How Does Server-side Ad Insertion Work?

In our last article, we discussed the difference between Server-side Ad Insertion vs Client-side Ad Insertions (SSAI vs CSAI).

Today, we will understand how the whole process of Server-side Ad Insertion really works.

SSAI Process & Infrastructure

1. A player sends a request for live or video-on-demand (VOD) HLS content from the content distribution network (CDN). The CDN is configured to use ad insertion services as the origin for manifests, rather than the content origin. Each request includes parameters from the player about the viewer, so manifests are unique for that request.
2. The ad insertion service pulls the fully formed template manifest from the content origin server. This manifest includes ad markers so that the ad insertion service knows where to perform an ad insertion or ad replacement.
3. When an ad marker is seen, the ad insertion service sends a request to the ad decision server (ADS), including the player parameters from the content request and the duration of the ad break.
4. The ADS provides a VAST or VMAP response that includes the ads to be played back, based on viewer information gathered from the parameters that the ad insertion service passed through, current ad campaigns, and ad tracking URLs to report ad playback to.
5. The ad insertion service manipulates the manifest to include the URLs for the appropriate ads from the VAST or VMAP response.
6. The ad insertion service provides the fully customized manifest to the requesting player via the CDN (the CDN cannot cache this response as it is unique to the player).
7. As playback progresses, either the ad insertion service or the video player reports how much of an ad is played. Using server-side reporting, the service sends ad viewing reports to the ad tracking URL directly, with no input required from HTTP
8. s://www.dhirubhai.net/redir/general-malware-page?url=you%2eAs the player requests ad segments throughout content playback, if the ad is not already transcoded in a format that matches the video content, the ad insertion service transcodes the ad at the time of the ad segment request. If an ad is not already transcoded, the service doesn't present it for playback at the first request.

AWS Elemental MediaTailor

AWS Elemental MediaTailor is a channel assembly and personalized ad insertion service

Features of MediaTailor

Server-side Ad Insertion

• AWS Elemental MediaTailor allows you to insert advertising content at the location of the start of a requested stream, prior to delivery.
• A unique manifest file is maintained for each user request.
• Advertising content is seamlessly inserted into the primary content stream and can be played from the same source location, which reduces the risk of buffering and ad blockers blocking the content

Media Manifest Manipulation

• All content is delivered with a consolidated manifest that includes content and personalized ads in a continuous stream.
• Support for HTTP Live Streaming (HLS) and Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP (DASH) standard manifests and playlists including Common Media Application Format (CMAF) means that the live stream can be viewed on a broad range of devices and players.

Third-Party & other AWS service integrations

• MediaTailor easily integrates with any third-party provided components on the workflow like CDN, Ad decision server, origin server, etc
• AWS Elemental MediaTailor as a standalone service or integrate it with AWS services for live video encoding, VOD processing, just-in-time packaging, or media-optimized storage.

How MediaTailor Work?

Channel assembly with Ad insertion

Personalized Ad Insertion

Benefits of MediaTailor

Efficient linear channel creation and distribution

• Create live streams with low running costs by using existing encoded content.
• Provide viewers with better quality video using advanced codecs for higher quality with fewer bits to reduce distribution costs.

Engage audiences with relevant content

• Increase engagement with your audiences by delivering content and ads that are relevant with personalized ad insertions.?

Seamless experience across different devices

• Viewers get a seamless, TV-like viewing experience without buffering between program content and ad breaks.?

Increase effectiveness of monetization

• Faster and better return on investment (ROI) with assembled live channels that have a low running cost, and personalized ads that provide a higher return for each ad impression.

Accurate ad view reporting

Getting Started with MediaTailor:

Steps for Ad Insertion

Steps for Channel Assembly