Video campaigns

About Connected TV in Display & Video 360

A connected TV is any television set used to stream video over the internet. These are most often videos that are streamed via downloaded apps. Connected TV (CTV) includes streaming devices, smart TVs, set top boxes, and gaming consoles.

Learn more with the Connected TV how-to video series

Connected TV devices and content types

  • Streaming devices: devices that connect to a TV screen to display video streams (Roku, Apple TV, etc.)
  • Smart TV: TVs with integrated internet connections (Samsung Smart TV, etc.)
  • Gaming consoles: internet-connected gaming consoles (Xbox, PlayStation, Wii, etc.)
  • Set top boxes: devices delivering traditional cable and video-on-demand (VOD) content.

Connected TV devices can show different types of content, including:

  • Over-the-top: TV-like video content delivered by a video provider over the internet.
  • Linear / live TV: Traditional television watched as scheduled, delivered through streaming TV apps over the internet rather than traditional broadcast networks.
  • Video on demand (VOD): Television programs that stream on demand at the request of the viewer. This is also referred to as "non-live" or "time-shifted" viewing.

Connected TV insertion orders

The Connected TV insertion order offers a streamlined workflow tailored to buying digital TV inventory across screens. This workflow only features options that are relevant for TV ads, with appropriate configurations selected by default. 

The following line item types can be added to Connected TV insertion orders:

Connected TV inventory can also be purchased through RTB insertion orders. 

Compare Connected TV insertion orders with Standard insertion orders

 Use the chart below to help you determine which insertion order type is right based on your needs:

  Standard insertion order Connected TV insertion order
Suggested video buying options Desktop and mobile digital video content TV and over-the-top content on connected TV devices
Line item types for video
  • Video
  • YouTube & partners
  • Connected TV (over-the-top streaming)
  • YouTube & partners on CTV
Performance goal Multiple, including CPM, CPC, and CPA
  • CTV line items: CPM only
  • YouTube & partners on CTV:  tCPM and CPV
Optimization

Set at line item level

Set at line item level

Targeting All options available

Pre-selected options for the following targeting settings:

  • Apps & URL
  • Position
  • Video
  • Device

The following settings are not available:

  • Keywords
  • Position on screen
  • User rewarded content
  • Browser
  • Connection speed
  • Carrier & ISP

Buying best practices

  • Custom bidding: Custom bidding algorithms are available as a bidding mechanism for connected TV line items so you can optimize toward your own KPIs. Scripts intended to be used with CTV campaigns don't support scoring based on domain. Learn more
  • Connected TV bid adjustments for YouTube & partners line items: Use the connected TV bid adjustment to create YouTube & partners line items that will bid only on connected TV inventory by setting the other available multipliers to -100%. Learn more

Was this helpful?

How can we improve it?

Need more help?

Try these next steps:

true
2024 Privacy Readiness guide

Prepare for a world without third-party cookies and unlock the AI
opportunity by adopting the right durable audience and measurement
solutions.
Start Today

Search
Clear search
Close search
Google apps
Main menu