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Skin ad zones

Applies to: Publishers

A skin zone puts an advertiser's background image behind your whole page — the "site takeover" look where the page content sits in the middle and the ad fills the space around it. It is a high-impact format that needs no space in your layout.

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

What this is#

A skin ad zone attaches a background creative to an element of your page — normally the body, so the skin covers the whole page behind your content. Clicking the background opens the advertiser's page. Your content stays readable on top.

When you'll use this#

  • Your site has a fixed-width layout with empty space left and right on desktop — that space earns nothing until a skin fills it.
  • An advertiser wants a high-visibility takeover for a campaign or event.
  • You want one more placement without adding a box to your layout.

Settings#

A skin zone has no type-specific settings in the zone editor — only the general ones (name, website, category, options) covered in Ad Zones. Where the skin attaches is set in the code (see below).

Getting the code#

Save the zone and copy its code from the Ad Zone Code tab. With the Ad Controller the code looks like:

<script>goCtrl.add({"plugin":"skin","bindto":"body","sid":YOUR_ZONE_ID,"subid":""});</script>

bindto is the element the skin attaches to. body covers the whole page, which is what you usually want. Point it at a wrapper element instead if your layout has a fixed-width container that should keep its own background. See Getting Your Ad Code.

Selling it#

Skin zones accept CPM, flat-rate (direct deal) and run-of-network (RON) campaigns. Skins are a natural fit for flat-rate takeovers: one advertiser, a fixed period, a fixed price.

Tips#

  • Check your page on a wide desktop screen: the skin only shows where your content doesn't cover the background.
  • Give your content area a solid background colour so text stays readable over any skin.
  • On mobile there's usually no side space, so expect most skin impressions and clicks from desktop.

Troubleshooting#

Symptom Likely cause Fix
The skin is hidden Your page or a wrapper sets its own full-width background over it. Point bindto at the element whose background should show the skin, or make the covering element transparent.
The skin looks small or doesn't fill the screen Skins are served from the advertiser's uploaded image at its own size; very large full-screen skin backgrounds aren't supported yet. Advertisers should upload wide skin images (sized for desktop).
Nothing shows at all No skin campaigns target the visitor, or the advertiser's skin wasn't uploaded as an image creative. Skins serve only from an uploaded creative, not from an image link; check Publisher Statistics for requests vs. impressions.