Pre-roll video ads are among the most effective affiliate formats for promoting offers at scale. But not every video ad works well.
To help you understand how to make a really good ad, we’ve gathered 16 pre-roll ad examples broken down by vertical.
Why pre-roll ads work in 2026
Pre-roll in-stream ads play before the video content a user actually wants to watch. They can be skippable when a user watches only a few seconds, and non-skippable when they have to watch the ad until the end. Either way, you don’t have much time to explain the offer, so there are no second chances.
However, video ads have one significant advantage: they get users’ attention by default. The person is already in “watch mode” and can’t scroll away. So your ad will be 100% seen.
But will it convert? That depends on creativity and targeting quality. Some pre-roll advertising examples rely on story, some on humor, some on hard facts. Let’s see what works for various affiliate verticals.
What is RichAds?
Ad network for telegram ads,
high quality push and popunder ads,
domain redirect, native and display traffic source,
buy push ads at $0.005 (CPC), pop ads at $0.5 (CPM),
domain ads costs start from $1.5 (CPM), native ads — from $0.001 (CPC),
ad network offers large volumes of traffic in more than 200 geos from Tier 3 to Tier 1.
Gambling pre-roll ad examples
Gambling ads need to build trust fast, since users are deciding whether to hand over their money and personal details. These two pre-roll ad examples do that in different ways: one through proof, another through emotion.
1. Pre-roll ad showing the casino in action
The ad goes straight into the casino interface, skipping the story. It shows the viewer exactly what they’re getting when they click — the games library, the spin button, the cashout screen, and the bonus claim process.
Why it works
Gambling users want confidence before they download an app or register. Showing real interface footage removes doubt.
It also works well as a retargeting format, since people who already showed interest sometimes only need reassurance that the platform is easy to use.
2. Video ad with celebrity and big win focus
As with static push and pop ads, using a known face in your pre-roll ads is an effective strategy. The ad doesn’t need to explain the platform in detail. It leans entirely on emotion: excitement, wonder, celebration, and big wins.
Why it works
Trust transfers from the celebrity to the brand, and the big win promises trigger curiosity.
This format performs especially well in GEOs where celebrity endorsement carries strong weight, such as many Asian and Latin American markets.
Betting pre-roll ad examples
The Betting audience is usually emotional and risk-tolerant. However, it’s not uniform. Some bettors enjoy the thrill of making the bet and waiting for the results; others take Betting seriously, calculating odds and researching options.
These pre-roll advertising examples take different approaches to cover both cases.
1. Movie-style story ad
Instead of pitching odds or bonuses right away, this video ad opens like a short film. It’s a story with characters and a developing plot. The Betting offer only appears at the very end, once the viewer is already hooked and wants to know how the story resolves.
Why it works
Skip rates drop significantly when the first 5 seconds create a “what happens next” feeling. This is one of the strongest video ad best practices in the Betting vertical, since it turns a sales pitch into entertainment.
2. Match-specific video ad
This ad is built around a single tournament — the World Cup — and speaks directly to fans, offering good chances to win. It focuses on relevance and the user’s knowledge of the game.
Why it works
Timing and specificity beat general messaging. A fan who’s already excited about a match is far more likely to act on an offer tied to that exact event.
Dating pre-roll ad examples
Dating offers sell a feeling more than a product. However, it’s not always about the emotional response. We found two video ad examples that show various approaches.
1. Emotional connection pre-roll ad
This ad shows the feeling of finding a real connection: two people laughing, hugging, and kissing. It shows the result of using a dating app, the emotional payoff of the product.
Why it works
Dating ads convert better when they sell the outcome rather than the app itself, because that’s what people are actually looking for. This is one of the clearest video ad examples of selling a feeling, and it triggers emotional clicks.
2. Feature-focused ad
This ad hooks with a specific, less-common feature — a double-date matching option — and shows why a user may need it in a fun, relatable scenario.
Why it works
Standing out matters in a crowded dating app market. A unique feature gives affiliates a fresh angle. Instead of repeating the same “find your match” message every competitor uses, here’s a fun, colorful visual that users will remember.
What is RichAds?
Ad network for telegram ads,
high quality push and popunder ads,
domain redirect, native and display traffic source,
buy push ads at $0.005 (CPC), pop ads at $0.5 (CPM),
domain ads costs start from $1.5 (CPM), native ads — from $0.001 (CPC),
ad network offers large volumes of traffic in more than 200 geos from Tier 3 to Tier 1.
Gaming pre-roll ad examples
Gaming audiences respond well to video ads because they’re used to this format. Generally, you don’t need storytelling or a complex visual idea. These pre-roll ad examples show how simple clips can deliver high CR.
1. UGC-style ad
This ad looks like a reel you’d see on social media. It brings gaming into real life, gets you interested, and you realize it was an ad only at the end.
Why it works
UGC-style content feels authentic, which builds trust faster than polished studio ads. It also fits naturally into video platforms where users already expect casual, unscripted content.
2. Classic gameplay ad
The simplest format on this list: pure gameplay footage. No story, no scenario, just showing what the game looks and feels like in motion.
Why it works
Players often just want to see the mechanics before deciding to download. Simplicity here is efficiency.
E-Commerce pre-roll ad examples
Prices, stock variability, convenience, and service are the main factors assessed by E-commerce shoppers. That’s what you need to express in your video ads, but you can do it in many ways.
Check out two pre-roll advertising examples targeting the E-commerce audience differently.
1. Product and price showcase
A straightforward walkthrough of the items and their prices gives the viewer a quick sense of the variety and affordability. It’s a quick catalog scroll set to music.
