Monetize your video content by connecting videos ads to MAZ via Google Ad Manager. It’s as simple as copy and pasting your Google ad tags in the MAZ dashboard under App Creator > Ads > Video Ads.
Ad Tag Overview
Ad tags are URLs that tell a video player where to request video ads and how to display those ads in the player (in this case, MAZ). Ad tags typically have a few constant components and some metadata (known as macros) that provides additional context to the request being made. Below is a sample ad tag that you might add to the dashboard:
Required Ad Tag Values
The bolded portion of the URL and macros below must be included in every ad tag.
https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?env=vp&gdfp_req=1&unviewed_position_start=1&output=vast&iu=/1234/video-demo&sz=400x300
env=vp
gdfp_req=1
Unviewed_position_start=1
Required Variable Macros
The next three macros must be included in all ad tags, but the values are variable.
https://pubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?env=vp&gdfp_req=1&unviewed_position_start=1&output=vast&iu=/1234/video-demo&sz=400x300
output - Defines the type of ad request MAZ should expect. Accepted values include: Output=vast, Output=vmap, Output=xml_vast3, or Output=xml_vmap1
iu - This is the ad unit created in Google Ad Manager. It uses the following format: /network_id/.../ad_unit
sz - Defines the size of the master video ad slot. If there are multiple sizes, they should be separated by the '|' character, and should not include 'v' after the size (ensure you have sizes that suit aspect ratios per device and platform).
Automated Macros
Each of the following macros should NOT be included in your ad tag because MAZ will generate and insert them into ad requests.
URL - Because these ad requests are coming from an app environment, this value will be the app bundle id of the respective platform.
description_url - When Google ads run on a website, this URL will have a description of the specified video.
Correlator - this random numeric value is shared by multiple requests in the same session and is used to implement competitive exclusions.
An - This stands for app name. MAZ will automatically insert your app name here.
Msid - Similar to URL, this value will be used to identify the environment where the ad is being displayed. The app bundlie id will be inserted for all platforms except Roku, which will always be passed as “ROKU_ADS_APP_ID”
Vid (for content targeting) - This parameter specifies the content id of the video where the ad is being requested. You MUST define where in your MRSS feed MAZ is extracting this content id. More info on this below.
rdid - A resettable device identifier, parameter for programmatic ads. For example, a Google AdID, an Apple IDFA, an Amazon AFAI, a Roku RIDA, or an Xbox MSAI.
idtype - The type of device. Parameter for programmatic ads.
is_lat - "Limit Ad Tracking" (LAT) enables users to opt-out and therefore restrict advertisers from targeting based on user behavior. It is a requirement of Google and Google Marketing Platform policies to ensure that user choices are accurately adhered to when data is passed on ad requests.
Optional Macros for Ad Targeting
The following macros are used for advanced content targeting options.
cmsid - Your cmsid is a unique identifier for each content source in your Google Ad Manager account. It is typically a 4-digit number.
vid - This video specific identifier must not be included in the ad tag. Instead, MAZ will extract this value from your MRSS feeds and send it to Google when making an ad request. Please follow the instructions for identifying the matching key in your MRSS feed. This should be done before adding MRSS feeds, if possible. If you have already added your MRSS feeds, notify the Customer Success team at success@mazsystems.com to reprocess your existing content.
ad_rule - this macro identifies if there ad rules associated with the video and helps Google quickly respond with an ad. This macro will be automatically generated when creating an ad tag.
Unsupported Macros
The following macros are not currently supported.
ciu_szs - Defines companion sizing
cust_params - If you would like to include these ad specifications, hardcode them in the tag instead.
hl - Refers to language ad selection
nofb - Indicates video fallback ads
pp - Differentiates video creative profiles
ppid - Defines audience-based ad delivery controls
tfcd - Requests child-directed treatment
Ad Targeting
Features like ad targeting and midrolls are only available to certain tiers in Google Ad Manager. To learn more about the features available for your account, see the features overview provided by Google. To enable advanced features, reach out to your Google Account Manager. Additionally, here are Google’s instructions for adding a new video content source, which is required for ad targeting.
KVPs
To begin using KVPs with MAZ, you will need to set up your targeting tags in the MAZ dashboard and in Google Ad Manager. MAZ will pick up the values within designated tags from your MRSS feed and pass them to Google Ad Manager for targeted ads.
Please note: Adding KVPs should be done before adding MRSS feeds, if possible. In case you have already added your MRSS feeds, please notify our customer success team at success@mazsystems.com to reprocess your existing content.
Connect your Google Ad Manager
After setting up your video ads in Google Ad Manager, connect it within the MAZ dashboard to start rolling ads in your video content.
Let's get started!
Navigate to App Creator, Ads, and then Video Ads. Select Google Ad Manager.
Enter the ad tag URLs for the respective platform devices.
Next, set the ad time frequency and when the first request for ads should be sent.
4. If you're targeting your video ads using Google Ad Manager, enter the Vid parameter key. It may be called content_id or guid.
5. If there are key values in your MRSS feed you want to target with video ads, enter the Key Value Pair Tag. Don't forget to hit Save!
Important Note:
With the release of iOS 14 and tvOS 14, Apple has introduced the AppTrackingTransparency framework. As per Apple's new guidelines, apps will need to request permission to track the user and access the device’s advertising identifier to display personalized ads.
Due to this, if your MAZ app is already on the Apple App Store and you decide to turn on or turn off ads on the MAZ dashboard, an app update will be required for iOS/tvOS apps to comply with the new guidelines.
After enabling or disabling ads on the MAZ Dashboard, please write to us at submissions@mazsystems.com to request an app update for your iOS/tvOS app.