In the early days of digital advertising, securing ad space was a slow, manual process involving constant negotiations, waiting on contracts and hoping the ad would reach the right audience.
Advertisers had to work directly with publishers, often resulting in delays and missed opportunities.
Programmatic advertising has completely flipped the script.
By automating the process and leveraging data-driven insights, programmatic advertising allows for faster ad placements, real-time adjustments and precise audience targeting.
But how do you make the most of it? This blog will help you get started with programmatic ads by delving into:
• A Refresher on Programmatic Advertising
• Programmatic Advertising Benefits
• Programmatic Advertising Challenges
• How To Get Started: Steps To Run a Successful Programmatic Ad Campaign
• Advanced Programmatic Strategies and Best Practices
• Digital Advertising Trends: The Future of Programmatic Advertising
• Programmatic Advertising FAQs
A Refresher on Programmatic Advertising
Programmatic advertising makes it easier for advertisers to buy digital space and for publishers to sell it, all through an automated process.
• Publishers are the website owners or app developers who sell ad space (ad inventory).
• Advertisers are businesses or brands looking to buy ad space to promote their products or services.
How It All Comes Together
To put things into perspective, here’s how the entire programmatic advertising process works:
1. Programmatic ad buying starts the moment a user visits a publisher’s website. The available ad space (also known as an impression) is then up for auction.
2. The publisher initiates the action for the ad impression through a supply-side platform (SSP), which automates the selling of the ad space to advertisers.
3. Advertisers use a demand-side platform (DSP) to bid on ad space. These bids are influenced by their campaign goals, budget and data insights provided by a data management platform (DMP).
4. A DMP organizes and processes user data to help advertisers target their ideal audience.
5. The Ad Exchange facilitates a real-time bidding (RTB) auction, where advertisers compete for the ad space.
6. The winning bidder, usually the advertiser offering the highest cost per mile (CPM), secures the ad space.
Finally, the ad is displayed on the website for the user to see and engage in real time.
Although it seems like a long and arduous process, this form of programmatic media buying is automated and happens in just 100 milliseconds. The cycle repeats once a new user clicks on your site or refreshes the page.
If you missed it, our previous blog covers the basics in greater detail: Introduction to Programmatic Advertising: What Is It and How Does It Work
The Pros and Cons of Programmatic Ad Buying: Is It Worth the Investment?
Media buying is a critical part of advertising. It allows advertisers to secure prime ad inventory, ensuring ads reach the intended audience when they’re most likely to click. This helps boost engagement while minimizing cost per action (CPA).
Traditionally, media buying involved manual negotiations with publishers, but programmatic ad buying has made the process more efficient, data-driven and scalable.
Is the shift to programmatic media buying worth the investment, or could your advertising budget be better spent elsewhere?
Let’s find out by exploring programmatic advertising benefits and challenges.
Programmatic Advertising Benefits
Here are compelling reasons why programmatic advertising could work for you:
Effortless Ad Buying
AI and machine learning automate the ad buying process, eliminating much of the legwork in creating proposals, negotiations and ad placements. This allows advertisers to focus more on lead generation, strategy development and ad copy optimization.
Audience Segmentation
Programmatic advertising uses first-party and third-party to segment audiences. First-party data enables you to target existing users, while third-party data from DSPs expands your reach to untapped segments.
Combining this data provides deeper audience insights, enabling more precise ad targeting. Audience segmentation also facilitates the creation of personalized ads and supports smarter decisions on creatives, placements and bidding strategies.
Omnichannel Ad Targeting
Today’s marketers struggle to connect with audiences across various touchpoints. Programmatic advertising simplifies this by enabling advertisers to bid on ad placements across channels, including desktop, mobile, apps and connected TV.
Transparent Ad Placement
Traditional media buying often leaves advertisers in the dark about where their ads will land. In contrast, programmatic advertising shows you exactly where ads appear through real-time bidding. This prevents low-quality placement and ensures ads are displayed in brand-safe, relevant environments.
Less Ad Wastage
Ad wastage is a major issue in advertising, with billions lost due to poor targeting, overbidding and ad fraud. In 2022, $5.46 billion was wasted on digital ad spend. Programmatic media buying helps reduce this waste with data-driven targeting and optimized ad placements.
