Rules of participation in the Yandex Video Network

Terms and definitions

• In-Stream is a video ad that appears within video content. These ads can play before, during, or after the main video content that was the primary purpose of the user's session or was explicitly requested by the user. Read more.

• In-Stream in accompanying content is a video ad format where the video ad plays in an embedded video player that complements the page's main content (such as a news article or blog post).

  Note

  In this case, viewing the video isn't the primary purpose of the user's session and is secondary to the surrounding text or other content.

• Out-Stream is a standalone video ad that can be served on pages that don't have primary video content. In this case, the video ad is embedded directly into non-video environments like text articles, news feeds, or placements intended for banner ads. Read more.

Platform requirements

Traffic and analytics

• Minimum traffic: 10,000 daily unique users, as measured by an analytics system with the “no robots” filter. Compliance is determined based on the daily average over the past 30 days. We verify compliance with this requirement during onboarding and continue to monitor traffic levels regularly.

• Data access: The platform must provide the Yandex Advertising Network manager with guest access to its analytics to monitor traffic. Preferably, this should be through Yandex Metrica or another approved analytics system with a “no robots” filter.

Mirrors and embedded players

• All domains and third-party platforms where the partner's player is hosted (including via embedded players) must be added as “mirrors” in the network interface and approved in advance.

• Mirror domains are subject to the same rules and requirements as the main domain of the video resource.

• Undeclared domains won't receive ad impressions.

Content requirements and Brand Safety

Legality

All video content must be legal. The platform must hold the rights to display and monetize the video.

Content quality

Content must be:

• Multimedia.
• Composed of meaningful visuals and audio.
• Relevant to the target audience's interests and the platform's topic.

Content duration

For monetization under the In-Stream model, each video must be at least two minutes long. Social media platforms may be exempt from this restriction upon approval by the Yandex Advertising Network, though all other requirements still apply.

User experience and player placement

Size and position

• Minimum size: 320 × 180 px for horizontal players and 180 × 320 px for vertical players. Impressions in smaller players aren't counted.
• Position: The player must appear within the viewable area of the screen, be located in the main content area, and must not overlap other page content.

Autoplay and sound

• In-Stream: Autoplay with sound is allowed only if the player is the central page element and the user expects immediate playback.

• Out-Stream and In-Stream in accompanying content: Autoplay is allowed only when at least 50% of the player is within the viewable area. Playback must always start muted. Audio may only be enabled through user action (clicking the sound icon).

Sticky player

• Only allowed for Out-Stream ads.
• Sticky units must not overlap other ad units on the page.
• If the user clicks the Close button to dismiss the sticky unit, it must not reappear in the same browser session. This requirement applies to all types of pop-up ad units, regardless of their format or the source of impression.
• In sticky mode, video playback must be paused when the user switches to another tab.
• All ad elements must remain visible and clickable. Other interface elements must not overlap them. Every sticky unit must include a visible and clickable Close button.

Advertising policy

Ad units and load

The maximum number of ads within an InStream unit depends on the content duration:

• Over 10 minutes: up to 4 video ads.
• Under 10 minutes: up to 2 video ads.
• More ads can be displayed only if specifically approved by the network.

Skipping ads

For skippable ads, the Skip button must:

• Remain visible and active.
• Not overlap with other elements.

Limits on ad requests for ad units

Ad requests (including requests for different units within a waterfall sequence) must not occur more than once every 30 seconds.

This rule applies:

• Per ad unit.

• Per page with multiple ad units (the total interval between ad requests on the page must be at least 30 seconds).

Exception: Requests triggered by an explicit user action, such as scrolling the page or navigating between sections.

Technical requirements and integration

SDK and VAST integration

• The primary integration method is the Yandex SDK.
• The platform may use the VAST protocol only if approved by Yandex and if the platform supports OM SDK and VAST standards.
• Ad code must not be placed within third-party banner systems (such as Google Ad Manager or AdRiver) without the official adapters recommended by Yandex.

Page identification and referrers

• Each ad request must include the full and correct URL of the page where the player (including embedded players) is located. To pass it, use standard Yandex SDK methods, specifically the targetRef parameter.

Playback environment

Both ads and content must only be played through an HTML5 player. Flash and NPAPI are prohibited.

Rendering and controls

• Controls for both the player (Play, Pause, Mute, and Skip buttons) and the ad creative must be visible and functional. It is prohibited to hide them or cover them with other elements.
• It is prohibited to place banners or overlays on top of a player with video ads.
• It is prohibited to overlap the ad or render other elements on top of the ad video.
• It is prohibited to render ads on top of third-party content players.

Request structure and required signals

The platform must accurately transmit the following data to the SDK:

• Actual player dimensions.
• The videoContentDuration parameter that specifies the content duration, and the videoContentUrl parameter that specifies the video file URL for instream AVOD content.
• Device type and SDK version.

It is prohibited to transmit false signals, such as declaring a video ad as muted while starting it with the sound on.

For more information about the request structure and the required signals, see the Developer's guide.

Error handling

• Errors occurring when loading or playing ads must not interrupt the main content.
• When this happens, the player should handle the error appropriately, then resume playback.

Traffic quality and metrics

Traffic sources and auditing

• The Yandex Advertising Network conducts regular traffic audits (at least once a month).

• Allowed: Organic search traffic, direct traffic, social media traffic, transparent publisher ad campaigns.

• Prohibited: Incentivized traffic, bots, scripts, auto-refreshing pages or players.

Target metrics and diagnostics

• Actual InStream ad viewability: at least 60% (at least 50% of the player must be within the viewable area for at least 2 seconds).

• Viewability rate: at least 60% (the ratio of counted impressions to matched requests).

• Share of traffic without demographic targeting powered by Crypta: no more than 30%.

• Video view-through rate: at least 70%.

• Minimum CTR: 0.5%.

• There should be no other players with active videos within the viewable area (including players that follow the user during scrolling or are anchored to the page).

Prohibited practices

Avoid these actions to ensure your ads aren't suspended:

• Placement manipulation: Using players below 320 × 180 px, or players that are hidden, off-screen, or collapsed.
• Data substitution: Sending wrong URLs, top-ancestor data, or user IDs, spoofing domains, or using undeclared domains.
• Artificial ad requests: Recursive ad requests, ad requests without content playback, or ad requests from background tabs.
• Preventing interaction: Obscuring or disabling ad controls or mandatory advertising information, such as the Skip and Close buttons, the menu icon, or the clickable area.

Consequences for non-compliance

• The Yandex Advertising Network reserves the right to review any platform for compliance with these rules at any time.
• If fraudulent traffic (invalid traffic, IVT) or other violations of the terms of participation are detected, ad impressions may be suspended in accordance with the terms of the Yandex Advertising Network Offer.
• Funds earned through fraudulent methods may be forfeited in accordance with the terms of the Yandex Advertising Network Offer.

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