adinsertion

Ad insertion is the practice of placing paid advertisements into media content or publications. In traditional broadcasting and print media, ads are inserted into program breaks or editorial pages. In digital media, ad insertion refers to embedding or delivering advertisements within on-demand or streaming content, live streams, podcasts, apps, or online publications. The goal is to monetize content by delivering relevant advertisements to audiences.

Common methods include client-side ad insertion (CSAI), where the viewer's device assembles the content and ads; server-side ad insertion (SSAI), where a server stitches ads into the content stream; and dynamic ad insertion (DAI), which enables real-time ad selection and personalization. Formats include pre-roll, mid-roll, post-roll video ads; audio ads inserted into podcasts or streams; display or overlay ads interspersed with content; and sponsorships or branded segments.

Technologies involved include ad servers, demand-side platforms (DSPs), and supply-side platforms (SSPs), along with programmatic advertising ecosystems. Measurement typically uses impressions, views, completion rates, and revenue metrics such as CPM. Privacy and consent considerations apply, particularly under regulations like GDPR and CCPA, and advertisers seek to manage brand safety and viewability.

Challenges include potential negative impact on user experience, latency in ad delivery, ad blocking, and the risk of fraud or misalignment with content. Dynamic ad insertion can improve targeting but may also create synchronization issues with content or introduce jarring ad breaks if not implemented carefully.

See also: dynamic ad insertion, programmatic advertising, digital advertising, advertising standards.