As programmatic technology becomes more sophisticated, you’ll see fewer missed impressions, higher return on investment (ROI) and better conversion rates.
Programmatic Advertising Challenges
Here are potential roadblocks to watch out for:
Commoditization
Like many media channels, programmatic advertising has become commoditized. Everyone competes for the same ad spaces, and premium ad inventory can be hard to come by. U.S. programmatic ad spending is expected to reach $271 billion by 2025, a jump of over $100 billion from 2021.
Expect even more competition for top-tier placements as demand for premium inventory rises.
Steep Learning Curve
Navigating DSPs, bidding strategies and audience targeting can overwhelm newcomers buying programmatic media. Partnering with an experienced digital marketing agency helps ease the transition and ensure effective campaign execution.
Content Mismatch
Programmatic placements are algorithm-driven, so your ads can sometimes end up on pages that don’t align well with your brand. Even if the overall site is suitable, specific pages may not provide the level of engagement or relevance needed to make the most impact on your audience.
Ad Fraud Risk
Ad fraud is a persistent issue in programmatic advertising, costing businesses $81 billion in 2022 alone. Bots and fake traffic inflate impression counts, driving up costs without real results. While anti-fraud tools are improving, advertisers must stay vigilant to ensure their campaigns reach real audiences.
Data Privacy Concerns
Programmatic ads rely on user data to deliver personalized content, which improves targeting but raises privacy concerns.
Consumers are becoming more cautious about how their data is used, and regulations like Europe’s General Data Protection Regulation and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) enforce strict data collection and storage guidelines.
How To Get Started: 8 Steps To Run a Successful Programmatic Ad Campaign
Kickstarting a successful programmatic ad campaign begins with a clearly defined plan of action (POA). From defining clear goals and identifying your target audience to choosing the right platform, setting a budget, and crafting compelling ad creatives, having this POA will help to maximize reach and engagement.
Ready to launch your first programmatic ad campaign? Follow these steps:
1. Set Campaign Goals
Goals guide the creation and execution of your programmatic ad buying strategies, ensuring they align with your business objectives. They also help you measure success and guide your next steps in budgeting, targeting and campaign optimization.
Here are some programmatic advertising goals to consider:
• I want to establish stronger brand authority in my niche.
• I want to increase engagement with my mobile app.
• I want to grow my SMS or email marketing subscriber list.
• I want to drive more traffic to specific products and services.
• I want to build trust and inspire repeat customers.
• I want to boost overall digital sales.
Once you’ve set your priorities, the next step is to set a budget that supports your goals.
2. Establish a Budget
Budgets remove the guesswork and emotion from spending decisions. Rather than reacting impulsively to market trends or competitor moves, a budget promotes strategic planning based on data-driven insights.
It also helps you track performance, adjust bidding strategies and allocate resources where they’ll have the greatest impact.
To set a budget, assess how much you can allocate toward advertising without straining your overall marketing budget. A general rule of thumb is to allocate 5-10% of your total revenue toward advertising, but this will still depend on your business size and objectives.
3. Segment Your Audience
Audience segmentation improves ad targeting by allowing advertisers to tailor messaging and creative elements to each segment’s preferences.
Most programmatic campaigns begin by creating a buyer persona, a detailed profile of your ideal customer. This persona includes information like where your customer’s job, age, marital status, interests and purchasing behavior.
Depending on the DSP platform, you can segment audiences further by demographics, location, interest, buying intent and device.
Narrowing your target audience ensures the ad budget is spent on the right people, avoiding wasted impressions on those outside your ideal customer profile.
More on audience segmentation: What Is Market Segmentation and How to Use It Best
4. Choose a DSP
Selecting the right demand-side platform is critical to the success of your programmatic advertising campaigns. A good DSP should offer the data and targeting options you need while fitting within your budget.
Here’s what to look for in DSP programmatic ad platforms:
• No Monthly Fees: Some DSPs charge a monthly fee on top of your ad spend. Look for platforms that offer the same targeting and ad capabilities without added costs.
