How does a brand configure vertical video ad placements and frequency?
Configuring where and how often vertical video ads appear is one of the most critical levers in monetization.
With the right setup, brands can:
- Maximize revenue without overwhelming users
- Control ad fatigue by spacing ads intelligently
- Deliver seamless, mobile-first experiences aligned with vertical feeds
- Balance engagement and monetization across communities and groups
Poor configuration can lead to drop-offs, lower engagement, and reduced ad performance, while optimized frequency ensures sustainable revenue growth.
Guide — Step-by-Step
Step 1: Navigate to Ad Configuration
Go to: Brand Control Center > Settings > Ad Configuration
This is where all ad placements and frequency settings are managed via Monetization Presets.
Step 2: Create or Select a Preset
- Choose an existing preset (e.g., balanced, aggressive) OR
- Click + New Preset to create a custom configuration
Use presets to define different monetization strategies across placements.
Step 3: Select Placements & Embeds
Choose where vertical video ads should appear:
- Brand feed
- Community feeds
- Group feeds
- Embedded players
Important Logic: Ads will only appear where:
- The preset is assigned, AND
- The placement/embed is selected
Step 4: Configure In-Feed Ad Placement (Vertical Video Cards)
Enable In-Feed Ads and define:
| Setting | What it Controls |
|---|---|
| Start Slot | Position of first ad in the feed (e.g., 2 = 2nd card) |
| Repeat Frequency | Number of content items between ads |
Example:
- Start Slot = 2
- Repeat Frequency = 4
Ads appear at: 2, 6, 10, 14...
This controls how vertical video ads are spaced within scrolling feeds.
Step 5: Configure Ad Types & Priority
Enable vertical video ad formats:
- Video Ads (programmatic)
- Sponsored Posts (if using vertical video content)
Set priority using drag-and-drop:
- Higher priority = served first
- Lower priority = fallback
Step 6: Configure In-Stream Ad Frequency (Within Video Playback)
Enable In-Stream Ads and define:
| Setting | What it Controls |
|---|---|
| Start Content Video | Which video triggers the first in-stream ad |
| Repeat Frequency | Interval for subsequent in-stream ads |
Example:
- Start Content Video = 2
- Repeat Frequency = 2
Ads trigger on videos: 2, 4, 6, 8...
Then choose:
- Pre-roll (before video)
- Mid-roll (during video)
- Post-roll (after video)
Step 7: Set Ad Experience Controls
Optimize how vertical ads behave:
| Control | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Aspect Ratio | Match video player ratio (ensures vertical 9:16) |
| Mute on Start | ON for better UX in feed |
| Duration Display | ON for transparency |
Step 8: Review Feed Preview
Use the real-time preview panel to:
- Visualize ad positions (1-15 slots)
- Check spacing and density
- Validate user experience before saving
Step 9: Save and Assign Preset
- Click Save
- Assign preset to:
- Placements
- Embeds
Ads will now render based on your defined frequency and placement rules.
Specs & Limitations
Placement Rules
| Rule | Behavior |
|---|---|
| Placement dependency | Ads render only on assigned placements |
| Environment targeting | Ads shown only on selected platforms (Web, iOS, Android, Mobile Web) |
| Preview limit | Shows first 15 positions only |
Frequency Rules
| Rule | Behavior |
|---|---|
| Start Slot range | 1–10 |
| Repeat Frequency | 1–10 |
| Slot calculation | Start Slot + (Repeat × N) |
| No-fill scenario | Slot collapses or fallback content shown |
Ad Rendering Constraints
| Rule | Behavior |
|---|---|
| Priority-based serving | Highest priority ad type served first |
| Fallback logic | House content used if no ad fill |
| In-stream dependency | Only triggers on configured videos |
Example Scenarios
1. Balanced Monetization Setup
- Start Slot: 3
- Repeat Frequency: 5
- Ads spaced evenly, minimal disruption
2. High Revenue (Aggressive) Setup
- Start Slot: 2
- Repeat Frequency: 2
- Frequent ads, higher monetization but higher fatigue
3. Premium Experience Setup
- Start Slot: 5
- Repeat Frequency: 6
- Content-first experience with limited ads
FAQs
1. How do I decide the right frequency?
- High engagement - increase frequency
- Premium UX - reduce frequency
2. Can I configure different frequencies for different platforms?
Yes. Use Custom Environment Settings to define platform-specific configurations.
3. What happens if no ad is available?
- SDK tries next ad type
- Falls back to house content
- Or removes the slot
4. Can placements have different presets?
Yes. Each placement/embed can be assigned a different preset.
5. Do frequency settings apply to all ad types?
Yes, but: In-Feed and In-Stream have separate frequency controls
