Native advertising has become an increasingly popular form of online advertising in recent years. In fact, according to a study by eMarketer, native advertising spending is projected to reach $25 billion by 2019. This is a significant increase from the $10.7 billion spent on native advertising in 2016. So, what exactly is native advertising, and why has it experienced such rapid growth?

Native advertising can be defined as a form of online advertising that matches the form and function of the platform on which it appears. In simpler terms, native ads seamlessly blend in with the content surrounding them, making them more engaging and less intrusive to users. This is in stark contrast to traditional banner ads, which are often seen as irritating and disruptive.

One example of native advertising can be seen on social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram. These platforms allow advertisers to promote their content in a way that appears similar to regular posts from friends and family. For instance, a clothing brand may post a photo of a celebrity wearing one of their products, with a subtle mention of where to purchase it. This type of native ad is often well-received by users, as it feels less like an advertisement and more like a recommendation from a trusted source.

Another example of native advertising can be found on news websites, where sponsored articles are published alongside regular news stories. These sponsored articles often provide valuable and informative content, while at the same time promoting a brand or product. This approach allows advertisers to reach a wider audience and establish themselves as industry experts.

The rise of ad-blocking software has also played a role in the growth of native advertising. According to a report by PageFair, the number of internet users using ad-blockers increased by 30% in 2016. This has led advertisers and publishers to look for alternative ways to reach their target audience. Native advertising offers a solution by delivering content that is relevant and interesting to users, making them less likely to block it.

In conclusion, native advertising has become an essential tool for advertisers and publishers alike. Its ability to seamlessly integrate with the content surrounding it makes it more engaging and less intrusive to users. With its projected growth in the coming years, it’s clear that native advertising is here to stay. As advertisers and publishers continue to find innovative ways to deliver native ads, we can expect to see even more creative examples in the future.

What are some examples of Native Advertising in 2016?

Native advertising has become a popular and effective form of online advertising in recent years. It seamlessly integrates promotional content into a user’s online experience, making it less disruptive and more engaging. In 2016, we witnessed some remarkable native advertising campaigns that captivated audiences and delivered impressive results. In this article, we will explore the top native advertising examples from 2016 and discuss how they successfully captured the attention of users and drove conversions. So, let’s dive in and discover the power of native advertising in the digital marketing landscape.

Native Advertising Examples 2016

Native advertising has become an increasingly popular form of online advertising in recent years. It involves creating ad content that seamlessly blends in with the natural layout and design of a website or platform, making it look like native content rather than traditional advertising. This approach has proven to be more effective in capturing the attention of users and driving engagement. In this article, we will dive into some of the most successful native advertising examples from 2016.

1. Buzzfeed and GE

One standout example of native advertising in 2016 was the collaboration between Buzzfeed and General Electric (GE). GE created a series of sponsored articles and videos that showcased their innovative technologies and initiatives. These pieces were seamlessly integrated into Buzzfeed’s content, ensuring they resonated with the platform’s audience. The campaign was a huge success, reaching millions of users and generating a significant increase in brand awareness for GE.

2. The New York Times and Netflix

The New York Times partnered with Netflix to create a native advertising campaign promoting the second season of the popular series “Narcos.” The campaign involved the creation of an interactive timeline that detailed the rise and fall of the notorious drug lord, Pablo Escobar. This piece of content provided valuable information while also generating buzz and anticipation for the show’s new season. The native ad seamlessly blended with The New York Times’ journalistic style, making it engaging and informative for readers.

3. Forbes and Mercedes-Benz

In 2016, Forbes collaborated with Mercedes-Benz to produce a native advertising campaign that highlighted the luxury car brand’s commitment to innovation and sustainability. The campaign included a series of articles and videos that showcased the latest technologies and environmentally-friendly initiatives from Mercedes-Benz. Forbes’ audience, known for their interest in business and entrepreneurship, found value in this content, and the native ads generated significant engagement and positive brand sentiment.