• Extensive Targeting Options: Ensure the DSP provides access to a wide range of premium ad inventories, allowing your ads to appear in the right environments and effectively reach your audience.
• Multiple Ad Formats: Choose a DSP that supports various ad formats, such as banner, video and native ads. Test different ad content to see which one resonates best with your audience.
• Real-Time Analytics: Having access to real-time reporting allows for timely optimizations. A DSP with up-to-the-minute analytics helps you quickly spot and resolve any performance issues as they arise.
• Responsive Customer Support: Choose a DSP with multiple support options, such as live chat, email or phone, for fast assistance and quick resolution.
Here are the most popular DSP programmatic ad platforms:
| Feature/Aspect | Adobe Advertising Cloud | MediaMath | Adroll |
|---|---|---|---|
| User Interface | Designed for enterprise-level clients, intuitive to use | Streamlined interface with advanced functionalities | Easy to use, suitable for businesses of all sizes |
| Data Integration | Seamless integration with Adobe tools and third-party platforms | Strong connections with major ad exchanges and data platforms | Connects well with top eCommerce systems |
| Audience Targeting | Advances targeting through Adobe Audience Manager | Precision targeting using proprietary Brain technology | Focuses on retargeting with customizable creatives |
| AI and Machine Learning | Uses Adobe Sensei for automation and optimization | Predictive AI for smarter bidding | AI-powered recommendations for personalized ads |
| Ad Formats Supported | Supports display, video, audio, native, CTV and other ad formats | Multi-channel formats, including video, mobile and native ads | Supports display, social media, email and video formats |
| Pricing Model | Custom pricing based on usage and ad spend | Flexible pricing based on ad spend and selected features | Available via email, chat and phone support |
| Customer Support | Comprehensive support with training resources | 24/7 support with options for training and consulting | Available via email, chat and phone support |
| Analytics and Reporting | Offers detailed real-time analytics and insights | Provides real-time data with actionable insights | Transparent reporting across all channels |
5. Select an Ad Format
Different ad formats are suitable for different content types. Choosing the right format allows publishers to match ads with the content so they resonate more with your audience.
Here are the different programmatic ad types at a glance:
| Ad Format | Key Benefits |
|---|---|
| Display Ads | Banner-style ads placed in various website locations, such as headers, sidebars or footers, designed to capture attention and drive traffic. |
| Video Ads | Multimedia ads that appear either in-stream (e.g., within a YouTube video) or out-of-stream (e.g., standalone videos on a website). |
| Social Ads | Advertisements displayed on social media platforms, leveraging user data for targeted marketing. |
| Audio Ads | Audio advertisements played on platforms like podcasts and music streaming services. |
| Native Ads | Ads designed to blend in with the website’s content, matching the look and feel of non-ad content. |
| Connected TV (CTV) Ads | Targeted advertisements delivered through internet-connected TVs or devices, shown before or during streaming content. |
| Digital Out-of-Home (DOOH) Ads | Ads displayed on digital billboards and signage in public spaces, targeting passersby in high-traffic areas. |
Here’s more about the common types of programmatic advertising so you can decide which one is best for your business:
Display Ads
Display ads are visual ads that appear on websites in locations like headers, footers or sidebars. Examples include:
• Banner Ads: Image ads displayed on web pages.
• Native Ads: Ads that blend into the website or app content.
• GIF Ads: Ads with animated images.
• Interactive Ads: Ads that engage users by allowing interaction with the product or service.
• Video Ads: Ads in video format.
• Expandable Ads: Ads that expand when clicked.
• Interstitial Ads: Full-screen ads displayed during natural breaks in content.
• Shoppable Ads: Ads that let users add items to their cart in one click without leaving the webpage.
Video Ads
Video ads are clips that play before, during or after content, typically lasting between 10 seconds and two minutes. They come in three formats:
• In-Stream Ads: Shown before, during or after video content on platforms like YouTube.
• Outstream Ads: Appear as banners, pop-ups, within articles or in the corners of web pages.
• In-Feed Ads: Displayed within feeds, recommendations or search results alongside related content.
Connected TV (CTV) Ads
These ads target audiences watching streaming content on interconnected devices like smart TVs, streaming platforms, gaming consoles and platforms like Hulu or Roku. They are displayed before or during shows, enabling targeted messaging for viewers.
