Ad validation tests on AdMeIn

List of all Ad Validation tests - AdMeIn

Explore our ad validation tests designed to ensure your video ad tags comply with industry standards and function seamlessly across platforms

Ad Validation Tests

Below is a comprehensive list of all ad validation tests available on AdMeIn. These tests help ensure that your video ad tags comply with industry standards and function correctly across various platforms and devices.

For more detailed information on each test and how to interpret the results, please refer to our Help Center.

VAST Video Tags

VAST Version

Checks if the VAST version is supported and valid.
We currently support all versions of VAST: 2.0, 3.0, 4.0, 4.1, 4.2

Why we test this:

Different VAST versions introduce new elements and deprecate old ones. Testing ensures the XML structure and features align with the supported version, preventing compatibility issues with players and ad servers.

Media Files

Ensures media files are present and properly formatted.
We support various media file types including MP4, WebM, and Ogg.

Why we test this:

Media files are the core of any video ad. Testing ensures the file type, codec, bitrate, and delivery method meet player compatibility standards, preventing playback errors and poor viewing experiences.

Ad Duration

Validates that the ad duration is specified and reasonable.
We recommend a duration of 15–30 seconds for most ads.

Why we test this:

A defined duration helps players allocate correct playback time and manage ad pods efficiently. Missing or invalid durations can cause playback interruptions or failed ad requests.

Tracking Events

Checks for required tracking events and their correctness.
We support various tracking events including start, firstQuartile, midpoint, and complete.

Why we test this:

Tracking events provide essential performance metrics such as completion rate and viewer engagement. Missing or incorrect events lead to inaccurate analytics and reporting discrepancies.

Click Tracking

Verifies click tracking URLs are present.
Click tracking is essential for measuring ad engagement.

Why we test this:

Click tracking URLs record user interactions with the ad. Without proper click tracking, advertisers lose insight into engagement and campaign effectiveness, affecting billing and performance analysis.

Impression Tracking

Ensures impression tracking is implemented.
Impression tracking helps monitor ad views and performance.

Why we test this:

Impression tracking confirms when an ad has been served and viewed. It’s a critical metric for verifying delivery, preventing fraud, and ensuring accurate reporting to advertisers and publishers.

Companion Ads

Checks for valid companion ads if present.
Companion ads enhance user engagement alongside video ads.

Why we test this:

Companion ads extend the ad experience across formats and screens. Testing ensures they are correctly linked and formatted, avoiding display issues and maintaining creative consistency.

Ad System

Validates the AdSystem element.
AdSystem identifies the ad server or system that provided the ad.

Why we test this:

The AdSystem element provides transparency about the ad’s origin and helps with troubleshooting, analytics, and attribution across ad delivery chains.

API Framework

Checks for correct API framework usage.
Common API frameworks include VPAID and SIMID.

Why we test this:

The API framework defines how the creative interacts with the player. Testing ensures compatibility with supported frameworks, avoiding execution failures or blocked interactions on CTV and desktop environments.

Ad Sequence

Validates ad pod sequence numbers (for sequential ads).
Ensures ad sequence numbers are unique and properly ordered.

Why we test this:

Ad sequence testing guarantees that ads play in the intended order within a pod, ensuring storytelling, pacing, and compliance with campaign delivery requirements.

Sequence Timing

Checks total duration and timing of ad pods.
Ensures total ad pod duration is within acceptable limits.

Why we test this:

Proper sequence timing maintains a smooth viewing experience. Overly long or poorly timed ad pods can cause user drop-off, violate publisher limits, or fail ad insertion rules.

VMAP Version

Checks VMAP version (for VMAP tags).
We currently support VMAP 1.0.

Why we test this:

VMAP defines how ad breaks are scheduled in long-form content. Testing ensures compliance with supported VMAP standards, preventing scheduling conflicts or playback errors in ad stitching systems.

Ad Breaks

Validates ad breaks in VMAP.
Ensures ad breaks are properly defined and formatted.

Why we test this:

Ad breaks determine when and how ads appear during content playback. Validating them ensures correct structure, preventing missing mid-rolls or misaligned ad placements.

Ad Break Timing

Checks timing of ad breaks in VMAP.
Ad breaks should be scheduled at appropriate intervals.

Why we test this:

Properly timed ad breaks maintain viewer engagement and balance monetization with user experience. Poorly spaced breaks can lead to audience frustration or reduced ad revenue.

VAST References

Ensures VMAP ad breaks reference valid VAST tags.
We currently support VAST 2.0, 3.0, and 4.0+

Why we test this:

Each ad break in a VMAP should point to a valid VAST tag. Testing ensures referenced VAST URLs are accessible and well-formed, avoiding empty breaks or failed ad requests during playback.

VAST Video Tags

Video Duration Test

Test video duration to ensure it meets industry standards and delivers optimal performance across platforms.
Video duration is a critical factor in ad effectiveness. Different ad formats and platforms have varying optimal duration ranges to maximize viewer engagement.

Why we test this:

Video Duration test analysis value is total length of the video in seconds. For video ads, it is recommended to keep the duration between 3 to 60 seconds to maintain viewer engagement, where longer videos may lead to higher abandonment rates. For display ads, shorter durations of 15 to 30 seconds are often more effective. Display video ads exceeding 30 seconds may face heavy ad intervention.

Video Codec test

Test video codec to ensure it meets industry standards and delivers optimal performance across platforms.
Common video codecs include H.264 (AVC), H.265 (HEVC), VP8, VP9, and AV1. Using widely supported codecs ensures compatibility across various devices and platforms.