4. The Guardian and Mini

The Guardian partnered with Mini to create a native advertising campaign that appealed to their environmentally-conscious audience. The campaign, called “The Extra Mile,” focused on sustainable travel and featured stories of individuals and communities that were making a positive impact on the environment. The native ads were integrated within The Guardian’s travel section, providing readers with inspiring and informative content that aligned with their interests and values.

5. Mashable and Target

Mashable collaborated with Target to create a native advertising campaign centered around the back-to-school season. The campaign included a series of articles and videos that provided tips and advice for students and parents preparing for the new school year. The native ads seamlessly blended with Mashable’s editorial content, providing valuable information while also promoting Target’s products. The campaign was well-received by Mashable’s audience and successfully increased brand awareness and engagement for Target.

6. Huffington Post and IBM

The Huffington Post partnered with IBM to create a native advertising campaign that focused on the future of technology and innovation. The campaign, titled “Power to Disrupt,” included a series of articles and videos that explored emerging technologies and their potential impact on various industries. The native ads seamlessly integrated within The Huffington Post’s tech section, providing readers with thought-provoking and engaging content. The campaign successfully positioned IBM as a leader in technological advancements and generated significant interest and conversations among readers.

Statistic: Native Advertising Effectiveness

A study conducted by IPG Media Lab and Sharethrough found that consumers looked at native ads 53% more frequently than display ads and had a 32% higher purchase intent for products featured in native ads. In addition, native ads were found to generate an 18% increase in lift in purchase intent compared to banner ads. These statistics highlight the effectiveness of native advertising in capturing audience attention and driving engagement.

Key Takeaways for Native Advertising Examples 2016

Native advertising has become a popular and effective way for brands to connect with audiences in a non-disruptive manner. In this article, we will explore some notable native advertising examples from 2016 that showcase innovative and successful campaigns. By understanding these examples, advertisers and publishers can gain insights on how to create compelling native ad experiences that resonate with users.

1. Native ads seamlessly blend into the user experience

One of the defining characteristics of native advertising is its ability to seamlessly blend into the user experience of the platform it is displayed on. These examples demonstrate how brands have effectively integrated their messages within the content, resulting in a more engaging and less intrusive ad experience.

2. Contextual relevance is key

Successful native ad campaigns leverage the power of context. By aligning the ad content with the surrounding editorial content, brands can ensure their messages are relevant and resonate with the target audience. The examples discussed in this article highlight the importance of contextual relevance in native advertising.

3. Storytelling as a powerful tool

Native ads provide a unique opportunity for brands to tell compelling stories that captivate their audience. Through effective storytelling techniques, brands can create emotional connections with users and drive deeper engagement. The examples showcased in this article demonstrate how storytelling can be leveraged to create memorable native ad experiences.

4. Video native ads are on the rise

In 2016, video native ads gained significant momentum. Brands recognized the power of incorporating videos into their native ad campaigns to capture the attention of users. This article presents some noteworthy examples of video native ads that successfully engaged audiences and delivered impactful brand messages.

5. Native ads on social media platforms

Social media platforms have become a popular channel for native advertising. Brands actively leveraged platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to reach their target audience with native ad content. The examples discussed in this article shed light on successful native ad campaigns on social media.

6. Mobile optimization is crucial

With the increasing dominance of mobile devices, optimizing native ads for mobile screens is crucial for success. The examples presented in this article showcase how brands effectively utilized mobile optimization techniques to deliver seamless and engaging native ad experiences on smaller screens.

7. Interactive native ads drive higher engagement

Interactive native ads have proven to be highly effective in driving user engagement. By incorporating interactive elements such as quizzes, polls, or games, brands can create more immersive and interactive ad experiences. This article highlights some notable examples of interactive native ads that successfully captured users’ attention.

8. Native advertising in print media

While native advertising is commonly associated with digital platforms, it also found its way into print media in 2016. This article explores some creative examples of native ads in print publications, demonstrating how brands adapt the concept for traditional advertising channels.