Audio Ads
Audio ads are delivered through platforms like podcasts and music streaming services such as Spotify, Apple Music, BBC Sounds, Pandora and Amazon Music. They allow advertisers to target listeners with personalized messages based on their listening habits, creating a less intrusive advertising experience.
Digital Out-of-Home (DOOH) Ads
DOOH ads are displayed on electronic billboards and screens in public spaces. They appear in high-traffic areas such as transit stations, shopping malls and hotels. They offer dynamic, eye-catching advertising opportunities that capture the attention of passersby.
6. Create Effective Ads
Once you’ve signed up with a DSP and selected an ad format, it’s time to set up your campaign and create ads.
Ad fatigue happens when people repeatedly see the same ads, so they start ignoring them. Here’s how to prevent it:
a. Understand Consumer Preferences: What types of content do your audience engage with the most: videos, interactive ads or static posts? You’ll have the best success with ad formats that appeal most to your audience.
b. Personalize Ads: Personalized, dynamic ads can boost click-through and conversion rates. Depending on your DSP and available data, personalize based on factors like location, interests and buying intent.
c. Offer Fresh Creatives: Rotate visuals regularly to keep your ads engaging. Even small changes, like updating a banner or image, can re-engage users and prevent ad fatigue.
d. Optimize Ad Copy: Create ad copy that’s clear, concise and action-driven. Address audience pain points and use strong calls to action, such as “Shop Now for a 10% Discount” or “Sign Up for a Free Trial.”
e. Test, Test, Test: Run A/B tests to see which ads perform better. Use the results to refine your strategy and boost overall performance.
7. Set Up Targeting and Bidding
Programmatic advertising allows you to show ads to your target audience in real time. You can refine your targeting by selecting parameters such as age, gender and interests to ensure your ads reach the most relevant audience.
Typically, you’ll set a daily ad budget during the bidding process. If that budget is reached, your ads will pause until the next day.
If you’re using real-time bidding, your DSP will automatically bid on ad space whenever a user visits a relevant site. As always, the highest bidder wins the placement.
8. Launch and Monitor
Once you’ve set goals, created ads and established budgets, you can upload your ads to a DSP and launch your campaign according to a planned schedule. Ensure your schedule outlines start and end dates, along with key milestones for performance reviews.
Performance monitoring should be ongoing. Track key metrics aligned with your specific goals:
| Goal | KPIs |
|---|---|
| Branding and Awareness – What is XYZ? | Reach/unique reach, average frequency, share of voice, brand lift, views |
| Interest and Consideration – I want to know more about XYZ. | Completed views, leads/cost per acquisition detail page views, click/site visits, engagements |
| Purchase – I am going to buy XYZ. | Return on ad spend (ROAS), subscriptions, advertising cost of sales (ACOS), return on investment (ROI), sales |
More about each metric:
a. Reach/Unique Reach: How many users have seen your ad at least once.
b. Average Frequency: The average number of times a user has seen your ad within a certain timeframe.
c. Share of Voice: The percentage of total advertising in your brand’s market compared to competitors.
d. Brand Lift: The increase in brand awareness and favorability due to your advertising efforts (measured through surveys).
e. Views: The total number of times your video or display ad has been viewed.
f. Completed Views: The percentage of users who watched your video ad in its entirety.
g. Clicks/Site Visits: The number of users who clicked on your ads and visited your website.
h. Detail Page Views: The number of views on your website’s specific product or service pages.
i. Engagements: Total interactions with your ad, including likes, comments and shares.
j. Leads/Cost Per Acquisition (CPA): The number of leads your ads generated and the cost of acquiring each lead.
k. Return on Ad Spend (ROAS): Measures the revenue earned for every dollar spent on advertising.
l. Return on Investment (ROI): Assesses the overall profitability of your ads by comparing revenue generated to total ad costs.
m. Sales: Total revenue generated from your ads.
n. Subscriptions: The number of new subscriptions acquired through your advertising efforts.
o. Advertising Cost of Sales (ACOS): Percentage of revenue spent on advertising.