Why we test this:

Codec determines how video data is compressed and decompressed. Modern codecs like H.264 and H.265 offer better quality at lower bit rates compared to older codecs.

Video Frames Per Second test

Test video frames per second to ensure it meets industry standards and delivers optimal performance across platforms.
IAB does not mandate a specific frame rate for video ads but recommends using standard frame rates such as 23.976, 24, 25, 29.97, 30 fps to ensure compatibility across various devices and platforms.

Why we test this:

Value is how many frames per second (fps) your video plays. Standard frame rates are 23.976, 24, 25, 29.97, 30

Video Bitrate test

Test video bitrate to ensure it meets industry standards and delivers optimal performance across platforms.
Recommended bitrates vary based on ad format and resolution and frame rate. For example, a 1080p video for a CTV video ad might have a recommended bitrate range of 3,000 to 6,000 kbps, while a 720p video for a web display ad might be optimized between 1,500 to 3,000 kbps.

Why we test this:

Video Bit Rate test analysis (bitrate indicates video quality level) the higher the bit rate, the better the quality.

Video Resolution test

Test video resolution to ensure it meets industry standards and delivers optimal performance across platforms.
Common video resolutions used in advertising include 1920x1080 (Full HD), 1280x720 (HD), and 640x360 (SD). Higher resolutions provide better quality but require more bandwidth, so it is important to balance quality and performance based on the target platform and ad format.

Why we test this:

Video Resolution test analysis. Value is total pixel count (width * height).

Video File Size test

Test video file size to ensure it meets industry standards and delivers optimal performance across platforms.
There is no single IAB VAST file size standard; instead, the Interactive Advertising Bureau recommends providing multiple video files to optimize ad delivery for different connection speeds. The latest VAST 4.x specification emphasizes supplying low, medium, and high-quality options, as well as a "mezzanine" file, rather than enforcing a single file size limit.

Why we test this:

Video File Size test analysis describes the size of the video file in a human-readable format. The video file size is an important factor for ad delivery and user experience. Your video file size should be optimized to balance quality and loading times and sit within a minimum size of 500.00 KB and a maximum size of 2.00 MB for display ads and up to 10.00 MB for VAST video ads.

Video Aspect Ratio test

Accurate aspect ratios are essential for consistent visual rendering. Misaligned ratios can cause display issues, distortions, or rejections across ad delivery systems, ultimately reducing campaign effectiveness.
Common video aspect ratios include 16:9 (widescreen) and 4:3 (standard). Knowing the target platform’s requirements is crucial for optimal ad delivery.

Why we test this:

Video Aspect Ratio test analysis describes the proportional relationship between the width and height of the video. Common aspect ratios include 16:9 (widescreen) and 4:3 (standard). Using standard aspect ratios ensures compatibility across various devices and platforms, providing a better viewing experience.

Video Format test

Video File Format is the container that holds the video and metadata streams. Using a widely supported format ensures compatibility across different devices and platforms.
Best practices recommend using MP4 (with H.264 codec) for broad compatibility across web and mobile platforms. Other formats cause compatibility issues or unsupported playback issues.

Why we test this:

Video File Format test analysis checks if the video file format (e.g., MPEG-4, QuickTime) is supported for ad delivery.

Video Extension test

Test Video File Extension is the suffix at the end of a file name that indicates the file format..
Common video file extensions include .mp4, .webm, and .ogg. Using standard file extensions ensures compatibility across various devices and platforms.

Why we test this:

Video Extension test analysis checks if the video file extension (e.g., mp4, webm, ogg) is supported for ad delivery.

Video Moov Atom Location test

Test video Moov Atom location to ensure it meets industry standards and delivers optimal performance across platforms.
The MOOV atom should be located at the beginning of the file for optimal playback. This allows for faster streaming and playback start times by enabling the video player to access necessary metadata without downloading the entire file first.

Why we test this:

The MOOV atom contains important metadata for video files. It should be located at the beginning of the file for optimal playback. This allows for faster streaming and playback start times by enabling the video player to access necessary metadata without downloading the entire file first.

Video Color Space test

Video Color Space defines how colors are represented and displayed. Generally RGB (typically sRGB) is assumed, which is the standard color space for the internet and web-based content. sRGB is the de facto standard for web content, as it aligns with the broadcast standard for high-definition television (Rec. 709). The Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) does not mandate a universal color space standard. Instead, it provides contextual guidelines—favoring RGB (typically sRGB) for web display ads and YUV for video content. In digital video, industry standards commonly employ YUV chroma subsampling formats such as 4:2:0 or 4:2:2, with codec profiles like H.264 specifying further technical details.
Important Considerations: The specific color space and other technical requirements depend on the ad format (e.g., display vs. video) and the delivery platform (e.g., web vs. connected TV). The Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) does not mandate a universal color space standard. Instead, it provides contextual guidelines—favoring RGB (typically sRGB) for web display ads and YUV for video content. In digital video, industry standards commonly employ YUV chroma subsampling formats such as 4:2:0 or 4:2:2, with codec profiles like H.264 specifying further technical details.

Why we test this:

Color space defines how colors are represented and displayed. Common spaces include Rec. 709 (HD), Rec. 2020 (4K/HDR), and sRGB.

Video Scan Type test

Test video scan type to ensure it meets industry standards and delivers optimal performance across platforms.
Understanding the scan type can help optimize video content for its intended platform, ensuring the best possible viewing experience for the audience.

Why we test this:

Scan type indicates how the video frames are displayed. Progressive scan displays all lines in each frame sequentially, while interlaced scan alternates between odd and even lines. Progressive scan is preferred for online video content as it provides smoother motion and better quality on digital displays.