A VAST ad tag URL is used by a player to retrieve video and audio ads.
Example of a VAST ad tag URL
A sample VAST ad tag URL, with parameters and assigned values would look something like this:
https://securepubads.g.doubleclick.net/gampad/ads?env=vp&gdfp_req=1&output=vast&iu=/1234/video-demo&sz=400x300&unviewed_position_start=1&ciu_szs=728x90,300x250
Generate video and audio ad tags
You can create a VAST ad tag URL in one of two ways:
- In Google Ad Manager: Generate video and audio ad tags from your ad units
- Manually: Assemble or modify URL using guidance from VAST ad tag parameters
Test VAST tags with the VAST suite inspector, then review using these sample tags.
General requirements and information about the URL
- Protocol: VAST ad tags support both http and https. Impression tracking URLs respect the current SSL setting and return as either http or https. Click-through and click-tracking use http since they redirect from another page.
- Domain: The use of dynamic domains, created via the pattern match macro or any other dynamic method, is not allowed and will result in an error.
- Live traffic: Ad tag URLs for live stream video must contain
/livein their path to ensure the ability to handle heavy traffic volumes, where all ad breaks are delivered at the same time.
Learn more
- See a list of all VAST ad tag URL parameters
- See required and recommended parameter lists by implementation type