Advanced Programmatic Strategies and Best Practices
Mastering advanced programmatic strategies with best practices in mind can help elevate your ad campaigns, enhance audience engagement and maximize ROI. As programmatic advertising continues to evolve, these proven strategies will help you stay competitive:
1. Behavioral and Contextual Targeting
An estimated 73% of customers expect personalized experiences, according to a Salesforce study. Behavioral and contextual targeting allows you to serve ads based on user needs.
Behavioral targeting delivers ads based on a user’s web browsing history and behavior. Data is collected from multiple sources through identifiers like tracking pixels or cookies and then stored in a DMP or DSP.
The data is then analyzed to create audience segments based on shopping behavior and interests. For example, if a user frequently searches for hiking gear or clicks on hiking gear ads, camping equipment ads will likely be served to these users.
To take it a step further, you can also use contextual targeting. Here, ads are placed based on webpage content. Say you’re reading an article about the best hiking trails in Arizona; you’ll likely see ads for hiking gear or flights to Arizona.
While behavioral targeting is more personalized, contextual targeting is more privacy-friendly. Both strategies increase ad relevance and are worth incorporating into your digital marketing strategy.
2. Retargeting and Lookalike Audience Retargeting
Retargeting allows you to reconnect with users who visited your site but didn’t convert. A small piece of code (pixel) placed on your site tracks these visitors, allowing you to show them targeted ads later and encourage them to return.
When To Use Retargeting in Your Programmatic Campaigns
• Cart Abandonment: Retarget users who added items to their cart but didn’t complete a purchase.
• Website Visitors: Show ads to users who browsed your site without taking action.
• Lead Nurturing: Engage users who downloaded a resource or signed up but haven’t converted into customers yet.
• High-Value Products: Retargeting keeps your brand top-of-mind for products or services with longer decision cycles.
Lookalike Audience Targeting works similarly, but instead of targeting past visitors, it targets new users who resemble your existing customers.
When To Use Lookalike Audience Retargeting in Your Programmatic Campaigns
• Expand Reach: Target new users who are similar to your target audience.
• Scale Efforts: Reach prospects when your current audience is tapped out.
• Increase Customer Value: Find users similar to your most loyal and high-value customers. These people are more likely to convert and make repeat purchases.
• Enhanced Retargeting: Attract more qualified leads by targeting users similar to those who have already shown interest.
More on this topic: An Expert’s Guide to Successful Retargeting
3. Cross-Device Targeting
Cross-device targeting provides a clear view of how your programmatic ads perform across devices.
With 58.72% of users on mobile, 39.18% on desktop and 2.1% on tablets (as of September 2022), it helps track touchpoints throughout the customer journey, even when people switch between devices.
This helps improve attribution and optimize campaign performance by offering deeper insights into audience behavior across platforms.
4. Conversion Troubleshooting
If your programmatic campaign isn’t driving the expected conversions, it’s time for a quick tune-up to get things back on track.
Some things to consider:
• Landing Page: Ensure visitors land on a page that matches the ad’s message, whether it’s your client homepage or a dedicated landing page.
• Creatives: Does your message hit home? Tailor your copy to focus on your audience’s needs.
• Targeting: Experiment with different targeting options to discover new segments that may convert better.
• Conversion URL: Make sure your conversion URL is set up to track metrics like CPA and conversions. Without it, you’re flying blind.
• Conversion Tag: Verify that your conversion tag is correctly placed. Your data and results will be off if it’s not tracking correctly.
5. Pace Advertising Spend
Pacing your programmatic campaigns ensures your budget lasts the full cycle without overspending too soon or under-delivering.
But how do you pace advertising spend?
In a perfect world, advertisers would have unlimited budgets to spend as long as they hit their ROI goals. But in reality, most digital advertisers must carefully manage tight budgets for programmatic campaigns.
To avoid pacing issues:
Avoid Under Pacing
Under pacing occurs when bids are too low to secure enough impressions. To diagnose the problem, check your win rate (more on this later).
Rather than making sudden changes, gradually increase your bids while monitoring your performance until your win rate improves.
Other ways to pick up the pace while staying on track:
• Test new ad networks, campaign strategies, ads, keywords or audiences.
