Choosing the Right Ad Format: Compact vs. Sidebar

When launching a new advertising campaign on our platform, one of the first decisions you need to make is selecting your ad’s visual layout. We offer two distinct ad formats: Compact and Sidebar. Both are designed to drive engagement, but they serve different purposes, have different visual dimensions, and fit uniquely into the user experience.

This guide will help you understand the differences between the two formats so you can choose the best one for your campaign goals.

Understanding the Formats

1. The Compact Format

The Compact format is our default, highly versatile ad layout. It is designed to blend seamlessly into native content streams, making it highly effective for both desktop and mobile users.

• Image Aspect Ratio: 1:1 (Square).
• Minimum CPM: $10.
• Best Used For: Cost-effective campaigns, high-volume impressions, and reaching a predominantly mobile audience.

2. The Sidebar Format

The Sidebar format is a premium, high-impact placement. It is significantly larger and much more visually prominent, making it perfect for catching the eye of users browsing on larger screens.

• Image Aspect Ratio: 16:9 (Landscape).
• Minimum CPM: $20.
• Best Used For: Brand awareness, showcasing high-quality visuals, and capturing high-intent desktop traffic.

Important: Because the Sidebar format provides a much larger visual footprint and premium placement, it requires a minimum CPM (Cost Per Mille) bid of $20. If you switch from Sidebar back to Compact, the minimum CPM requirement drops back to $10.

How to Select Your Ad Format

Choosing your format is simple and can be done right at the beginning of the campaign creation process:

1. Navigate to your Ads Dashboard and click the Create Ad button.
2. At the top of the creation form, look for the Ad Format section.
3. Click the toggle to select either Compact or Sidebar.
4. Watch the Ad Preview box update in real-time. This allows you to see exactly how your ad will look before you save it.
5. Continue filling out your ad title, text, destination URL, and budget.

Pro Tip on Images: You don’t need to worry about manually resizing your images before uploading! Our built-in image uploader will automatically crop your picture to fit your chosen format (Square for Compact, 16:9 for Sidebar). Just upload a high-quality JPG, PNG, or WebP file, and the system will handle the rest.

Strategic Recommendations & Best Practices

To get the most out of your advertising budget, keep these tips in mind when selecting your format:

• Match the Format to Your Creative: If your main asset is a wide, cinematic photograph or a detailed product banner, the Sidebar format will do it justice. If you have a simple logo or a centralized graphic, the Compact square format is ideal.
• Consider Your Budget: If you are testing a new offer with a limited budget, start with the Compact format at a lower CPM. Once you find a winning combination of text and imagery, you can scale up by cloning the ad and testing it as a premium Sidebar placement.
• Review Your Target Devices: While both formats are responsive, the Sidebar format truly shines on Desktop screens. If you are specifically targeting Mobile users via the Device Filters, the Compact format often yields a more native and less intrusive user experience.
• Keep Text Concise: Regardless of the format you choose, your ad text is limited to 140 characters. Make sure your message is punchy, clear, and leads naturally to your chosen Call-to-Action (CTA) button.