43 features our automated ad quality solution Advalidation offers

What can you achieve in a minute? What do you want to admit you can achieve in a minute? 

What if spending one minute here could ripple into saving hours down the line? That sounds pretty dreamy right? Advalidation is exactly that, a dream. Within 60 seconds you gain 100% accuracy and confidence that the ads you show on your website will do that - show, in perfect quality with perfect audio and in complete compliance. 

Here’s the full list of features you get access to when you try the Advalidation platform:

FULL VAST SUPPORT

VAST required media files

Automatically download and analyse 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. Learn more

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.

 

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 organised 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.

Colour space:The colour space check validates the encoding of luma/chroma sampling. YUV 4:2:0 is by wide margin the most common colour 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.

 

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 a 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 analysed, 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.

 

CUSTOMISATION

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

Personalised onboarding program: Our Premium and Enterprise plans include a personalised onboarding program, which is customised 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. Customise according to your needs!