All Advalidation Features

See all of the display and video ad tests available within Advalidation.

PERFORMANCE

Time to visual start

When an ad load slowly, it’s less likely to be seen by visitors and can lead to low viewability numbers. Find out if ads are loading quickly enough with our Time to Visual Start test, which measures the time it takes for creative to render so you can push back on slow-loading creatives before getting emails about low viewability.

Initial + sub load

Get notified if ads are loading large assets before or during the initial and sub load phases, which can slow down the page and negatively impact the user experience.

Device CPU usage

Ads should deliver a smooth experience and not interfere with site or app performance. Ads that use less CPU require less battery power, while increasing page performance and allowing other CPU intensive elements (like HD video) to display without issues. This test analyzes the CPU usage for every ad.

Initial file requests

The number of calls made to download files has a significant impact on the performance of the creative and the page (which impacts the user experience and viewability). This feature allows you to set a maximum number of accepted initial file requests.

First-party served file size

The size of creative assets can impact viewability and the user experience. This test reviews the file size of every asset sent to you (through zip file or other), ensuring all assets meet your specs and requirements.

Number of cookies

Excessive use of cookies can negatively impact performance and put user integrity at risk.

Chrome heavy ad intervention testing

Use Advalidation to detect ads that risk being unloaded by Chrome.

PRIVACY + COMPLIANCE

Connection screening

Rather than approving the same vendors over and over again, you can create a list of your accepted vendors who meet your requirements. If there are network connections made from tags or tracking pixels to vendors that are not on your list, you will be notified immediately so they can be removed.

Ad verification tags

Some agencies and advertisers don’t want their ads appearing alongside certain keywords or content, which can cause the ad to be blocked from displaying. This test allows you to monitor for “blocking tags,” allowing you to avoid discrepancies and lost revenue.

HTTPS

Protect the privacy and security of users by requiring all network activity to be over HTTPS. This test surfaces any non-HTTPS network activity.

HTML local storage

Local storage objects can be used to store and retrieve data about users. The settings are typically not exposed via web browser controls, making it difficult for users to change their settings or opt-out. This feature allows you to block alternative cookies and alerts you if they’re being used.

APPEARANCE

Creative expansion

Expanding creatives can be distracting and result in a poor user experience. With this test, you set the rules for whether you accept creative expansion or not.

Creative border

Ensure all ads are made with a distinct border around the creative so users can distinguish between ads and other content.

Multiple creatives in rotation

Some ads may have multiple creative variations in rotation, which means it’s easy to miss one (or more) during the QA process. This test alerts you if there are rotating creatives, ensuring you’re always approving all versions before they go live.

Dimensions

See the dimensions (the width and height in pixels) of any display ad. Set your own specifications to ensure all display ads meet your requirements.

Dimensions discrepancy

When the visual width and height and the HTML width and height of a creative asset do not match up, this can result in ads pushing other elements further down the page (often caused by tracking pixels or other elements added to the creative). This test checks for dimension discrepancies so you can avoid those issues.

USER EXPERIENCE

Test for audio

Audio can catch users off guard, causing them to close the window in order to stop the sound. With this feature, you decide if you want to allow audio (or only allow audio on rollover).

Animation length

While animation is fun, it can be distracting and create a poor user experience. This feature allows you to test the animation length (the number of seconds with movement starting from the first rendered frame) AND set parameters for the maximum animation length you will allow.

Functioning landing page

Every ad must link to a single, working website. This test ensures the final URL does exactly that, checking for issues such as malformed click-through URLs, invalid click redirect URLs, problems with macro replacement in URLs, or non-working/non-existent landing pages.

Landing page redirects

Ads with multiple redirects can result in user drop-off, which means fewer visits. This test alerts you to the number of redirects so you can adjust the request-response cycle and/or alert the client to the potential for lost views.

Remote load exceptions

Boost the load speed of your ad (and align with industry guidelines) by excluding specific files, URLs, cacheable javascript, shared libraries, and more.

BACK-END SUPPORT

Enable click-tracking

This test ensures a click macro can be added so that clicks can be counted.

Code validation

You can customize Advalidation to look for specific code, for example, to detect things like document.

Javascript errors

This setting will detect and fail creatives with javascript errors. Javascript errors can be caused by problems with macros, missing libraries, or poor testing during development.

FULL VAST SUPPORT

VAST required media files

Automatically download and analyze all media-files referenced ensuring that the VAST tags include all necessary renditions and that each individual media-file is following your requirements.

