Digital advertising evolves constantly — from algorithms and platforms to user behavior. Yet one thing remains unchanged: choosing the right ad format still defines the success of your campaign. This choice determines whether your offer reaches the right audience and how quickly it starts generating conversions.
It’s essential to remember that every format can deliver strong results if you have high-quality creatives and a clear objective.
At TrafficStars, we analyzed hundreds of thousands of campaigns and over $2 billion in ad spend throughout 2025 to identify which formats perform best across different verticals — and why.
According to our network data, the most popular formats remain classic Popunder and Video. While Google continues its efforts against popunders, users still respond actively to this format. Unlike many mainstream sites overloaded with advertising spots, adult platforms remain less cluttered — making the ads more visible and effective.
Interestingly, the share of non-adult offers in our network continues to grow. For example, in 2025 we saw a strong increase in Betting advertisers. That’s no surprise: the adult audience overlaps almost perfectly with the betting audience — men aged 25-45, highly active online and open to new offers. Advertising on adult sites not only drives direct conversions but also helps build brand awareness over time.
Our Insights by Format and Vertical
1. Webcams (Freemium & Premium)
Top formats: Popunder and Video
Video is always a top performer — it shows the product itself: models, atmosphere, and engagement.
Popunder consistently delivers volume, especially when creatives highlight top rooms or exclusive shows.
Tip: GIF banners and Native ads also work well for beginners with smaller budgets.
2. Betting
Top formats: Popunder and Video
Video works great when the clip shows the process — bet → win → emotions.
Popunder is ideal for fast testing and broad reach, especially when paired with pre-landers offering light interactivity (“guess the winner,” “check your luck”).
Tip: If you don’t have the right creatives yet, contact our team — we can create a video that captures users’ attention.
3. Dating
Top formats: Video, Popunder, and Native
Video delivers emotion and atmosphere, instantly engaging users.
Popunder is a powerful tool for fast attraction and registrations.
Native is a soft reminder that brings users back without being intrusive.
Tip: Pre-landers help increase user engagement with your product.
4. E-commerce
Top formats: Popunder and Banners
Popunder quickly showcases the product — perfect for sales and flash deals.
Banners are great for retargeting and reminders (e.g., “Back in stock” or promotional product sets).
Tip: Black Friday and similar seasonal sales are the best times to launch your campaigns.
5. Nutra / Pharmacy
Top formats: Video and Banners
Video demonstrates the product and results clearly (“before/after”).
Banners (especially GIFs) work well for short, looping stories.
Tip: Make sure your banner creatives are high quality — that’s crucial for this vertical.
General Recommendations for All Verticals
- Set up the pixel to send conversion data and enable optimization.
- Don’t stop tests too early. Let your campaign run for at least a few days so the algorithm can collect enough data.
- Use TrafficStars’ built-in tools:
Retargeting – bring back your loyal audience. Available in Settings → Targeting → Advanced → Retargeting
Optimizer – automatic optimization based on key events for your product. Located in the top menu of your dashboard.
Prime List – a ready-to-use whitelist of our top-performing publishers. Use it for testing and scaling.
Video Production – reach out to us for help creating or adapting video creatives tailored to your goals.
Our account managers are always here to help with creative recommendations, frequency settings, and campaign optimization.
Don’t hesitate to contact your manager or our support team for personalized advice.
Conclusion
An ad format isn’t just a technical tool — it’s a communication channel between you and your audience.
By choosing the right format for your specific goal — reach, engagement, trust, or retention — you turn clicks into customers and impressions into brand recognition.
TrafficStars analyzes thousands of campaigns every month to understand which formats truly perform.
Want to find the perfect strategy for your offer? Contact our team — we’ll help you build a solution that fits your vertical.
Network Data & Statistics
Webcams
Top formats: Video – 44%, Popunder – 37%, Tabs – 7%, 300x100 – 6%, Native – 1%, Interstitial – <1%
Betting
Top formats: Popunder – 65%, Video – 27%, Others (300x100, Native, Interstitial) – 8%
Dating
Top formats: Video – 50%, Popunder – 25%, Native – 25%
E-commerce
Top formats: Popunder – 87%, Tabs – 7%, 300x100 – 6%
Nutra / Pharmacy
Top formats: Video – 62%, 300x100 – 38%