9. Influencer collaborations for native ads

Influencer collaborations became a popular approach for native advertising campaigns in 2016. Brands partnered with influencers to promote their products or services through native ads, leveraging the trust and influence of these individuals. The examples discussed in this article shed light on successful influencer collaborations in native advertising.

10. Personalization and targeting for native ads

Personalization and targeting play a crucial role in successful native ad campaigns. Brands focused on creating tailored native ad experiences for specific audience segments in 2016. By leveraging user data and targeting techniques, brands were able to deliver more relevant and personalized native ad content. The examples presented in this article highlight the effectiveness of personalization and targeting strategies in native advertising.

11. Transparency and disclosure in native ads

Transparency and disclosure are essential elements of ethical native advertising. Brands need to ensure that their native ads are clearly labeled and distinguishable from editorial content to maintain trust with users. This article emphasizes the importance of transparency and disclosure in native ads and provides examples of compliant campaigns.

12. Native ads as a revenue source for publishers

Native advertising offers a revenue opportunity for publishers, who can monetize their content by incorporating native ads. This article explores examples of native ad placements that effectively generate revenue for publishers while maintaining a positive user experience.

13. Native ads in niche markets

Niche markets present unique opportunities for native advertising. Brands can connect with highly targeted audiences in specific industries or interest areas through native ads tailored to their preferences. The examples discussed in this article illustrate successful native ad campaigns in niche markets.

14. Localization and cultural relevance in native ads

Localization and cultural relevance are key considerations in native advertising. Brands need to tailor their messages to local markets and respect cultural nuances to ensure their native ads resonate with the target audience. This article showcases examples of native ads that successfully incorporated localization and cultural relevance.

15. Innovation and experimentation in native advertising

Native advertising is a constantly evolving field, and innovation and experimentation are crucial for brands to stand out. The examples presented in this article demonstrate how brands pushed the boundaries of native advertising in 2016, experimenting with new formats, technologies, and approaches to captivate audiences.

FAQs for Native Advertising Examples 2016

1. What is native advertising?

Native advertising is a form of paid media where the ad seamlessly blends in with the surrounding content. It is designed to match the look, feel, and function of the platform on which it appears.

2. How does native advertising differ from traditional advertising?

Unlike traditional advertising, native ads are less disruptive and provide a more seamless user experience as they integrate naturally into the platform. Native ads aim to deliver valuable and relevant content to the target audience while still promoting a product or service.

3. Can you provide some examples of native advertising?

Sure! Some popular examples of native advertising include sponsored articles or blog posts, promoted social media posts, recommended content widgets, and in-feed ads that appear within social media platforms like Facebook or Twitter.

4. Why should I consider using native advertising for my online advertising campaigns?

Native advertising offers several benefits. It helps to increase engagement and click-through rates, as users are more likely to interact with content that seamlessly blends in with what they are already consuming. It also allows for more targeted and personalized messaging, leading to higher conversion rates.

5. How do I create effective native ads?

Creating effective native ads requires understanding your target audience, choosing the right platform, and crafting compelling and authentic content that aligns with the platform and the context in which it appears. It’s essential to focus on providing value to the users while subtly promoting your brand or product.

6. Are native ads clearly labeled as advertisements?

Yes, to maintain transparency and comply with advertising guidelines, native ads should be clearly labeled as sponsored or promoted content. This labeling helps users differentiate between editorial content and paid advertising.

7. How can I measure the success of my native advertising campaigns?

Measuring the success of native advertising campaigns involves tracking metrics such as click-through rates, engagement rates, conversion rates, and return on investment. By analyzing these metrics, you can assess the effectiveness of your campaigns and make informed decisions for future optimizations.

8. What are some key considerations I should keep in mind when using native advertising?

Some key considerations include selecting the right platform for your target audience, ensuring your ads align with the platform’s guidelines and terms of service, monitoring performance metrics regularly, and continuously optimizing your campaigns based on the insights gained.

9. Do native ads work better on particular platforms?

Native ads can work well on various platforms, including social media platforms, news websites, and content discovery networks. The effectiveness of native ads can vary based on the target audience, the industry, and the specific platform’s format and design.

