GoogleAds_IMA Videos Ads on your page

The GoogleAds_IMA plugin provides integration with the Google IMA SDK, enabling compliance with VAST 3.0 and VPAID 2 JS standards. Although the plugin name mentions "GoogleAds," it is not limited to Google's services. You can use it with any ad server or provider that follows VAST standards.

Configuration and Usage

1. Apply for an AdSense account or another VAST-compatible service:

   • Follow the service's approval process.
   • After approval, you'll receive a publisher ID for live video ads.

2. Remove testing parameters:

   • Make sure to remove all instances of the adtest=on parameter to ensure your ads function correctly in a live environment.

3. Refer to Google AdSense if needed:

   • For more information on the Google AdSense setup process, check out their tutorial here.

Working Beyond Google

The plugin works with any VAST-compliant ad server. You can explore various ad providers if you're not using Google. Here’s a useful list of ad server companies to consider.

User Customization

The plugin allows for user customization, enabling users to set their own VAST URLs. This feature is particularly useful for publishers, as it gives them the flexibility to use custom ad URLs that align with their specific advertising goals.

Adding Multiple VAST URLs

The GoogleAds_IMA plugin supports multiple VAST feed URLs. You can list them in a single field, separated by a semicolon (;). This allows the plugin to try loading ads from multiple sources, providing more flexibility.

Example of Multiple VAST URLs

https://vast.forjesus.tv/vast.xml;https://company1.vast.xml;https://company2.vast.xml

In this example:

• The https://vast.forjesus.tv/vast.xml feed always returns an ad.
• If ads from other feeds (e.g., https://company1.vast.xml or https://company2.vast.xml) fail to load, the ForJesus feed will still deliver an ad, confirming that your configuration is working correctly.

This approach helps determine whether an ad provider is failing to deliver ads.

Advanced Customization Options

The plugin supports the use of macros for dynamic VAST URL replacements. You can even use PHP code in VMAP tags, giving you more control over ad serving. You can define up to 10 different ad tags, ideal for using VMAP scripts across different apps. The plugin provides an API to request VMAP from various tags.

Customizable VAST URL Placeholders

To further enhance ad serving and tracking, the plugin provides several placeholders for dynamic VAST URL customization:

1. {ip}: Viewer’s IP address.
2. {ChannelName}: URL-encoded channel name.
3. {Category}: URL-encoded category name.
4. {content_page_url}: Content page URL.
5. {cb}: Cache buster value.
6. {video_duration}: Video duration.
7. {width}, [CONTENT-DISPLAY-WIDTH], {{WIDTH}}: Content display width.
8. {height}, [CONTENT-DISPLAY-HEIGHT], {{HEIGHT}}: Content display height.
9. {device_id}: Device ID.
10. [VIDEO-TITLE-HERE]: Clean video title.
11. [ADS-TRACKING-ID]: Cache buster value (similar to {cb}).
12. [DEVICE-USER-AGENT]: URL-encoded user agent.
13. [LIMIT-TRACKING]: Tracking limit (0 or 1).

You can also use:

• {{ENCODED_URL}}: Encoded content page URL.
• {{CACHEBUSTER}}: Cache buster value.
• {{DURATION}}: Video duration.

To use these placeholders, include them in your VAST URL. The plugin automatically replaces these placeholders with the corresponding values during ad requests.

Ad Performance Reports

Once you have set up the plugin and started delivering ads, you can monitor ad performance using the Video Ad Events Report. This report provides detailed insights into how ads are performing, including data on event types and campaigns. You can find the tutorial for the report here:
Video Ad Events Report Tutorial.

Troubleshooting

If your ad provider is not delivering ads, follow these steps to troubleshoot:

1. Check your ad provider:

   • Confirm there are no restrictions or issues with your ad provider.

2. Test your configuration:

   • Use the following test VAST tag to ensure the plugin is working:

   https://vast.forjesus.tv/vast.xml
   

   This tag always returns an ad. If it works, your plugin setup is correct. If you're still not seeing ads from other providers, the problem likely lies with your provider.

Using Multiple VAST Feeds to Identify Provider Issues

The plugin can handle multiple VAST feeds, which helps you identify issues with specific providers. By separating each feed with a semicolon (;), the plugin will try loading ads from each source sequentially.

For example:

https://vast.forjesus.tv/vast.xml;https://company1.vast.xml;https://company2.vast.xml

In this case:

• The ForJesus feed always returns an ad.
• If the other feeds fail to deliver ads, you’ll know the issue lies with those specific ad providers, not your plugin configuration.

Conclusion

The GoogleAds_IMA plugin offers flexibility and powerful customization features to help you serve video ads effectively. Whether you are using Google services or another VAST-compatible provider, this plugin gives you the tools to enhance user experience and maximize your advertising revenue on the AVideo platform.