{"id":75967,"date":"2026-05-19T11:09:35","date_gmt":"2026-05-19T08:09:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/richads.com\/blog\/?p=75967"},"modified":"2026-06-24T16:06:54","modified_gmt":"2026-06-24T13:06:54","slug":"pre-roll-ads-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/richads.com\/blog\/pre-roll-ads-guide\/","title":{"rendered":"What Are Pre-Roll Ads and How Do They Work"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Video content is conquering and dominating the digital space. In 2026, over 80%<\/a> of users prefer watching videos to reading text, and affiliates can leverage this trend.\u00a0<\/p>\n

RichAds ad network<\/a> launches a new format – pre-roll video ads<\/a>. They are highly visible, engaging, and effective, and this guide covers everything you need to run successful pre-roll campaigns.<\/p>\n

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What are pre-roll ads?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Pre-roll ads<\/a> 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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"pre-roll<\/figure>\n\n\n
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\n \n Launch pre-roll ads on RichAds Premium traffic! <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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 \u2014 from $0.001 (CPC),
ad network offers large volumes of traffic in more than 200 geos from Tier 3 to Tier 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Examples of pre-roll video ads<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You’ve probably seen pre-roll video ads<\/a> on YouTube, Twitch, Vimeo, and other streaming and video platforms. They are also called in-stream ads<\/a> there.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are some of the examples:<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"pre-roll
Source: socialmediaexaminer.com<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
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\"twitter
Source: socialmediaexaminer.com<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
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\"pre-roll
Source: iebschool.com<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

How do pre-roll ads work?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The pre-roll ad appears in the video player when a user clicks to play a video. The ad comes first, so the user can’t miss it and has to watch either the full video or the first few seconds. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"pre-roll<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Pre-landing page examples for leading verticals<\/h3>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n
\n \n \"Pre-landing <\/a>\n
\n In the affiliate marketing pre-landing pages perform as a boost for ad campaigns, as they warm-up the audience for the offer and provide a first step to it. But what approaches exist for pre-landers? Do verticals affect the way a pre-lander should look?\r\nRichAds ad network<\/a>‘s team will get into prelanders for top verticals in the affiliate marketing, and determine how to utilise them. \n Continue reading<\/span>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n \n \"RichAds\n RichAds Blog<\/span>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Types of pre-roll video ads<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Pre-roll ads<\/a> come in two main formats: skippable and non-skippable. Each can be effective for specific campaign goals – let’s see what the difference is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Skippable video ads<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Skippable video ads<\/a> are pre-roll videos that the user can skip, usually after 5 seconds. This format is less annoying and very effective for most verticals<\/a> and offers.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"\"
Source: support.google.com<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Non-skippable pre-roll video<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"\"
Source: support.google.com<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Non-skippable ads<\/a> reach around 80%<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the RichAds ad network, you can get both options – we have publishers with skippable and non-skippable placements for maximum reach.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\n \n Launch your pre-roll campaign on RichAds now! <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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 \u2014 from $0.001 (CPC),
ad network offers large volumes of traffic in more than 200 geos from Tier 3 to Tier 1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Benefits of pre-roll advertising<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Pre-roll ads are a powerful performance channel, offering many advantages for affiliates and media buyers:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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100% viewability
High CTR
Storytelling format<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Precise targeting
Brand awareness
Cost-effectiveness<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

100% viewability<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

High CTR<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Video has the highest click-through rate among digital ad formats \u2014 around 1.84% on average. The combination of motion, sound, and a visible CTA button drives more clicks than static formats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Storytelling format<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s a major advantage for offers that need explanation or visual support, like Gambling<\/a>, Finance, and Software. Pre-roll videos are often used to show the casino game in action and real emotions of the winner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Precise targeting<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Most video ad networks<\/a> allow several targeting parameters to help you reach the right audience. At RichAds, you can target by GEO<\/a>, device type, OS, sources, and schedule. Thus, your ad reaches people who are most likely to be interested in your offer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Brand awareness<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cost-effectiveness<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

CPM for pre-roll ads<\/a> is typically 2-3 times lower than for popunder traffic<\/a>, yet it delivers stronger engagement. At the RichAds ad network<\/a>, pre-roll video CPMs start at $0.05<\/strong>, so you can try it even with a small budget.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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12 Best Affiliate Marketing Networks in 2026<\/h3>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n
\n \n \"12 <\/a>\n
\n Choosing a high-quality offer is always a challenge for any marketer, the level of expertise doesn\u2019t really matter.\r\n\r\nThe question is how to find the best of all affiliate networks with top-notch offers and conditions to never be mistaken? \n Continue reading<\/span>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n
\n \n \"RichAds\n RichAds Blog<\/span>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Video pre-roll advertising at RichAds<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

At the RichAds ad network, pre-roll ads are MP4 videos up to 30 seconds<\/strong> long, delivered on streaming content sites and video platforms. They use the CPM payment model and deliver great conversion rates for impulse-driven campaigns.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Top verticals for pre-roll ads<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Based on campaign performance data at RichAds<\/a>, pre-roll traffic works best for these verticals:<\/p>\n\n\n\n