• Increase daily budgets for well-performing campaigns, especially if you lose impression share due to budget constraints or audience potential.
• Expand targeting strategies while keeping relevance intact.
• Continuously evaluate and adjust bidding strategies for better performance.
• Explore lower-cost networks or channels if ROI can be maintained or improved.
Avoid Over Pacing
If your pacing exceeds 110%, you may be burning through your budget too quickly. If your win rate is above 35%, you can slow down spending by lowering your base and max bids, allowing your budget to last the full campaign while still delivering results.
Other tactics to consider:
• Cut out non-converting networks, campaigns, keywords, placements or audiences.
• Reallocate the budget toward better-performing campaigns.
• Carefully reduce daily budgets to avoid unnecessary spending.
• Narrow down overly broad targeting strategies to focus on relevant audiences.
• Regularly update negative keywords, audiences and site exclusions.
• Evaluate and adjust your bidding strategies for optimal cost.
• Test cheaper ad networks while keeping ROI intact.
6. Optimize Win Rate
Win rate shows how many of your bids win ad placements. A low win rate means your bids aren’t competitive enough to secure impressions. To fix this, gradually increase your bids to win more inventory.
If your win rate is high but you’re still under pacing, it likely means you’ve already captured most of the available impressions. In this case, try expanding your audience, adding new geolocations or exploring other ad networks to increase your reach.
Digital Advertising Trends: The Future of Programmatic Advertising
According to Statista, programmatic advertising is expected to reach $779 billion globally by 2028. From AI innovations to privacy-first strategies, here are the seven key digital advertising trends shaping the future of programmatic advertising.
1. Uptake in AI-Driven Optimization
AI and machine learning analyze patterns and predict real-time outcomes across various data points. As these technologies evolve, AI can combine ad viewing metrics with user data for more accurate ad placements, reducing wasted spend and helping advertisers lower costs.
2. Enhanced Personalization Through AI
With AI, advertisers can enhance personalization through dynamic creative optimization (DCO).
DCO technology generates multiple versions of an ad using the same base creative, but it customizes elements based on the audience, context and past performance. This allows advertisers to create ads that better resonate with consumers.
3. Shift Toward Privacy-Focused Advertising
Consumers are becoming more concerned about how their data is used, creating legal challenges for companies like Meta.
In January 2023, Ireland’s Data Protection Commission fined Meta €390 million for issues surrounding data collection on Facebook and Instagram.
Tactics to help address these privacy concerns include:
• Data Anonymization and Pseudonymization: Removing or encrypting personally identifiable information so data cannot be linked back to individuals.
• Differential Privacy: Adding random noise to data keeps personal information private while allowing useful patterns to emerge.
• Federated Learning: Allowing devices to learn from data without sharing it, keeping data secure while improving models.
• Encryption: Ensures data is securely transmitted and stored.
• Obtain Consent: Legally acquiring user consent, allowing them to opt out anytime.
• Data Minimization: Collecting only necessary data to respect user privacy.
4. The Rise of Addressable TV
As traditional TV viewership declines, advertisers turn to streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu and Disney+ to reach audiences.
Addressable TV allows programmatic advertisers to target specific households watching the same show with different ads.
It’s no surprise that more advertisers are getting on board — 40% had planned to increase their spending on addressable TV in 2024, which is likely to continue into the new year.
5. Navigating a Cookieless Future
The cookieless future is upon us. By 2024, major browsers like Apple and Firefox will have removed third-party cookie support, with Google following soon. This means about one-third of potential audiences use browsers or devices with ineffective third-party cookies.
Advertisers are exploring different alternatives, including:
• First-Party Data: Using data collected directly from users to tailor ads.
• Universal IDs: Developing more precise user identifiers across devices and platforms.
• Contextual Targeting: Serving ads based on the content of web pages to ensure ads are relevant to users.
• Clean Rooms: Placing ads based on the content users are viewing.
• Federated Learning of Cohorts (FLoCs): Grouping users with similar browsing habits to target ads without identifying individuals.
• Customer Data Platforms: Consolidating customer data for deeper audience insights.
• Google’s Privacy Sandbox: A toolset to maintain privacy while enabling targeted ads.
