> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.aiderx.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Creative Types

> Learn how to register and manage banner, video, and native ad creatives.

## Who is this guide for?

This guide is for anyone registering ad creatives with an **Advertiser** or **Admin** account.

* You want to register a banner image ad
* You want to register a video ad
* You want to register a native (in-feed, natural-looking) ad

***

## Before you begin

<Note>
  The following requirements must be met:

  * Access to the A2 admin console (Creative read/write permission)
  * A **campaign must already be created** to register the creative under
  * The **ad image or video file** to register must be ready
</Note>

***

## What is a creative?

A creative is **the ad content that users actually see**.

For example:

* A **banner image** shown on a web page
* A **video ad** that plays before a video
* A **product card** that blends in between pieces of content

```mermaid theme={null}
flowchart LR
    A[Campaign] --> B[Register creative]
    B --> C[Placement allocation]
    C --> D[Ad impression]
```

***

## Choosing a creative type (Creative Types)

The A2 platform supports three creative types.

| Type | English | Description | Best for |
| - | - | - | - |
| **Banner** | Banner | Static image ad | Fast production, a wide range of placements |
| **Video** | Video | Video ad | Brand storytelling, detailed explanations |
| **Native** | Native | Ad that blends in with the content | Natural exposure, product recommendations |

***

## Registering a banner creative

Banners are the most common ad format and use an **image file**.

### Step 1: Create the creative

1. In the **Campaigns** menu, select the campaign to register the creative under.
2. On the **Creatives** tab, click **Create New Creative**.
3. Select **Banner** as the creative type.

### Step 2: Upload the image

There are two ways to register an image:

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="File upload">
    Upload the image in the **Media Library**.

    1. Click **Select Image**.
    2. Choose an image file from your computer.
    3. When the upload finishes, the image is registered.

    **Supported formats**: JPG, PNG, GIF, WEBP **Recommended size**: 500 KB or less (for faster loading)
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Enter URL">
    If the image is hosted externally, enter its URL directly.

    1. Select **Enter URL Directly**.
    2. Enter the image URL.
    3. Check the image preview.

    <Warning>
      If the URL expires or becomes inaccessible, the ad will not be shown.
    </Warning>
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

### Step 3: Set the size

| Field | English | Description |
| - | - | - |
| **Width** | Width | Image width (pixels) |
| **Height** | Height | Image height (pixels) |

<Tip>
  When you upload an image, its size is detected automatically.
</Tip>

### Common banner sizes

| Name | Size | Typical location |
| - | - | - |
| Leaderboard | 728 x 90 | Top or bottom of the page |
| Medium Rectangle | 300 x 250 | Next to content, sidebar |
| Skyscraper | 160 x 600 | Sidebar |
| Billboard | 970 x 250 | Top of the page |
| Mobile Banner | 320 x 50 | Top or bottom on mobile |

<Note>
  **Using size templates**

  The A2 platform provides predefined ad templates in a variety of sizes and specifications:

  * **IAB standards**: Sizes defined by the [IAB (Interactive Advertising Bureau)](https://www.iab.com/), the global digital advertising standards body, are pre-registered on the platform. You can easily select creatives in standardized sizes.
  * **Custom templates**: You can register your own size specifications and use them as templates. This is convenient for setting up sizes tailored to specific needs and reusing them.
</Note>

### Step 4: Set the click URL (optional)

Set the page users go to when they click the ad.

| Field | Description | Example |
| - | - | - |
| **Click URL** | Landing page address | [https://example.com/event](https://example.com/event) |

***

## Registering a video creative

Video ads use a **video file** to deliver a richer message.

### Step 1: Create the creative

1. In the **Campaigns** menu, select the campaign to register the creative under.
2. On the **Creatives** tab, click **Create New Creative**.
3. Select **Video** as the creative type.

### Step 2: Upload the video

| Field | Description |
| - | - |
| **Video file** | Upload it or enter a URL |
| **Duration** | Video length (seconds) |

**Supported formats**: MP4 (recommended), WebM / **Recommended size**: 10 MB or less / **Recommended length**: 15 or 30 seconds

<div style={{ position:"relative",paddingBottom:"calc(57.426303854875286% + 41px)",height:0,width:"100%" }}>
  <iframe src="https://demo.arcade.software/vJiFvp5JA290NEEQCPdE?embed&embed_mobile=inline&embed_desktop=inline&show_copy_link=true" title="Video Creative" frameBorder="0" loading="lazy" allowFullScreen allow="clipboard-write" style={{ position:"absolute",top:0,left:0,width:"100%",height:"100%",colorScheme:"light" }} />
</div>

### Video delivery types

Choose how the video is played:

| Type | Description | Example |
| - | - | - |
| **Linear** | Plays before, during, or after other content | Like a YouTube ad |
| **Non-linear** | Displayed as an overlay on top of the content | Like a banner at the bottom of a video |

<div style={{ position:"relative",paddingBottom:"calc(57.426303854875286% + 41px)",height:0,width:"100%" }}>
  <iframe src="https://demo.arcade.software/hHhQi6XO6MUFlIZvyZjr?embed&embed_mobile=inline&embed_desktop=inline&show_copy_link=true" title="Video Creative Settings" frameBorder="0" loading="lazy" allowFullScreen allow="clipboard-write" style={{ position:"absolute",top:0,left:0,width:"100%",height:"100%",colorScheme:"light" }} />
</div>

### Step 3: Set the click URL (optional)

You can set the page URL users go to when they click the video ad.