10. Can native ads be used for brand awareness campaigns?

Absolutely! Native ads can be a powerful tool for brand awareness campaigns. By creating attention-grabbing and engaging content that aligns with the platform and the target audience’s interests, native advertising can significantly increase brand visibility and recognition.

11. Are native ads suitable for small businesses with limited budgets?

Yes, native advertising can be a cost-effective option for small businesses with limited budgets. It allows you to reach a highly targeted audience and achieve impressive results without investing a large amount of money in traditional advertising channels.

12. How do I choose the right native advertising platform for my business?

Choosing the right native advertising platform involves considering factors such as your target audience demographics, the platform’s reach, user engagement, and ad formats available. It can be beneficial to test multiple platforms and analyze their performance before deciding on the best fit.

13. Can native ads help in driving organic traffic to my website?

Yes, native ads can help drive organic traffic to your website. By providing valuable content that appeals to the target audience’s interests, and including relevant call-to-actions within the ad, you can entice users to visit your website and explore further.

14. Are there any ethical concerns associated with native advertising?

When implementing native advertising, it is important to be transparent and avoid deceiving or misleading users. Clearly labeling native ads as sponsored or promoted content is essential to maintain ethical standards and ensure trust between advertisers and users.

15. How can I get started with native advertising?

To get started with native advertising, identify your campaign objectives, research and choose the appropriate platforms, create compelling ad content, and set a budget. You can then launch your campaigns, monitor their performance, and make necessary optimizations to maximize your advertising ROI.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Native Advertising Examples of 2016 showcased the growing prominence and effectiveness of this advertising strategy in the online advertising industry. These examples demonstrated that well-executed native ads have the potential to seamlessly blend into a user’s browsing experience while still being able to deliver targeted messaging and drive engagement.

One key trend that emerged from the examples was the use of storytelling in native ads. Many brands utilized narrative techniques to create compelling and immersive content that resonated with their target audience. This approach allowed advertisers to connect with users on an emotional level, making the ads more memorable and impactful. For example, the native ad campaign by clothing brand Patagonia told the story of a group of athletes who embarked on an extraordinary adventure, showcasing the brand’s commitment to outdoor exploration and environmental sustainability. By blending storytelling with native advertising, Patagonia was able to capture the attention of their target audience and effectively communicate their brand values.

Another important aspect of the Native Advertising Examples in 2016 was the integration of native ads into social media platforms. With the rise of social media usage, brands have recognized the potential of native ads to reach and engage with a large audience. Platforms like Instagram and Facebook have introduced native ad formats that seamlessly fit into a user’s feed, providing a non-intrusive and more immersive advertising experience. One notable example was Airbnb’s sponsored content on Instagram, where they collaborated with popular travel influencers to showcase unique stays and experiences. By leveraging the influence of these influencers, Airbnb was able to generate authentic and engaging content that resonated with their target audience, driving brand awareness and consideration.

Furthermore, the Native Advertising Examples of 2016 highlighted the importance of relevance and context in native advertising. Advertisers focused on delivering ads that were relevant to the user’s interests and integrated seamlessly with the content they were consuming. This approach helped to enhance user experience and increase engagement. For instance, Buzzfeed’s native ad campaign for Purina featured a series of articles and quizzes on pet care and nutrition, seamlessly blending with Buzzfeed’s existing content while providing value to the target audience. By ensuring that the native ads were contextually relevant and valuable, brands were able to establish trust and credibility with users.

It is clear from these examples that native advertising has become an essential component of modern-day online advertising. By incorporating storytelling, leveraging social media platforms, and prioritizing relevance and context, brands were able to create impactful and memorable native ads that effectively captured the attention of their target audience. As an online advertising service or advertising network, it is crucial to recognize the power of native advertising and explore ways to incorporate this strategy into your offerings. By doing so, you can help your advertisers achieve their marketing goals while also enhancing the user experience for your audience.