Rich Media Ads
How Rich Media Ads Work
YouTube rich media banners run across limited areas of the site. We accept expandable and polite download formats only. Two banner dimensions are allowed: the Large Rectangle (300x250) and the Wide Skyscraper (160x600).
Note: Expandables are currently accepted for US properties only.
Approved Rich Media Vendors
Atlas, BlueStreak, EyeBlaster, EyeReturn, EyeWonder, Interpolis, DoubleClick Rich Media, MediaPlex, PointRoll
Creative Submission
Submissions should include advertiser and agency, IO number, campaign name, and detailed trafficking instructions.
Turnaround Time
Assets for these units should be received by YouTube no later than FOUR business days prior to campaign start date and sent to both Account Coordinator and Media Coordinator.
Additional Details
- All fees from rich media vendors must be paid by advertiser or agency. YouTube does not cover rich media fees.
- We will not be able to accept pop-ups, floating ads, pre-expanded ads, or any ads with uninitiated audio or video.
- No expandable ads are allowed on watch, premium watch, or partner pages.
Expandable Format
Technical Specifications
- Units available: 160x600 & 300x250
- Maximum file size: 50KB initial download, 200K additional per panel
- Maximum frame rate: 20 frames per second
- Maximum animation on initial panel: 15 seconds
- Maximum expansion size: 160x600: 480x600, 300x250: 560x250
- Expansion direction: all panels must expand to the left
Additional Requirements
- Audio and video must be user-initiated on click.
- Video must be true streaming, maximum of 10 minutes.
- Panels must expand on user click only, not rollover.
- Panels may retract on mouse out OR click to close.
- Must contain prominent play, stop, pause, and mute buttons.
- Must contain prominent close buttons on panels.
Note: Expandables are currently accepted for US properties only.
Polite Download Format
Technical Specifications
- Units available: 160x600 & 300x250
- Maximum file size: 50KB initial download, 1.2MB additional subsequent file size
- Maximum frame rate: 20 frames per second
- Maximum animation: 15 seconds
Additional Requirements
- Polite load (if not finished) should stop immediately when the user moves away from the page and can only begin once the new page has downloaded and/or when the ad is served again.
- Audio and video must be user-initiated on click.
- Video must be true streaming, maximum of 10 minutes.
- Must contain prominent play, stop, pause, and mute buttons.
Note: Expandables are currently accepted for US properties only.