Every day, we make countless small decisions; what to eat, what to watch, or when to finally call it a day. Most of these choices happen in just a fraction of a second. Now imagine trying to capture someone’s attention in that tiny window online, that’s no easy job for marketers.
That’s exactly where Pre Roll Ads come in. These short video ads play right before the main content a viewer wants to watch, usually on platforms like YouTube or streaming services. They’re hard to miss, and video ads have an average click-through rate (CTR) of 1.84%, the highest among all digital ad formats
In this blog, we’ll break down everything you need to know about Pre Roll Ads; what they are, the different types, why they’re effective, and how you can use them to create campaigns that actually make people stop scrolling and start engaging. With Trackier, you can track, analyze, and optimize these campaigns in real time to ensure every view drives measurable impact.
Pre Roll Ads: Types and Advantages
Pre-roll ads are the promotional videos that appear before the content you wish to see online. They are short, usually between 30 to 60 seconds, and are most commonly seen on YouTube and streaming platforms.
If your brand also uses influencer or affiliate campaigns to run these video promotions, tools like Trackier’s affiliate tarketing software can help you connect pre-roll performance with affiliate conversions. This gives you a complete view of how each traffic source contributes to your campaign ROI.
Pre-roll ads are particularly effective when combined with Campaign Management Tools
that let you automate reporting and understand which ad placements bring the most engaged users.
Three Types Of Pre-roll Ads
- Bumper: Ads less than 6 seconds mostly, played before the content
- Non-Skippable: Before, during, and after the video that the viewer is willing to watch. Mostly 15-20 Seconds
- Skippable: Ad several minutes played before, after, or during the video, but these are skippable after a few seconds.
Why Run Pre-Roll Ads: Benefits
Pre-roll ads have a very practical approach as it is displayed before the content the viewer is willing to see, therefore they are bound to view the ad.
1. Target Audience
The targeting capabilities of pre-roll ads are high, additionally, they are pay-per-view ads which makes them super valuable. And you can even segregate which customers you want to showcase your ads to, based on age, location, gender, and more.
2. Uninterrupted Approach
The best part of pre-roll ads is that they do not interrupt the viewer from viewing the content of their interest. These ads are likely to be viewed as the viewer is aware that it will eventually lead to the content they are trying to view.
3. Brand Awareness
Pre-Roll ads are Top of funnel content, which means they increase awareness and drive traffic
Ingredients Of Running Effective Pre-Roll Ads
1. Self- Aware
Self-aware ads, the pre-roll ads with the fact that the viewers are aware they will have to view the ad before their content is displayed help the marketer to make full use of these seconds they have to showcase their capabilities and drive traffic.
2. Hooking
The content of the ads should be hooking so that the viewer does not skip if there is an option
3. Concise
Crisp and concise content is likely to drive traffic
4. Creative
Creativity is the key element to keep the viewers glued as they are always looking for something new. Your ad will only be noticed if it’s different.
5. Call-to-Action
Making viewers view the video is not the ultimate goal, the aim is to drive them to the target page through a strongly defined Call-To-Action Button.
Pre-roll ads are considered one of the best ways to generate revenue and increase traffic on the website.
Hope with this blog of ours, you get a completely clear picture of what pre-roll ads are and how they help. However, if you still have any questions or queries feel free to contact us, we would be happy to help.
FAQs
1. What are the best practices for creating pre-roll ads that convert?
To create pre-roll ads that convert, brands should focus on a strong hook, clear messaging, and a direct CTA. Use storytelling techniques, relevant visuals, and emotional triggers to connect with the audience. Testing different ad versions (A/B testing) and analyzing results helps identify what resonates most with viewers and improves campaign ROI.
2. How do you measure the success of a pre-roll ad campaign?
The performance of pre-roll ads can be tracked using metrics like view-through rate (VTR), click-through rate (CTR), impressions, completion rate, and conversions. These analytics help determine how effectively the ad captured attention and drove engagement. Integrating tracking platforms enables marketers to attribute conversions and refine future campaigns.
3. How long should an ideal pre-roll ad be?
The ideal pre-roll ad duration depends on the goal. Bumper ads (under 6 seconds) are perfect for awareness, while 15–30-second ads are great for storytelling or explaining value propositions. Keeping it concise and impactful helps maintain viewer attention while ensuring the message lands effectively before potential drop-offs occur.
4. Are pre-roll ads better than other types of video ads?
Pre-roll ads are often more effective than mid-roll or post-roll ads because they appear before the viewer’s desired content, when attention levels are highest. While mid-roll ads can interrupt the experience, pre-roll ads feel more natural. They also ensure brand exposure even if viewers skip after a few seconds.
5. How can businesses target the right audience with pre-roll ads?
Pre-roll ads offer advanced targeting capabilities, allowing advertisers to segment audiences based on age, gender, location, device, interests, and browsing behavior. Platforms like YouTube use machine learning and audience data to deliver ads to users most likely to engage. This precision ensures higher ROI and reduced wasted ad spend.
