Ad unit can contain video, sound or other interactivity.
Ad Specifications
Audio must be user click-initiated and never automatic.
If audio is used, creative must include an On/Off switch for users.
Animation is limited to first 30 seconds or 3 loops maximum not exceeding 30 seconds. Use animation carefully - Keep animation smooth and fluid, using slow motion and gentle fades. Fast and abrupt motion is highly irritating. Avoid experiences that 'break through' the page or abuse the content.
Creative must feature a 1 pixel border (gray [#666666] or black recommended, though any color that clearly distinguishes the ad from the content may be used).
Click destination URL must open into a new browser.
Load Requirements
Initial Load Size: Max 50 Kb
Subsequent Polite Load Size:
Up to 4 additional download streams upon user click are permitted. Each additional stream may not exceed 100KB.
Up to 400KB for SWFs (animation/interaction) and 2.2 MB for FLVs (video)
Audio Specification
User initiated only
On-load Audio: No sound
Video Specification
Unser-initiated Video:
Can include “Click to Continue”, “Click to Play” or “Reply” buttons
o Must include: progress bar, play/pause/stop button, mute/un-mute button.
Actions on User Click: Once Pause or Stop is clicked; there should be zero animation or video. All sound and animation should stop upon exit click.
General Specification
Ads cannot mimic Windows or Skype Products, any Skype experience, designs, graphics, colors or logos without prior approval
Ads cannot have ‘strobing’ effects
All ads must have a visible border
Z-index for rich media ads should be set to 1000000 and wmode=opaque
No pop-ups, floating ads, expanding ads, or any ads with un-user initiated audio.
Mouse effects are allowed provided that such effects must be user initiated (by rollover or click) and are always under the control of the user.
Click to Call Functionality
Studio Creative only, due date is 7 business days prior to launch date
Formatting:
Must clearly specify Call Center Hours of operation in creative
Recommended to use the Skype “Free Call” button but not mandatory. If used, “Free Call” button must be used “as-is” save that it may be re-sized provided that any re-sizing does not change any other attribute/color/aspect ratio. Any other use of “Skype”, the Skype Logo, the “S” Logo, Skype colors or “Click & Call” is prohibited.
Implementation – Advertisers are responsible for:
Providing a toll free PSTN number (“1 800” type)
Click & Call button integration within the Studio creative (“free call button.pdf”)
AS code integration within the Studio creative (“Click & Call AS Studio Implementation.txt”)
Toll Free Numbers
Below list of Toll free numbers are the only numbers that are currently supported in Skype:
Country
CC
A&O A13
Country Dialing Code
Toll Free Numbers Accepted
Australia
AU
APAC
61
1800
Austria
AT
Western Europe
43
800
France
FR
FR
33
800, 805, or 809
Germany
DE
DE
49
800
Netherlands
NL
Western Europe
31
800
Poland
PL
CEE
48
800
Taiwan
TW
GCR
886
80, 81
United Kingdom
UK
UK
44
500, 800 or 808
United States
US
US
1
800, 855, 866, 877, or 888
Certified Rich Media Vendors
Unicast
MediaMind
Admotion
Adrime
Adman
Data Reported
AdReports:
Ad impressions / Clicks
Data Collection
Advertisers cannot generate a list of Skype users.
Advertisers may not give Skype user data collected through running an ad to any third party, including information derived from targeting criteria.
Microsoft permits advertisers to collect user-provided personal information (for example, through web forms embedded in ads).
Advertisers may be required to modify ad units or provide additional disclosure in order to be acceptable for advertising on Microsoft sites.
Advertisers wishing to collect personal information (according to specifications above) within advertisements must follow these guidelines:
Clearly identify organization
Provide link to privacy policy (usually adjacent to the web form’s “submit” button)
