outstream

Outstream refers to a type of video advertisement that plays outside of traditional video players. Unlike instream ads that appear before, during, or after video content embedded within a player, outstream ads appear in non-video environments such as article pages, homepage carousels, or within app feeds. These units typically load within a page and start playing when they become visible in the viewport, often muted by default.

Outstream formats include in-article video, in-feed video, and between-content video placements, as well as sticky or footer auto-playing units. They are commonly delivered programmatically and served in iframes to isolate the video from surrounding page content. Sound is usually user-activated, and many implementations include a visible mute control or a button to toggle audio.

Advantages include the ability to monetize non-video content and reach audiences in contexts where video players are not present. They can improve reach and scale and are typically mobile-friendly, occupying standard ad slots within editorial layouts.

Challenges and considerations include varying viewability and attention, dependence on page scroll behavior, potential for user ad avoidance, and brand-safety concerns. Measurement relies on standard video metrics such as impressions, viewability, and completed views, with adherence to IAB or equivalent standards.