Fill Rate

Learn about fill rates in native advertising and why they matter for publishers and advertisers.

Glossary Fill Rate

What Is Fill Rate in Native Advertising?

Fill rate in native advertising is the percentage of available ad space that is successfully filled with ads. It’s a key performance metric for publishers in programmatic and native advertising.

Examples of Fill Rate Use in Native Advertising 

  • Inventory Optimization: Publishers monitor fill rates to ensure they’re maximizing ad revenue.
  • Campaign Management: Advertisers track fill rates to gauge ad demand and placement availability.
  • Ad Performance Insights: Low fill rates may indicate issues with targeting or ad demand.

How to Calculate Fill Rate in Native Advertising

To calculate Fill Rate, use the following formula:

Fill Rate=(Number of Ads Served​/Number of Ad Requests)×100

  • Ads Served: The total number of ads actually delivered to users.
  • Ad Requests: The total number of times an ad space was available and requested by a publisher for an ad to fill it.

Example Calculation of Fill Rate in Native Advertising

Suppose a native advertising publisher has:

  • 10,000 Ad Requests in a given period.
  • 8,500 Ads Served in response to these requests.

Using the formula above: 

In this case, the fill rate is 85%, meaning that 85% of available ad space was filled with ads, while the remaining 15% went unfilled.

Key Points about Fill Rate

  • High fill rates signify strong ad demand, maximizing revenue opportunities for publishers.
  • Helps publishers assess and optimize ad space utilization.
  • Low fill rates may require adjusting bid settings or improving ad relevancy.

Fill Rate Best Practices

  • Use multiple ad networks or SSPs to increase fill rate across platforms.
  • Optimize ad targeting and inventory management to maintain high fill rates.
  • Regularly review fill rates to identify and address performance gaps.

Considerations

  • High fill rates with low CPMs may reduce ad revenue; balance quality and quantity.
  • Fill rate data may vary based on platform, time, and ad category.
  • Low fill rates can signal low ad quality, poor targeting, or insufficient demand.

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