6. Programmatic DOOH Will See Major Growth
Programmatic digital-out-of-home (pDOOH) advertising is set for major growth in 2025, with ad spending projected to increase by 57% from 2023 to 2028. Marketers are embracing programmatic digital-out-of-home (pDOOH) for brand safety and control.
Unlike other digital channels with unpredictable ad placements, pDOOH provides advertisers greater transparency, ensuring ads appear in trusted, high-traffic locations such as malls, transit hubs and city centers.
This level of control allows advertisers to prevent their ads from being displayed alongside inappropriate content, a common concern with display or video ads.
pDOOH also offers granular control over when and where ads are shown, allowing advertisers to target the right audience at the right time.
7. VR and AR Ads Are Unstoppable
The VR ad market value is expected to hit $174 million by the end of 2024 as brands use VR and AR for product demos, virtual showrooms and interactive ads. By 2031, this is forecast to exceed $520 billion.
Platforms like Facebook are gearing up for AR ads, and brands like Domino’s already use Snapchat’s AR to boost customer engagement.
With VR and AR, advertisers can offer immersive experiences like virtual tours, product previews and interactive ads, engaging audiences in new and exciting ways.
Turn Losses Into Gains With a Programmatic Advertising Agency
In terms of targeting, reporting and optimizing your ad spend, programmatic advertising is hands down better than traditional methods. You get real-time data, precision targeting and measurable results that drive more conversions.
If you’re ready to turn your losses into profits with smarter advertising, partner with Thrive Internet Marketing Agency.
Thrive offers programmatic advertising services to boost your digital marketing. Our services include:
• Full Media Planning: Trust us to develop strategies that align with your business objectives, setting up your programmatic ad campaigns for long-term success.
• Omnichannel Campaign Management: Execute coordinated campaigns across websites, mobile apps and social media to maintain consistent brand presence and boost engagement.
• Creative Development and Testing: Eye-catching programmatic ads are designed and continuously tested to optimize the impact of your ad investment.
• Programmatic Video and Audio Advertising: Create engaging video and audio ads that connect with your audience and drive engagement across platforms.
• Ongoing Campaign Consulting and Analysis: We provide continuous analysis and expert insights to refine your strategy for optimal performance.
Achieve higher ROI with programmatic advertising. Talk to our experts.
Programmatic Advertising FAQs
HOW MUCH DOES PROGRAMMATIC ADVERTISING COST?
Programmatic ads are typically purchased on a cost-per-thousand-impression (CPM) basis, meaning you pay for every 1,000 ad views.
Costs vary based on factors like your target audience, industry, ad format and placement. More precise targeting, especially for niche audiences, will raise costs. Still, programmatic ads remain a cost-effective option for social media and traditional advertising, making them ideal even for small businesses with limited budgets.
WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF PROGRAMMATIC ADVERTISING?
Programmatic advertising offers different methods to buy and sell ads. The main types include:
• Real-Time Bidding (RTB): An open auction where ads are bought and sold in real time.
• Private Marketplace (PMP): A closed, invite-only auction offering premium inventory to select advertisers.
• Programmatic Direct: Direct ad buying between advertisers and publishers at a pre-set price, skipping auctions.
• Preferred Deals: Advertisers access premium inventory at a fixed price before it goes to auction.
• Programmatic Guaranteed: A fixed agreement ensuring specific inventory and pricing, with guaranteed ad placements.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PROGRAMMATIC AND DISPLAY ADVERTISING?
Programmatic advertising automates buying ads in real time across various formats, using data to optimize targeting. On the other hand, display advertising focuses specifically on visual ads like banners and is typically more manual.
The main difference is that programmatic automates ad-buying, while display advertising is limited to visual formats and requires more hands-on management.
IS GOOGLE ADS A DSP?
Google Ads functions like a DSP but is limited to Google’s inventory. It allows advertisers to run display campaigns via the Google Display Network (GDN), which has access to over 2 million websites, apps and videos.
WHERE DO PROGRAMMATIC ADS SHOW UP?
Programmatic ads appear across digital platforms wherever ad space is available. They can be static or dynamic and are often displayed on websites, mobile apps, social media feeds, video content and streaming services.
