Postroll

What Is A Postroll?

A postroll ad is a type of video advertisement that plays after the main video content has ended. Unlike preroll ads that appear before the video starts and midroll ads that play during the video, postroll ads are positioned at the end of the content, targeting an audience that has already shown sustained interest in the video.

Why Do Advertisers Use Postroll Ads?

Engaged Audience

Advertisers consider postroll ads effective because they target viewers who have completed watching the content. This indicates a higher level of engagement and interest, making them more likely to receive the ad message positively.

Enhanced User Experience

Postroll ads respect the viewer’s experience by not interrupting the content, leading to a potentially less intrusive form of advertising. This can result in better reception and reduced ad fatigue.

Strong Call to Action

Since postroll ads appear after the content, they can leverage the viewer’s engaged state to deliver a strong call to action (CTA). This is an opportune moment to encourage next steps, whether it be visiting a website, signing up for a service, or watching another related video.

Best Practices of Postroll Adverts

To maximize the impact of postroll ads, here are some best practices advertisers should consider:

  1. Keep it Short and Sweet. Given the attention span of viewers, it’s critical to keep postroll ads concise. Typically, a duration of 15-30 seconds is optimal to maintain interest.
  2. Relevance. Ensure that the postroll ad is relevant to the content that the viewer just watched. Contextual relevance can significantly enhance the effectiveness of the ad.
  3. Strong Visuals and Messaging. Leverage strong visuals and a clear, compelling message that can capture attention quickly. The postroll ad should be engaging and convey the intended message without ambiguity.
  4. Clear Call to Action (CTA). A powerful CTA is crucial. Since postroll viewers are already engaged, directing them towards a desired action—whether it’s a website visit, a product purchase, or another form of engagement—can yield high conversion rates.
  5. Quality Over Quantity. Focusing on producing high-quality, creative, and impactful ads rather than saturating the space with numerous mediocre ones can lead to better outcomes.

Importance of Postroll Ads

The significance of postroll ads is undeniable, as they offer a powerful opportunity to leave a lasting impression on viewers who have already engaged with the content. Here are a few reasons why they are important:

  • Complements Content Strategy: Postroll ads complement a broader content strategy by ensuring that the advertisement feels like a natural continuation rather than an interruption. This seamless integration helps in maintaining a positive viewer experience.
  • High Conversion Potential: Due to the timing, postroll ads often have high conversion potential. As the viewer is already engaged and has invested time in the content, they are more likely to take action on compelling postroll ads.
  • Branding and Recall: Postroll ads can be an effective tool for brand recall. Since they are the last thing viewers see, a well-executed postroll ad can leave a lasting impression about the brand or product.
  • Analytics and Insights: Postroll ads allow advertisers to gather valuable insights regarding viewer behavior and ad effectiveness. Metrics such as completion rates and clicks can help in fine-tuning future ad strategies.

Last Thoughts

Postroll ads are a vital component of a comprehensive advertising strategy in the digital video landscape. By targeting an engaged audience, offering a non-intrusive user experience, and leveraging strong calls to action, postroll ads present a unique opportunity for brands to connect with viewers meaningfully.

When executed with best practices in mind, postroll ads can drive higher engagement, enhance brand recall, and increase conversion rates, solidifying their importance in the marketer’s toolkit.

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Natalia Bandach
Cloudinary Logo Natalia Bandach

In my experience, here are tips that can help you better optimize postroll ads:

  1. Leverage dynamic content personalization
    Use AI-driven tools to tailor postroll ads based on viewer behavior, demographics, or past interactions. Personalized ads can boost engagement and conversion rates.
  2. Optimize postroll placement for different devices
    Mobile users tend to have shorter attention spans, so keep postrolls even shorter (5-15 seconds) compared to desktop users who may tolerate slightly longer ads.
  3. Use sequential storytelling
    If your ad campaign involves multiple touchpoints, ensure the postroll continues the narrative rather than repeating the same message viewers may have already seen in preroll or midroll ads.
  4. Incorporate interactive elements
    Make postroll ads clickable, include QR codes, or use interactive overlays that allow viewers to engage directly instead of passively watching.
  5. Test silent and auto-captioned postrolls
    Many viewers may have sound turned off. Ensure your postroll ad works without audio by incorporating captions or strong visual storytelling.
Last updated: Mar 19, 2025