What are pre-roll ads?
Pre-roll ads are short video ads that play before the main content a user is about to watch. They last no longer than 30 seconds; however, some options come with a “Skip” button after five seconds.
Pre-roll video meaning
As you can guess from the pre-roll ad definition, the pre-roll video appears in the player when a user clicks to play a content they intend to watch. Pre-roll comes first, so the user can’t miss it and has to watch either the full video or the first few seconds.
The pre-roll video ad includes an icon, a title, a domain, and a CTA button that lets the user learn more about the offer. Once they click, they go to your landing page and complete the conversion.
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.
Types of pre-roll video ads
When we talk about what is a pre-roll ad, we must mention two main types: skippable and non-skippable. Each can be effective for specific campaign goals – let’s see what the difference is.
Skippable pre-roll ads meaning
Skippable ads are pre-roll videos that the user can skip, usually after 5 seconds. This format is less annoying and very effective for most verticals and offers.
These ads help you filter your audience and achieve a higher CR. Users who keep watching beyond the 5-second mark are genuinely interested, so you work with quality, converting traffic.
The only challenge with skippable ads is that you have only a few seconds to hook the viewer, and most ads get skipped. You need a strong message and a really catchy visual to grab attention and drive users to your landing page.
Non-skippable pre-roll video meaning
As the name suggests, these ads don’t provide a skip option. The viewer has to watch the full video before proceeding to the main content.
Non-skippable ads reach around 80% completion rates because every viewer sees your full message. However, a non-skippable format is more irritating and requires precise targeting to reach only interested users. That’s why most platforms offer skippable pre-roll promotions.
At the RichAds ad network, you can get both options – we have publishers with skippable and non-skippable placements for maximum reach.
Examples of pre-roll video ads
You’ve probably seen pre-roll video ads on YouTube, Twitch, Vimeo, and other streaming and video platforms. Here are some of the examples:
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.
Benefits of pre-roll advertising
Pre-roll ads are a powerful performance channel, offering many advantages for affiliates and media buyers:
100% viewability
High CTR
Storytelling format
Precise targeting
Brand awareness
Cost-effectiveness
100% viewability
Pre-roll video can’t be ignored or affected by banner blindness. The ads appear inside the video player, and the user’s attention is already on the screen, so every impression is a real view.
High CTR
Video has the highest click-through rate among digital ad formats — around 1.84% on average. The combination of motion, sound, and a visible CTA button drives more clicks than static formats.
Storytelling format
Video lets you entertain and engage users faster. You can demonstrate a product, explain benefits, and create an emotional bond in just 15-30 seconds. Other ad formats can’t do that.
It’s a major advantage for offers that need explanation or visual support, like Gambling, Finance, and Software. Pre-roll videos are often used to show the casino game in action and real emotions of the winner.
Precise targeting
Most ad networks allow several targeting parameters to help you reach the right audience. At RichAds, you can target by GEO, device type, OS, sources, and schedule. Thus, your ad reaches people who are most likely to be interested in your offer.
Brand awareness
Pre-roll video is a good branding tool. It can introduce your product to the audience and warm up cold traffic before they get to your offer page.
Cost-effectiveness
CPM for pre-roll ads is typically 2-3 times lower than for popunder traffic, yet it delivers stronger engagement. At the RichAds ad network, pre-roll video CPMs start at $0.05, so you can try it even with a small budget.
Top verticals for pre-roll ads
Based on campaign performance data at RichAds, pre-roll traffic works best for these verticals:
- Gambling
- Betting
- Dating
- Gaming
Pre-roll ads perform well here because the audience is already used to video content and actively watches various streams and video reviews, making them potentially interested in your offer.
Best GEOs for pre-roll video ads
Pre-roll ad traffic is available globally; however, top-performing regions include:
| Country | Daily impressions, million | Average CPM, $ |
|---|---|---|
| India | 20 | 0.065 |
| Indonesia | 6 | 0.065 |
| Brazil | 5,5 | 0.9 |
| Philippines | 4 | 0.1 |
| United Kingdom | 3 | 0.536 |
| Canada | 3 | 0.568 |
| Thailand | 2,5 | 0.171 |
| Australia | 1,5 | 0.743 |
| Pakistan | 1 | 0.3 |
RichAds ad network’s team regularly posts actual info on top GEOs and verticals for our popular formats – check the latest report to stay up to date.
Engaging pre-roll ad definition
Now you know what are pre-roll ads and where to run pre-roll traffic, but to succed you need in-depth marketing knowledge and creativity.
The best video creative catches attention from the first seconds and encourages users to click and learn more about the product. Consider a bold statement or something unexpected to engage the user instantly. Also, mention your goal action early – everything important in the first seconds – then reinforce it at the end. The CTA button also should tell the user exactly what happens when they click: “Get Offer”, “Try Free”, “Sign Up Now”.
You can use Canva, Promo, Animoto, or similar creation platforms, or order production from an outsourcing service. Some advertisers can provide video materials on request.
As a result, you need a short video, 10 to 30 seconds, in MP4 format, up to 20 MB. Aspect ratio is up to 16:9, resolution up to 1920×1080.
We also recommend testing different video creatives, titles, and CTAs. You never know in advance what will convert, so you must try all available options.
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.
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