Standard Specifications:

GIF/JPG

·      File weight may not exceed 100KB

• Looping/Flashing can continue upon load for a period of 15 seconds maximum.

·      Creative must have a distinct border to clearly identify where the page ends, and advertisement begins.

·      Linking URLs must be domain name based and cannot be the IP address (i.e., http://207.123.456.78 )

HTML

• HTML code cannot exceed 3k.
• 2 images maximum, total file size of images cannot exceed 100KB.
• Client-side image maps are acceptable and must be provided by the client.
• Forms tags in HTML code must use "get" in the method.
• CGIs referenced in the HTML code must be active at the time of ad submission for validating/testing the ad HTML code, and able to handle the traffic load. Ads with CGIs which are not active and/or cannot handle the projected traffic will not be accepted.
• Looping/Flashing can continue upon load for a period of 15 seconds maximum.

·       Creative must have a distinct border to clearly identify where the page ends, and advertisement begins.

• Linking URLs must be domain name based and cannot be the IP address (i.e., http://207.123.456.78 )

Rich Media Specifications:

Flash

• Flash versions 5,6,7 & 8 are allowed
• File weight may not exceed 100KB
• Frame rate may not exceed 24 frames per second. 12 frames per second is recommended.
• Looping/Flashing can continue upon load for a period of 15 seconds maximum.

·       Creative must have a distinct border to clearly identify where the page ends, and advertisement begins.

·       Linking URLs must be domain name based and cannot be the IP address (i.e., http://207.123.456.78 )

• Both flash 5-6 swf files will be displayed for Flash 6.0 to 6.0.0.65 plug in browsers only. If the browser does not support Flash 6.0 and above, the alternate image will be served.
• Alternate image files are required and must conform to the GIF/JPG specs noted above.
• Loading files from cross domains is not permitted for security reasons.
• Audio must be initiated by User Click.
• Audio must end either simultaneously or before the ad finishes playing.
• Audio must be encoded at a maximum volume of -12 db.
• Flash Looping (NOTE – This can not be used for files serving on Yahoo content) : The APT system limits the umber of loops in a Flash creative to 1 by default.. To loop a Flash creative more than once, use the work around below…
• To toggle the number of loops a developer would have to write in the appropriate logic. It is not gotoAndPlay by itself which loops the swf twice. The actual code should be something like the following (inserted into the last frame of the swf)
• //If already looped once stop
• if (i > 0)
• {
• stop ();
• } // end if
• else{
• i = 1;
• gotoAndPlay(1);
• }

Flash 6 Specifications

• The Flash 6 swf file can be published as compressed.
• The use of Shared Objects is not permitted.
• Accessing the user's microphone or WebCam is not permitted.

Flash 7 Specifications

• All Flash 6 specs apply to Flash 7 ads.
• Streaming video is allowed when using FLV streaming format. If larger files are required, you can serve the ad with one of our Rich Media Technology Vendors.
• The use of Clip board is not permitted.

Expandable Ads

• Mouse Over / Mouse Off: When the user passes a mouse over the creative, the panel expands; the panel retracts when the mouse is removed
• Click Open / Click Close: The creative can be set to expand with User Click; the panel retracts when the mouse is removed or with a second User Click.

Pop-Under Ads

• Creatives can be GIF/JPG or vendor supplied script

·       GIF/JPG  file weight may not exceed 30KB

·       Vendor supplied scripts may not exceed 4k in weight

• Looping/Flashing can continue upon load for a period of 15 seconds maximum.

·       Creative must have a distinct border to clearly identify where the page ends, and advertisement begins.

·       Linking URLs must be domain name based and cannot be the IP address (i.e., http://207.123.456.78 )

Floating Ads

The floating element must:

• Be linked to an in-page banner; it must fly out of or into the banner.
• "Fly" across the page, pausing for no more than one second over any given piece of content. (For example, if the word "hello" appears on the page, the floating element can only cover that word for one second.).
• Take shape of the object; not an exact rectangle.
• There is an eight second maximum play time for the floating element.
• The floating element can fly over, but cannot pause over, another ad, co-brand logo, or primary interaction elements as specified by the site (for example search boxes and primary navigation bars).
• Floating ads may be viewable by only certain browsers and operating systems. Yahoo! will test all technologies for floating ads in our lab. We will not show the ad for any browsers or operating systems when the technology could cause system instability or crashes.

Audio

• Audio must be initiated by User Click.
• Audio must end either simultaneously or before the ad finishes playing.
• Audio must be encoded at a maximum volume of -12 db.

In Banner Streaming

Video

• There are no frequency caps on the video portion of banners containing streaming video; the video can play every time the user sees the banner.
• True Streaming solution.
• The User Click can activate progressive download streaming.
• There is a 30 second maximum on video stream length. 15 seconds is recommended.

Audio

• Audio must be activated by user click.
• Audio must end either simultaneously or before the ad finishes playing.
• Audio must be encoded at a maximum volume of -12 db.
• Play, Stop/Pause, and Mute buttons are preferred; Stop/Mute and Start buttons are required.

Pre-roll Advertising

• Creatives are to be .FLV files.
• There is a 30 second maximum on video length. Recommended 15 second length.
• Files are to be hosted externally through an approved vendor. If external hosting is not possible, please contact Adcentral for alternatives
• The User Click must activate audio.
• Audio must end either simultaneously or before the ad finishes playing.
• Audio must be encoded at a maximum volume of -12 db.
• Play, Stop/Pause, and Mute buttons are preferred; Stop/Mute and Start buttons are required.

Cookie Setting

Cookie setting is not allowed on the network for any creative.

Certified Vendors – Third-Party Code

• The list of Yahoo Certified Third-Party Vendors can be found at - http://info.yahoo.com/privacy/us/yahoo/thirdparties/details.html
• Vendors that have not run with the site previously will require a 72 hour testing period to verify site compatibility.

Submission Guidelines:

• Ads must conform to specifications outlined herein. Elements not meeting specifications will be returned for revision, which may delay the launch date.
• Standard creative must be submitted 1 business day prior to campaign launch or campaign launch may be delayed. Rich media ads must be submitted 1 business day prior to launch to enable thorough testing.
• 3rd party tags must be live at the time of submission to enable thorough testing before launch
• For Flash ads, an alternate image conforming to the designated gif/jpg specifications must be provided for use in the event that the user's browser does not support Flash 6.0 and above

Advertisement Policy:

• Advertisements cannot mislead the user. For example, they may not mimic or resemble Windows/Mac/Unix dialogue boxes, error messages, or the like.
• Advertisements cannot resemble content. Advertisement must have a border.
• Advertisements cannot contain graphics that simulate interactivity (i.e., drop down menus, search boxes, etc.) without that functionality actually existing. NO fake or simulated HTML interactivity.
• Advertisements cannot mimic news headlines in design, tone, 3rd person sentence structure, or topic.
• Cookies may not be set on the Stephens Media network.
• We reserve the right to preserve the user experience of its sites, and reserves the right to remove any advertisement which is deemed annoying and/or harmful to our users at any time.
• The sponsor of any advertising message appearing on the U.S. Properties is clearly identified either on the ad itself or, if the ad is smaller than an 88x31 button, on the resulting first level jump page.