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What are CTV Catalog Ads?

CTV catalog ads bring product feeds to connected TV. Learn how they work, what to show, and how to measure.
Brief Definition

CTV catalog ads use product feeds to generate dynamic TV creatives—showcasing top sellers, discounted items, or highly reviewed products. They bring catalog performance tactics to the big screen.

Understanding CTV Catalog Ads

CTV catalog ads swap the single brand spot for product‑driven segments that rotate through items. Templates pull titles, prices, and ratings directly from your feed so details stay current without manual edits. Because viewers sit farther from the screen, clear typography and large product visuals matter. Safe zones keep prices and ratings visible across TV interfaces. Pair spots with landing pages that mirror the featured items.

The format brings catalog performance tactics to the big screen without bespoke production for each SKU. Rules select what to show—best sellers, highest discount, top‑rated—so creative stays relevant. Updating the feed updates the ad automatically for price and availability. Geo and time windows tailor spots to local store hours or shipping cutoffs. Together, these traits make CTV catalog ads an efficient way to scale.

Why CTV Catalog Ads matter

How CTV Catalog Ads work

CTV catalog ads work by connecting your product feed to a CTV platform that supports catalog templates. You define rules such as best sellers, highest discount, or top‑rated to select items. The platform renders short video spots from the data with price and rating overlays sized for distance. Safe zones and legibility guides ensure details read on TV screens. Geo/time targeting aligns spots to store hours or shipping windows. Landing pages map directly to featured products to complete the path.

Key Takeaways

  • CTV catalog ads display product-level video dynamically on connected TV platforms.
  • Use 16:9 templates with clear, TV-sized text and bold product imagery for legibility.
  • CTV offers premium, full-screen inventory for catalog campaigns with household-level targeting.
  • Track performance by product category and daypart to optimize CTV catalog spend.
Related Terms
Related Blogs
FAQs
How do I measure success for CTV catalog ads?
Use site lift, geo/time holdouts, and matched-market tests; track product-level traffic.
Do I need video for every SKU in CTV catalog ads?
Templates generate video from images; start with top categories and expand.
Can I personalize CTV catalog ads by region or time?
Yes—use rules and product sets to swap products in CTV catalog ads by geo, time windows, or viewing context.
Do CTV catalog ads need sound?
Yes—CTV catalog ads are typically sound-on unlike social; design for spoken value props and use music/sound effects appropriately.
How much do CTV catalog ads cost compared to social?
CTV catalog ads typically cost more (higher CPMs) than social due to premium inventory, but reach incremental audiences beyond social platforms.

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