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Welcome to the AutoTrader.com Online Advertising Guide

From technical specifications to creative guidelines, here is everything you need to develop a successful ad on AutoTrader.com.

Rich Media Guidelines

Maximum Initial Creative Load Size: 40k .swf, .jpg or .gif; Max:15 sec animation length

Max Additional Panel/Tab Load Size: 60k .swf, .jpg or .gif

Audio Initiation: On-click Only

*If 728x90 In-Line Promo ad expands, it is recommended that the rich media provider package this placement with Push Down functionality as opposed to Expandable functionality.

**ONLY applies to the 300x100 Tier 2 placement on the Homepage. Prior approval is REQUIRED for expansion.

Video (In-Banner)

Availability:Available in all Autotrader.com approved ad sizes.
Format:Must be built by an approved Rich Media vendor.
File Size:Alt image GIF/JPG = 20k
Initial Flash = 40k
Total File Size = 2.2MB (with video)
Animation/Looping:Allowed.
Unlimited looping within 15 seconds
Video:Format: True Streaming. Progressive download available on click only.
Length: 30 seconds max
File Size:2.2MB
Audio:

On click or mouse-over. If on mouse-over, there must be a 1 second delay. The audio must stop when the banner is moused-off.

Length: 30 seconds maximum on audio served in conjunction with a video stream. Audio served independent of a video stream may be 15 or 30 seconds.

Preferred Rich Media Partners

PointRoll, EyeBlaster, Doubleclick, EyeWonder, Unicast

Additional Information

  • There is a 100k total Max Weight on the page at any given time.
  • The "W Mode" must be set to "opaque". It should not be set to "transparent" or no setting at all.
  • The roll over " hot spot" can only take upto 33% of the ad space
  • The ad must have a clearly marked "call to action" Ex. 'Rollover to Expand'
  • The action that causes the panel to expand, MUST also cause the panel to retract.
  • Click open/click close: The creative can be set to expand with the user click; the panel retracts when the user clicks a clearly marked close button.
  • Mouse over/mouse off: When a user passes a mouse over the creative, the panel expands; the panel retracts when the mouse is removed. The creative still needs a clearly marked close button that closes the panel upon click.