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how to use vast ads on blogspot

Understanding What VAST Ads Are

VAST stands for “Video Ad Serving Template.” It’s a standard protocol developed by the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) that enables video players to display video ads from ad servers. These ads can be pre-roll (before the video), mid-roll (during), or post-roll (after).

VAST allows publishers like Blogspot users to monetize video content using third-party ad networks. When implemented correctly, it offers a seamless way to deliver video ads across multiple devices and platforms, even on blogs without native ad support like Blogspot.

Why Use VAST Ads on Blogspot?

Blogspot doesn’t support traditional server-side ad integration for video content. However, you can still show video ads by using external players or services that support VAST. This approach allows Blogspot users to generate revenue from video views and increase their monetization potential beyond basic banner ads.

Using VAST ads offers several benefits:

  • Access to high-paying video ad campaigns
  • Standardized ad serving compatible with many networks
  • Scalable for desktop and mobile users

Step-by-Step: How to Use VAST Ads on Blogspot

Since Blogspot doesn’t natively support embedding VAST ads, the method involves using a video player that can handle VAST tags. Here's a beginner-friendly way to implement this using a third-party player like JW Player or Video.js with a plugin.

1. Get a Video Player That Supports VAST

You need a player that understands VAST XML. Options include:

  • JW Player: Popular but requires a premium account for VAST support.
  • Video.js with contrib-ads plugin: Open-source option that allows more flexibility.
  • Google IMA SDK: Advanced integration for experienced developers.

For this article, we’ll use a simplified method using Video.js with a hosted player.

2. Get a VAST Tag URL from an Ad Network

To use VAST, you need access to a video ad network that provides VAST tag URLs. Some networks that offer this include:

  • ExoClick
  • Vdo.ai
  • SpotX
  • AdPlayer.Pro

After signing up, you’ll receive a VAST ad tag that looks like this:

https://ad-network.com/vast?zoneid=12345

3. Embed the Video Player in Blogspot

To insert a VAST-compatible video player into Blogspot, switch to the HTML editor in your post and add the following code:

<link href="https://vjs.zencdn.net/8.3.0/video-js.css" rel="stylesheet" />
<script src="https://vjs.zencdn.net/8.3.0/video.min.js"></script>
<script src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/videojs-contrib-ads@6/videojs.ads.min.js"></script>
<script src="https://imasdk.googleapis.com/js/sdkloader/ima3.js"></script>

<video id="my-video" class="video-js vjs-default-skin" controls preload="auto" width="640" height="360" data-setup='{}'>
  <source src="https://yourdomain.com/path-to-video.mp4" type="video/mp4" />
</video>

<script>
  var player = videojs('my-video');
  player.ima({
    adTagUrl: 'https://ad-network.com/vast?zoneid=12345'
  });
</script>

This setup initializes a video player that will load and display a VAST video ad before your actual video plays. Replace the src with your own video file and the adTagUrl with the one from your ad provider.

4. Host Your Video and Scripts

Blogspot doesn’t allow hosting video files or JavaScript files directly, so you’ll need a hosting service for:

  • Your video file (.mp4)
  • Optional custom scripts or player plugins

Free hosting options include:

  • GitHub Pages
  • Cloudflare R2 (free tier)
  • Netlify

Tips for Better Monetization and SEO

Here are extra tips to make the most of your VAST integration on Blogspot:

1. Use Relevant Video Content

Don’t show ads on unrelated or low-quality videos. Google and most ad networks prefer video content that provides genuine value. Educational content, tutorials, and reviews tend to perform better with ads.

2. Use Video Schema Markup

Improve your SEO by adding schema markup to your post. Use the <script type="application/ld+json"> tag to define videoObject data. This helps Google index your video and potentially show it in video-rich results.

3. Don’t Overload with Ads

Keep a good balance between content and ads. Too many ads can hurt user experience and decrease your blog's SEO performance. Stick to one ad per video for best results.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Using unsupported players: Not all players can read VAST tags. Make sure to use one with IMA or contrib-ads support.
  • Wrong VAST URL: A mistyped or expired VAST URL will stop ads from playing entirely.
  • No fallback content: Always provide a playable video source even if ads don’t load.

Conclusion: Turning Blogspot Into a Video Ad Platform

Even though Blogspot has limitations compared to WordPress or self-hosted sites, with a bit of creativity and the right tools, you can still monetize your video content using VAST ads. By using a third-party video player and embedding it correctly with a working ad tag, you gain access to high-value video ad inventory and build an additional revenue stream.

Keep optimizing your content, provide value to your visitors, and explore ad networks that work well with your niche. With consistency and the right setup, your Blogspot blog can evolve into a powerful platform for video monetization.

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