Ad insertion that happens at the server, not the device. The ad becomes part of the stream itself, which eliminates the quality drop and buffering gap that used to mark the transition into an ad break. It also makes client-side ad blocking ineffective, because the ad is indistinguishable from the content at the delivery layer. For advertisers, SSAI generally means cleaner delivery and more reliable impression tracking. The verification question is whether the ad actually rendered, not just whether it was inserted.
Ad tech glossary
SSAI (Server-Side Ad Insertion)
Technical definition
Technology that stitches advertising content into video streams at the server level rather than the client device.
The ADLINGO translation
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Related terms
- Audience Addressability
- AVOD (Advertising-Based Video On Demand)
- AVOD Stacking
- Co-Viewing Measurement
- Competitive Separation
- CTV (Connected TV)
- Deal Discovery
- Dynamic Ad Load
- Dynamic Pod Optimization
- FAST (Free Ad-Supported Television)
- Header Bidding for CTV
- Pod Length
Where this shows up
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Supply is outpacing demand. Scarcity has collapsed into sports. And the most useful phrase in the market right now isn't volume or price. It's "the shape of the deal."
⏸️ Pause Ads
I'm back from CES, where (and I can't believe I'm saying this) pause ads were having a moment. I did not have this one on my bingo card. Yes, those ads that pop up when you hit pause on your TV.
Get Better CTV Quality in 2025
I'm not big on New Year's resolutions, but I do want you to look me in the eye and promise that you will press for better CTV quality in 2025. Oh...you thought it all ran on a TV in a living room? Have a seat. We need to talk.