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Native ad zones

Applies to: Publishers

Native zones show ads that look like part of your content: a grid or list of image-and-headline items styled with your own fonts and colours. This page covers Native Ads, the Native Bar, the Creator Widget and Native WebPush zones.

Your network decides which ad zone types it offers. If a type below isn't in the type list when you create a zone, it isn't switched on for your network.

What this is#

  • Native Ads — a block of items (image, title, description) in rows and columns inside your page, like "recommended for you" boxes.
  • Native Bar — a slim strip of promoted items docked to an edge of the screen.
  • Creator Widget — portrait-format items promoting content creators, optionally as a scrolling carousel; items can play a short video on hover.
  • Native WebPush — notification-styled native items shown on your page (not real browser notifications — those are Push Ads).

When you'll use this#

  • Your readers ignore banners but read your content — native items blend in and tend to get more clicks.
  • You have a content feed, article footer or sidebar where a list of recommendations fits.
  • Use the bar or WebPush when you want a small, persistent unit that doesn't change your layout.

Settings#

Native Ads (and Creator Widget)#

Setting What it does Default
Image Orientation Landscape, Portrait or Square images. Set when you create the zone and shown read-only afterwards. Landscape
Ad Width / Ad Height (px) The size of the whole block. Native Ads only. 300 x 250
Total Rows / Total Columns How many items the block shows. Not on the Creator Widget. 3 rows, 1 column
Font size / Font Family Text style of the items. 12, Verdana
Background Color, Text Block border color, Title Color, Text Color, Link Color Colours, as hex values, so the block matches your site. White background, black text

Creator Widget only:

Setting What it does Default
Run in Carousel Mode Items scroll as a carousel instead of a static row. On
Hide Title / Hide Description Show only the image. Off
Play video on hover When a creator ad carries a video, it plays muted on hover instead of the still image; the clip only downloads once a visitor hovers. On

Native Bar#

Setting What it does Default
Position Top Left, Top Right, Left Middle or Right Middle. Top Left
Top margin Distance from the top, for the top positions. 0
Total Items How many items the bar shows. 1
Font Family and the five colours As for Native Ads. Verdana, white / black

Native WebPush#

Setting What it does Default
Position Top Right, Top Left, Center, Bottom Right or Bottom Left. Top Right
Top margin For the top positions. 0
Total Items How many notification-style items show. 1
Font Family and the five colours As for Native Ads. Verdana, white / black

A separate Web Push zone type has no settings in the zone editor. To send real notifications to visitors who subscribed, use Push Ads.

Getting the code#

Save the zone and copy the code from its Ad Zone Code tab into the spot where the block should appear; the bar and WebPush only need the script, as they position themselves. See Getting Your Ad Code and, for the Creator Widget's item template, the Ad Controller.

Selling it#

Native Ads, Native Bar and Native WebPush accept CPM, flat-rate (direct deal) and run-of-network (RON) campaigns. The Creator Widget accepts flat-rate and RON. Native Ads zones can also be used in Smart Zones.

Tips#

  • Match the colours and font to your site — a native block that looks foreign performs like a banner.
  • Start with 3 to 6 items; more items per block lowers the earnings per item.
  • Portrait orientation suits mobile feeds; landscape suits desktop sidebars.

Troubleshooting#

Symptom Likely cause Fix
Fewer items than you set Not enough native campaigns match the visitor. Normal at low traffic; earnings per shown item are unaffected.
I can't change the orientation It is fixed after creation. Create a new zone with the orientation you need.
Colours don't apply A hex value is invalid. Use full hex values like #1a1a2e; the editor rejects invalid colours on save.
Creator items show no video The ad has no video, or Play video on hover is off. Switch it on; only creatives with a video play.