Why it works
Price transparency reduces hesitation. Shoppers always compare offers, so showing your products and prices speeds up their decision.
2. Animated video ad
This pre-roll turns an everyday shopping experience into something magical. You see animated characters, a whimsical world, and products appearing by the wave of a wand.
Why it works
Creativity always stands out visually against a sea of standard product ads. This approach works especially well for lifestyle, beauty, or gift-focused e-commerce offers where emotion drives the purchase.
What is RichAds?
Ad network for telegram ads,
high quality push and popunder ads,
domain redirect, native and display traffic source,
buy push ads at $0.005 (CPC), pop ads at $0.5 (CPM),
domain ads costs start from $1.5 (CPM), native ads — from $0.001 (CPC),
ad network offers large volumes of traffic in more than 200 geos from Tier 3 to Tier 1.
Nutra pre-roll ad examples
Nutra offers depend on believability, and nothing works better than video proof. These two video ad examples build trust through personal stories and real-life experiences.
1. Ad with real stories
Nutra ads showcasing real people sharing their weight-loss journeys are the most converting. Even static formats, like popunders with before-and-after photos, can convince people, let alone videos.
Why it works
Testimonial-style content converts well in Nutra because viewers are looking for proof, and the video format feels really believable.
2. Happy life ad
This ad uses bright colors, simple visuals, and happy faces to show supplements as part of a positive daily routine.
Why it works
This approach triggers an emotional, feel-good response. It shows the outcome as a good mood and a happy life, without medical framing.
Best pre-roll ad examples from top brands
When you’re looking for video ad best practices, it’s wise to check the ads from the most renowned brands – they know what to do. These are some of the best pre-roll advertising examples out there, from which you can learn something useful.
Burger King pre-roll ads
Their ads are funny first. The viewer doesn’t feel sold to; they feel entertained, and that emotional connection is exactly why the message sticks.
Toyota pre-roll ads
This Toyota video ad is iconic, because it’s built around the short time limit. Instead of trying to win more time, they make those 5 seconds their creative advantage.
What is RichAds?
Ad network for telegram ads,
high quality push and popunder ads,
domain redirect, native and display traffic source,
buy push ads at $0.005 (CPC), pop ads at $0.5 (CPM),
domain ads costs start from $1.5 (CPM), native ads — from $0.001 (CPC),
ad network offers large volumes of traffic in more than 200 geos from Tier 3 to Tier 1.
Geico video ads
Geico proves that simplicity wins. The message is delivered right away, and the ad doesn’t feel annoying.
ASPCA video ads
Their one famous ad uses an unexpected emotional angle that makes people watch till the end. It plays on humanity and ties directly to the organization’s mission, which makes the message far more memorable than a standard pitch.
Tips for affiliates: how to create converting pre-roll ads
Looking across all these pre-roll ad examples, a few patterns repeat:
- Hook fast. The first few seconds decide whether a user skips or stays. One of the best practices in video ads: say what matters right away.
- Match the approach to the vertical. Gambling and Betting audiences respond to thrill and authority; Dating and Nutra audiences respond to emotion; Gaming audiences respond to authenticity; and E-commerce shoppers respond to simplicity and a straightforward approach.
- Don’t overload the message. The strongest pre-roll advertising examples deliver one clear idea. You just don’t have much time for several angles.
- Test many directions. The right ad style depends on the offer, GEO, and audience, and you never know in advance what will work. Story-driven or straightforward, feature-focused or emotional, launch several ad creatives to find the best option.
Conclusion
These 16 pre-roll ad examples can be your starting point. Take inspiration and test variations against your traffic. At the RichAds ad network, you can add up to 5 video creatives to each campaign. With our advanced optimization tools and personal manager support, you can successfully capitalize on pre-roll video advertising in any vertical.
What is RichAds?
Ad network for telegram ads,
high quality push and popunder ads,
domain redirect, native and display traffic source,
buy push ads at $0.005 (CPC), pop ads at $0.5 (CPM),
domain ads costs start from $1.5 (CPM), native ads — from $0.001 (CPC),
ad network offers large volumes of traffic in more than 200 geos from Tier 3 to Tier 1.
FAQ on video ad best practices
The strongest pre-roll advertising examples grab attention in the first few seconds and make you want to watch till the end. Top approaches are straight-to-the-point delivery, leveraging celebrity and authority, real-life experience, and storytelling.
The RichAds ad network’s experts recommend checking out big brands’ commercials — Burger King, Toyota, Geico — to learn working angles.
The main factors are a fast hook, a clear message, bright visuals, and a relatable scenario that fits the audience’s behavior.
Successful ads either deliver value immediately or build enough curiosity that skipping feels like missing out. Both approaches deliver high CR.
Generally, 15 seconds works best. Since most platforms let viewers skip after 5 seconds, the core message needs to land before then, but if users watch to the end, the ad shouldn’t be too long anyway.
30 seconds is the maximum length. Anything longer risks rejection unless the content is genuinely engaging.
At the RichAds ad network, top verticals for pre-roll advertising are Gambling, Betting, Dating, and Gaming. These niches are emotion-driven, and audiences there respond well to visual triggers. Plus, video creatives provide a great opportunity to show the product in action or the outcome of its use, which is important for building trust.
Based on the best pre-roll ad examples, the RichAds ad network experts identified 4 main rules:
- Lead with the hook.
- Match the ad style to the vertical’s audience intent.
- Keep one message per ad.
- Always test various approaches.
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