{"id":81832,"date":"2026-10-06T11:59:34","date_gmt":"2026-10-06T08:59:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/richads.com\/blog\/?p=81832"},"modified":"2026-10-06T13:08:58","modified_gmt":"2026-10-06T10:08:58","slug":"video-ad-types-and-formats","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/richads.com\/blog\/video-ad-types-and-formats\/","title":{"rendered":"13 Types of Video Ads and When to Use Each in 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Short overview:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are 13 main video ad types: seven in-stream, three out-stream, and three user-engagement-based. We’ll explain how each of them works and where to use it, and provide a comprehensive comparison table.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Types of video advertising: three ways to classify<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Video ad types get named in many ways, and the names usually overlap, making advertising more confusing. To keep things clear, we’ll sort the types of video advertising into three categories:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. By placement<\/strong> \u2014 where the video shows up. In-stream ads<\/a> run inside a video player. Out-stream ads run outside video content, for example, in an article, a feed, or a banner zone.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. By playback<\/strong> \u2014 how the ad treats the main video. Linear ads stop the content and play in its place. Non-linear ads sit on top of the content while the main video keeps playing.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. By user engagement<\/strong> \u2014 how the user meets the ad. Rewarded video pays the user for watching. Interstitial video opens full-screen. Native video blends into the surrounding content.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    You can mix these labels into compound names, like “in-stream linear” or “out-stream native”. But ultimately, all video ads are either in-stream or out-stream, so we discuss these two categories in detail.<\/p>\n\n\n

    \n
    \n
    \n \n Run video ads on the RichAds ad network! <\/a>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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    In-stream video ads: types and formats<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    In-stream is the first group of video ad types to know. These ads run on streaming platforms and video sites where users’ primary intent is to watch video \u2014 YouTube, Twitch, Vimeo, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    In-stream ads require a video player, and they show up inside or next to it. The viewer is already in “watch mode”, so they won’t miss the ad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    There are three sub-categories: linear, non-linear, and companion ads<\/strong>. Plus, linear and non-linear ads are each divided into three more types.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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

    Linear ads take over the entire video player and play in line with the content. They pause the main video, similar to TV commercials. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    This type of in-stream video ad is the most common and the one most relevant to affiliates. Usually, the ads play before the main video starts \u2014 they’re called pre-roll ads<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"linear<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

    Pre-roll videos are 15 to 30 seconds long and work well for brand awareness campaigns. The viewer has to watch for at least a few seconds before getting to their intended content, so visibility is guaranteed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    There are also mid-roll and post-roll ads among linear video ads. However, they are less popular.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    Top 20 Markets for Video Advertising and What They Cost<\/h3>\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n
    \n \n \"Top <\/a>\n
    \n Video is the fastest-growing ad format in 2026, and affiliates are increasingly shifting budgets to it. The main questions they face are where to buy video traffic and which GEO fits their offer.\nThis guide from the RichAds ad network<\/a> team covers those in detail. You’ll know the 20 best GEOs for video ads, their prices, traffic volumes, and top verticals that work there. \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

    Non-linear streaming ads<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

    Non-linear video ads don’t interrupt playback. They appear on top of the playing video as an overlay, letting the viewer keep watching while the ad is visible. Overlay ads are less intrusive, but they also have a lower impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The main non-linear formats are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n