IABstandard

IABStandard is not a single formal specification; rather, it is a shorthand sometimes used to refer to the collection of digital advertising standards developed by the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) and its affiliated Tech Lab. The term is used in documentation to denote compliance with IAB-defined guidelines intended to ensure interoperability, quality, and privacy across ad formats and platforms.

The IAB Tech Lab publishes a range of specifications that collectively form what some call the IABStandard. Prominent examples include the Video Ad Serving Template (VAST) for video ads, the Video Player-Ad Interface Definition (VPAID), and the Open Measurement standard, which provides third-party measurement integration across vendors. The organization also maintains protocols for programmatic trading, such as OpenRTB, and inventory transparency measures like ads.txt and app-ads.txt.

Standards generally go through a public review and revision process, are versioned, and require industry participants to implement compatible interfaces and data contracts. Compliance is typically voluntary but often becomes de facto requirements for participation in major ad exchanges and publisher networks.

Impact and considerations: The IABStandard ecosystem aims to improve interoperability, measurement integrity, and user privacy. It evolves in response to changing technologies (HTML5, mobile, connected TV) and regulatory landscapes (privacy laws, ad-blocking, consent).

See also: IAB Tech Lab, VAST, VPAID, Open Measurement, OpenRTB, Ads.txt.

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