How to QA VAST Tags for CTV Eligibility

We recommend if you create a Video creative for a CTV campaign, you should QA your VAST Tag before going live as there are specific requirements for CTV inventory. 

To look at the VAST tag code, copy-paste the VAST tag into your browser.

1. Check the duration: Sharethrough only can run :15 or :30 length videos only. If the length is even slightly off (ex. :14.5) that creative will not be eligible to run and will not win any bids.

2. Make sure there is only one length duration per tag. Refresh the tag several times (6 - 8 times recommended) to make sure it's always the same duration. If there are multiple lengths within the VAST tag, it will be eligible to run and will not win any bids.

*If your duration changes when you refresh the tag or if you don't have a :15 or :30 length duration, please reach out to your internal ad ops team to update your VAST tag on the backend within your ad server.

3. Check if VPAID is enabled: Control+F type “vpaid”. If you find any “vpaid” mention in your tag, it means the VPAID mode is enabled. VPAID MUST be disabled for CTV inventory. 

* If VPAID is enabled in the tag (see below), please reach out to your internal ad ops team to disable the VPAID update your VAST tag on the backend within your ad server.

4. Confirm the resolution size and bitrates of your video in the VAST tag. Below are the minimum requirements, which are outlined in the Creative Specs.

The resolution size of the video is listed under the 'MediaFile' as width="XX" height="XX". At least one of the resolution formats must be 1920 x 1080 or 1280 x 720 (minimum requirement).

The bitrate of the video is listed under the 'MediaFile' as bitrate="XX". The bitrate associated with the large resolution formats above, must be between 10,000 and 30,000 kbps.

There must be at least one combination 'MediaFile' line item that has both the required resolution size and the required bitrate size.

If the resolution size and/or bitrate does not hit the minimums, the video will be of poor quality (visually blurry, lack of sound) and not eligible to deliver. To improve the resolution size and/or bitrate, please reach out to your internal ad ops team to upload a new, higher quality video on the backend within your ad server.

*In this example, the maximum bitrate is around 2,000 kbps - this is not enough for CTV. Having not enough bitrates can be an issue for the delivery and the quality of the video on the TV.