What are in-stream and out-stream video ads?
In-stream video ads play before, during or after someone else's video, like the ads on YouTube. Out-stream video ads play on their own, outside a video player, for example inside a mobile website or app, and start without sound.
ShoaibUpdated 3 min read
What's the difference at a glance?
| In-stream | Out-stream | |
|---|---|---|
| Where it plays | Inside a video the person chose to watch | On a web page or app, not tied to video content |
| Sound | May be on, depending on the viewer's settings | Muted until the viewer taps |
| Google examples | Skippable and non-skippable in-stream ads on YouTube and Google video partners | Outstream ads on Google video partners, mobile and tablet only |
| Meta examples | Facebook in-stream ads in videos and reels | Not a named Meta placement |
How does Google run them?
Google Ads Help says skippable in-stream ads play on YouTube and Google video partner sites and apps, with a skip option after 5 seconds. With cost-per-view bidding you pay when someone watches 30 seconds (or the whole ad if shorter) or interacts. Non-skippable in-stream ads are 60 seconds or shorter and are paid per impression.
Outstream ads, according to Google Ads Help, appear on websites and apps on Google video partners, only on mobile and tablet, and you pay for viewable impressions. They're aimed at extending reach beyond YouTube. More in how to run YouTube ads and what Google Display ads are.
How does Meta run them?
Meta's help centre describes Facebook in-stream ads as short ads that play before, during or after video content, and it has a separate in-stream placement for reels. You can include or exclude these in your placement settings, explained in Meta ad placements.
Which should I use?
In-stream suits a story with sound for people already watching video. Out-stream suits cheap extra reach, as long as your video works muted with captions.
Want video ads as part of your digital marketing on Google? See our Google Ads service.