VAST variations

If creative variations exist within a VAST URL, Advalidation will find it by downloading the VAST XML multiple times in search of variations in the Ad IDs and Creative IDs. If variations are detected, the creative report will display the different variations allowing you to see each individual file, the differences between them, and if any issues exist.

Ad verification tags

Some agencies and advertisers don’t want their ads appearing alongside certain keywords or content, which can cause the ad to be blocked from displaying. This test allows you to monitor for “blocking tags,” allowing you to avoid discrepancies and lost revenue.

VAST discrepancies

If there are discrepancies between the declared properties (format, bitrate, resolution) and the actual properties of the media file, this test will alert you with a warning.

VAST version

Just like there are different versions of the iPhone, there are also multiple versions to the VAST standard (in fact, since its initial launch in 2008, there are over 4 different VAST versions). This feature allows you to set your standards for which VAST version you accept (includes VAST 1-4.1).

VAST API framework

This feature allows you to detect and either accept or deny VPAID (Video Player Ad-Serving Interface Definition).

VAST skip detection

This test detects whether or not the ad is skippable.

VAST creative count

This test detects whether or not the VAST tag contains multiple creative ID’s (not to be confused with multiple media-files). As multiple creative ID VAST tags are somewhat rare, this check calls for manual review of the ad hierarchy within the file.

PRIVACY + COMPLIANCE

Connection screening

Rather than approving the same vendors over and over again, you can create a list of your accepted vendors who meet your requirements. If there are network connections made from tags or tracking pixels to vendors that are not on your list, you will be notified immediately so they can be removed.

HTTPS

Protect the privacy and security of users by requiring all network activity to be over HTTPS. This test surfaces any non-HTTPS network activity.

USER EXPERIENCE

Audio Average Volume

Unexpected increases in audio volume between content and commercials can be jarring and annoying for users. To avoid this, use our Audio Average Volume test, which allows you to set audio volume standards according to your needs.

Audio True Peak Volume

Measure the volume of audio as it will be heard through speakers and headphones. If the audio exceeds your maximum allowed true peak level (dBTP), you’ll be notified instantly.

Volumen medio de audio

Los aumentos inesperados del volumen de audio entre los contenidos y los anuncios pueden ser discordantes y molestos para los usuarios. Para evitarlo, utilice nuestra prueba de volumen medio de audio, que le permite establecer estándares de volumen de audio según sus necesidades.Learn more

Volumen máximo real de audio

Mide el volumen del audio tal y como se escuchará a través de los altavoces y los auriculares. Si el audio supera el nivel de peak real máximo permitido (dBTP), recibirás una notificación al instante.

Volumen medio de audio

Los aumentos inesperados del volumen de audio entre los contenidos y los anuncios pueden ser discordantes y molestos para los usuarios. Para evitarlo, utilice nuestra prueba de volumen medio de audio, que le permite establecer estándares de volumen de audio según sus necesidades.Learn more

Volumen máximo real de audio

Mide el volumen del audio tal y como se escuchará a través de los altavoces y los auriculares. Si el audio supera el nivel de peak real máximo permitido (dBTP), recibirás una notificación al instante.

appearance

Test for video quality

Instantly detect duplicate and interlaced frames that can cause fluctuation and distortion.

Video frame rate

The frame rate is the rate at which consecutive images (frames) appear on a display. It is expressed in fps (frames per second). Available settings are exact frame rates or intervals.

1-click previews

Rather than downloading each individual file, you can now preview any video ad with the click of a button. No more jumping between screens or copy & pasting tags from excel!

video properties

Video file size

The file size is the size of the video file in kilobytes. Resolution, duration, bitrate, framerate, and compression are some of the properties that will affect quality and file size. The available settings within this test are min and max file size.

Dimensions

Dimensions is the size/ratio of video. This feature allows you to set a standard of one or multiple exact resolutions (i.e. 1920x1080) or one (or multiple) aspect ratios (i.e. - 16:9, 4:3, etc) that you will accept.

Letterboxing

Letterboxing or pillarboxing occurs when a clip is displayed in a different aspect ratio context than it was produced for. The most common case is displaying 16:9 content in 4:3 context (letterboxing) or the reverse (pillarboxing). Available settings within this test are to accept or deny Letterboxing and Pillarboxing.

Duration

This test measures the duration of the video file (measured in seconds). Available settings are one or multiple exact durations or intervals. Optionally, Advalidation can round the detected duration to the nearest whole number to allow for small discrepancies.

