quotad

Quotad is a term used in digital media and advertising to describe an advertisement presented in the form of a quotation or embedded within quoted text. It is typically associated with native advertising practices that aim to blend promotional content with surrounding material while preserving attribution to the sponsor.

In advertising technology and publishing, quotads often appear as pull-quote style blocks or inline quotes that carry a branded element. They may be served programmatically and targeted using contextual signals, with disclosure indicating the sponsored nature of the content. Common features include concise copy that resembles a quotation, a brief sponsor attribution, and a call to action or link, all designed to harmonize with editorial content without disrupting reader flow.

The term can also be used more broadly to describe any monetization unit that leverages quotation content. This includes sponsor messages placed near author bios, or quote-based brand messages included in newsletters and long-form articles. As a concept, quotads emphasize textual integrity and relevance, contrasting with traditional banner or media ads by relying on quotation context to guide engagement.

Etymology derives from a blend of “quote” and “advertisement,” reflecting the idea of ads that imitate or integrate quotation content. Usage definitions vary by platform, but the core idea is a quotation-aligned promotional unit that seeks to be informative and unobtrusive while clearly disclosing sponsorship.

See also: native advertising, sponsored content, pull-quote, quotation.