<Note>
  Whether a video ad can be skipped is determined by the placement settings. Advertisers cannot set it themselves.
</Note>

***

## Registering a native creative

Native ads **blend naturally into the platform's content**.

### Step 1: Create the creative

1. In the **Campaigns** menu, select the campaign to register the creative under.
2. On the **Creatives** tab, click **Create New Creative**.
3. Select **Native** as the creative type.

### Step 2: Enter the details

Native creatives use a connected **product catalog** or information you enter directly.

| Field | Description |
| - | - |
| **Click URL** | Page to go to on click |
| **Catalog integration** | Automatically links product information (optional) |

<Tip>
  When you connect a product catalog, product information (image, price, description, and so on) is automatically reflected in the ad.
</Tip>

### Auto-generating creatives from products

When you **create an ad creative**, product information is loaded automatically from registered **products**, so you can build creatives **faster and more easily**.

<div style={{ position:"relative",paddingBottom:"calc(57.426303854875286% + 41px)",height:0,width:"100%" }}>
  <iframe src="https://demo.arcade.software/WgDffgsIPXfv6UcAbi2s?embed&embed_mobile=inline&embed_desktop=inline&show_copy_link=true" title="Auto-generating creatives from products" frameBorder="0" loading="lazy" allowFullScreen allow="clipboard-write" style={{ position:"absolute",top:0,left:0,width:"100%",height:"100%",colorScheme:"light" }} />
</div>

**Benefits of auto-generation:**

* Automatically pulls in the **product image**, **product name**, **discount rate**, and **metafield information** (for example, benefits or event details).
* Reduces the **separate image and text upload steps**.
* Works not only for native ads but also for building **banner ads, video ads**, and other creatives.
* Keeps **ads consistent with product information** and improves **operational efficiency**.

***

## Activating a creative

After registering a creative, you must **activate** it before it can be used in ads.

### Creative status (Creative Status)

| Status | English | Meaning | What you can do |
| - | - | - | - |
| **Inactive** | Inactive | Ad is not delivered | Edit freely |
| **Active** | Active | Ad can be delivered | Cannot edit; deactivate first to edit |

### Activation requirements

To activate a creative, all required fields must be set:

| Creative type | Required fields |
| - | - |
| **Banner** | Image URL, width, height |
| **Video** | Video URL, duration |
| **Native** | Click URL (or catalog integration) |

### How to activate

1. On the creative detail page, click the **Activate** button.
2. The system checks that all required fields are filled in.
3. If the requirements are met, the creative is activated.

<Warning>
  A creative whose ad is already being delivered (allocation approved) cannot be deactivated. Cancel the allocation first.
</Warning>

***

## Creative and placement compatibility

An allocation is approved only when the creative type matches the placement type.

| Creative type | Compatible placement |
| - | - |
| **Banner** | Display placement |
| **Video** | Video placement |
| **Native** | Native placement |

### Size compatibility

Creative size compatibility depends on the placement settings:

| Placement setting | Meaning |
| - | - |
| **Fixed size** | The creative size must exactly match the placement size |
| **Responsive** | The creative is automatically resized to fit the placement |

<Tip>
  Check the placement details before submitting an allocation request and match your creative size to improve your chances of approval.
</Tip>

***

## Creative management tips

### Using multiple creatives

**Registering multiple creatives** in a single campaign lets you:

* Compare performance with A/B tests
* Use different creatives for different placements
* Reduce creative fatigue

### Editing creatives

| Status | Editable? |
| - | - |
| Inactive creative | ✅ Edit freely |
| Active creative | ❌ Deactivate first, then edit |
| Creative being delivered | ❌ Cancel the allocation, then edit |

***

## Troubleshooting

<AccordionGroup>
  <Accordion title="I can't activate my creative">
    Check the following:

    1. All required fields (image/video URL, size) are filled in
    2. The image/video URL is valid
    3. Width and height are greater than 0
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="My image looks blurry">
    The image resolution may be too low. Use a high-resolution image that matches the placement size. We recommend 2x resolution (for example, a 600x500 image for a 300x250 placement).
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="My video won't play">
    Check the following:

    1. The video format is MP4
    2. The video URL is accessible
    3. The placement supports video
  </Accordion>

  <Accordion title="I'm told the creative size doesn't match the placement">
    Check the placement's size setting:

    * **Fixed Size** placement: Change the creative size to match the placement
    * **Responsive** placement: The creative is resized to the closest size automatically, but try to match it when possible
  </Accordion>
</AccordionGroup>


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