Bitrate

The bitrate is the number of bits that are processed in a unit of time. In general, a higher bitrate will accommodate higher quality video and audio, however, the higher the bitrate, the more bandwidth is required to play back the video. Available settings for this test ranges from “total bitrate” to separate ranges of audio and video bitrate.

Container format

A container usually bundles the audio and video data in one organized package. In addition, the container can contain metadata, subtitles, and additional audio files such as different spoken languages. Available settings for this test are 3GPP, 3GPP2, AVI, IVF, FLV, M4V, MKV, MXF, MOV, MP4, MPG, SWF, WebM, WMV.

Video Codec

A codec processes video and stores it in a stream of bytes. Codecs use algorithms to effectively shrink the size of the video file then decompress it when needed. Available settings for this test are H264, H265 (HEVC), MPEG-4 Visual, ProRes, Sorenson Spark, VC-1, VP6, VP8, VP9, WMV8, AV1.

Audio Codec

Audio codec processes audio and stores it in a stream of bytes. Codecs use algorithms to effectively shrink the size of the audio file then decompress it when needed. Available settings for this test are AAC, MP3, Opus, PCM, Vorbis and WMA.

Scan type

Video is displayed using either the interlaced or the progressive scanning method. Available settings for this test are interlaced and progressive.

Color space

The color space check validates the encoding of luma/chroma sampling. YUV 4:2:0 is by wide margin the most common color space setting in online video. Available settings for this test are YUV 4:2:0, YUV 4:4:4, YUV 4:2:2, YUV 4:1:1.

Audio sample rate

Sample rate is the average number of samples of audio per second. It is expressed in Hz or kHz. Available settings for this test are 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz.

15+ BONUS features + tests to make your job easier

STREAMLINE WORKFLOW

On-going monitoring

Don't get blindsided by mid-campaign creative updates. Receive alerts on creative swaps mid-campaign, added tracking pixels, increased load time and more!

User management

Assign different rights to your team members to ensure only administrators can update ad specifications and other settings. Report on number of campaigns created, creatives tested, and much more.

Bulk uploading

Save time and headache by bulk uploading one or multiple excel sheets, VAST tags, images, video files or ZIP files in under a minute.

Test from your inbox

Test hundreds of ads without ever logging in to your account! When you receive creative files via email, you can forward them directly into Advalidation; when the files have been analyzed, you’ll get an email back with a link to your report.

Detailed asset view

All of our reports include a “detailed asset view” for each test, allowing you to dig deeper into specific assets for more context and information.

Quick preview

Quickly see how your video or display ad will look before launching. This feature is especially helpful if you have a VAST tag with multiple renditions, ensuring you’re reviewing all versions before launching (no need to upload or add the asset to a video player!).

Quick rescan

It’s like a refresh button for testing! Instead of having to find the file and re-upload after changes have been made, you can quickly rescan a single creative (or a whole batch of creatives) in just a couple of clicks.

History view

Every time a file is rescanned we save the report ensuring you always have a record of when or if the files have been changed.

Mobile-friendly reports

Access reports on your mobile device allowing you to review and share feedback while on-the-go.

CUSTOMIZATION

Share or subscribe to ad specs

Share ad specs with other Advalidation customers with the click of a button. If you work with vendors who need the most up-to-date specs (but they don’t manage your ad accounts), they can “subscribe” to your specs so they always have the most current specs (even if you make changes on your end).

Multiple ad specs

If you require multiple specs for different types of ads or devices, you can add them to your Advalidation account and use them to accurately assess creative before launching campaigns.

Multiple approved vendor lists

If you work with a variety of vendors, you can create multiple “approved vendors” lists so you don’t have to continuously approve recurring vendors.

FAST SETUP + ONBOARDING

Personalized onboarding program

Our Premium and Enterprise plans include a personalized onboarding program, which is customized to your specific needs and challenges. Typically, onboarding takes about an hour to get you and your team set up and ready to go!

On-going training available

If you and your team would like additional training or have specific questions you’d like answered, our team is available and ready to help (premium support is included in our Premium and Enterprise plans).

DATA + REPORTING

Aggregate reporting

The insights tool allows you to generate reports across all tested creatives to be able to discover things like average initial file size, most common third party domain, and so much more.

Shared reports

As soon as your report is generated, you can instantly share the link (or email it directly) to your team and clients.

Data retention

Keep or delete campaigns and creatives after a certain amount of time. Customize according to your needs!

Want to see Advalidation in action?

Book a free demo with our team of experts.

Schedule free demo