---
title: Instream Monetization
description: You can now manage instream video monetization directly from the platform. This guide explains how to create and configure your instream adunits, and map your bidders. Instream monetization lets you s
---

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# Instream Monetization

You can now manage instream video monetization directly from the platform. This guide explains how to create and configure your instream adunits, and map your bidders.

### ✅ What is Instream Monetization?

Instream monetization lets you serve video ads through a programmatic workflow based on Prebid and GAM. The entire setup of adunit is integrated into the platform — no manual coding required.

You only need to call a dedicated function to trigger an auction before your initialize your video player.

It works with any video player and supports both server-side and client-side bidders.

### 🔓 Activation

To access instream, your account must have the **Instream** feature enabled.

If you don’t see the options described below, please contact your CS or Country manager.

### 🧱 1. Create an Instream Adunit

![image](https://help.pubstack.io/hs-fs/hubfs/image.webp?width=688&height=650&name=image.webp)

Go to **Ad units \> add Adunit**

Set Identification and devices section.

Choose the type: **Instream**

By default, the adunit includes:

- **Size**: 640×480
- **Duration**: min 1 sec, max 30 sec

![image (1)](https://help.pubstack.io/hs-fs/hubfs/image%20(1).webp?width=688&height=402&name=image%20(1).webp)

You can then configure the **video-specific settings**:

You can expand the **Advanced settings** section to configure your video playback behavior:

![image (2)](https://help.pubstack.io/hs-fs/hubfs/image%20(2).webp?width=683&height=879&name=image%20(2).webp)

| Option | Description |
| --- | --- |
| **Start playing when** | Choose when the ad should start (e.g. page load with sound off) |
| **Position on screen** | Define where the player appears (optional) |
| **Allow skippable ads** | Enable or disable skip functionality |
| **Placement (plcmnt)** | Choose between `Instream` or `Accompanying content` |
| **Video bitrate settings** | Set a min and max bitrate (e.g. 750–6000 kbps) |
| **Protocols allowed** | Select which video standards are accepted (VAST 2/3/4, VPAID, SIMID) |

 

---

### 🔁 2. Add Bidders

Once the adunit is created, go to the **Mapping** section to add bidders.

- You can use **client-side or server-side** bidders.
- For each bidder, enter the required `bids.params` values (like placement ID, zone ID…).

---

### ⚙️ 3. Deploy in a Stack

To activate your adunit:

- Make sure it is included in a **live stack**
- Ensure the stack is deployed

⚠ If the adunit is not linked to a deployed stack, it won’t be initialized on page load.

---

### 💻 4. Trigger the Auction with `kleanads.monetize()`

On the page, you must call the `kleanads.monetize()` function to launch the auction and get the targeting values used to call GAM.

- `monetize()` returns the targeting object
- You must pass this info to your player or GAM via macros (`cust_params`)
- The ad is then played using the wrapped VAST

More details - [Pubstack generic Instream integration](https://www.notion.so/Pubstack-generic-Instream-integration-1912eb0d78c0805e822ce34894efe319?pvs=21)

---

### 📊 5. Analytics

Basic metrics are available in your platform dashboards:

- **Impressions**
- **Revenue**
- **CPM**

These are tracked via events injected into the VAST.

More video-specific KPIs (quartiles, errors, playback events) will be added in a future update.

---

### 🧪 6. Troubleshooting

If your instream ad is not displaying or not monetizing correctly, here are the most common issues to check:

| Issue | What to check |
| --- | --- |
| ❌ Ad is not showing | Ensure the `monetize()` function is called **before** the player is initialized. |
| ❌ No bid is returned | Make sure the adunit is correctly **mapped to at least one bidder**. |
| ❌ GAM call is missing | Verify that the **targeting object** returned by `monetize()` is passed to GAM (via `cust_params` or macro). |
| ❌ Adunit not monetized | Confirm the adunit is part of a **live and deployed stack**. |
| ❌ Instream option not visible in UI | Check that the **Instream** feature flag is enabled for your account. |

 

ℹ️ If everything looks correct and the issue persists, contact your TAM or open a support request through the platform.

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