How Ad Delivery Works (Complete End-to-End Workflow)

Understanding how AdFuz delivers ads is essential to running efficient, high-converting ad inventory. AdFuz uses a flexible 3-Tier Architecture that separates your creatives, delivery schedules, and placement zones.

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The Core 3-Tier Architecture

Before creating your first ad, it helps to understand how the components connect together:

┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│  STEP 1: AD CREATIVES (Image / Video / Script)         │
│  The visual content, banner graphic, or ad code tag.   │
└───────────────────────────┬────────────────────────────┘
                            │ (assigned to)
                            ▼
┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│  STEP 2: CAMPAIGNS (Scheduling & Rotation Logic)       │
│  Controls flight dates, priority weights, & rotation. │
└───────────────────────────┬────────────────────────────┘
                            │ (linked to)
                            ▼
┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│  STEP 3: AD SPACES (Physical or Virtual Placements)    │
│  The container slot on your site with size & type.     │
└───────────────────────────┬────────────────────────────┘
                            │ (displayed via)
                            ▼
┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│  STEP 4: FRONTEND DISPLAY                              │
│  • Standard: Shortcode, Gutenberg Block, PHP Hook      │
│  • Global: Automatic Injection via Global Ads Engine   │
└────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

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Step 1: Create Your Ad Creatives

Navigate to WordPress Admin > AdFuz > Ads and click + Add New Ad.

AdFuz supports three primary creative formats:

1. Image Banner

• Visual Banners: Upload JPG, PNG, WebP, or animated GIF banners.
• Target URL: Enter the destination URL where visitors should land upon clicking.
• Attributes: Set image Alt Text, title, and configure whether the link opens in a new tab (target="_blank").

2. Video Ad

• Self-Hosted: Upload .mp4 or .webm video files.
• Third-Party Video: Embed direct streams or URLs from YouTube or Vimeo.
• Controls: Configure autoplay, mute by default, video loop, and click-through destination buttons.

3. Script / HTML Ad

• Ad Networks: Paste JavaScript/HTML tags from Google AdSense, Mediavine, Amazon Publisher Services, or affiliate networks.
• Custom Snippets: Insert custom interactive HTML5 widgets or rich-media dynamic ad scripts.

Creative Status

Ensure you set the ad status to Active so it is eligible to participate in rotations and campaign schedules.

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Step 2: Create a Campaign & Assign Ads

Navigate to WordPress Admin > AdFuz > Campaigns and click + Add New Campaign.

A Campaign acts as the logic and scheduling engine for your ads:

1. Name Your Campaign: Enter a clear descriptive title (e.g. Black Friday Sale 300x250 or Sponsor Header Q4).
2. Set Flight Duration (Optional): Define specific Start and End dates for time-sensitive promotions, or leave open-ended for perpetual delivery.
3. Assign One or More Ads: Select the creatives you created in Step 1.
4. Set Ad Rotation & Priority: If multiple ads are assigned to the campaign, AdFuz will dynamically rotate them based on your priority weights or rotation strategy.
5. Fallback Creative: Assign a fallback creative to ensure a default ad is always rendered if primary creatives expire.

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Step 3: Create an Ad Space & Link Campaigns

Navigate to WordPress Admin > AdFuz > Ad Spaces and click + Add New Ad Space.

An Ad Space defines the slot, dimensions, and delivery type on your website:

1. Configure Dimensions & Type

• Ad Space Name: Name your zone (e.g., Homepage Leaderboard, Sidebar Top, Exit Popup Space).
• Dimensions: Choose standard industry dimensions (e.g., 728x90, 300x250, 300x600, 970x250) or set custom pixel dimensions.
• Ad Space Type:
  • Standard — Used for in-content, widget, header, or footer placements via Shortcode or Block.
  • Global — Important: Must be selected if you intend to use this Ad Space with Global Ads (Popups, Interstitials, Edge Bars, etc.).

2. Link Campaigns to the Ad Space

• Attach one or more active Campaigns created in Step 2.
• Select the campaign rotation mode (e.g., Random, Sequential, or Weighted Priority).

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Step 4: Display the Ads on Your Website

Once your Ads, Campaign, and Ad Space are linked, choose how you want the ad to render on your frontend:

Method A: Standard In-Page Placements

For standard in-page slots (headers, sidebars, blog posts, footers):

Gutenberg Block

1. Open any post or page in the WordPress Block Editor.
2. Click + and search for the AdFuz Ad Space block.
3. Select your desired Ad Space from the dropdown inspector panel.
4. Publish or update the page.

Shortcode

Copy the generated shortcode from your Ad Spaces list and paste it into any post, page, widget, or page builder (Elementor, Divi, Beaver Builder):

[ad-fuz ad_space_id="17"]

PHP Template Hook

Insert the PHP helper directly into your child theme templates (header.php, single.php, footer.php, etc.):

<?php
if ( function_exists( 'adfuz_adspace' ) ) {
    adfuz_adspace( 17 );
}
?>

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Method B: Global Ads (Automatic Site-Wide Injection)

Global Ads do not require manual shortcodes or block placement. They are automatically injected site-wide according to your trigger rules.

Important Requirement

To use an Ad Space inside Global Ads, its Type must be set to Global when creating or editing the Ad Space in Step 3.

1. Navigate to Global Ads: Go to WordPress Admin > AdFuz > Global Ads.
2. Choose the Global Format: Select from the available overlay & display types:
   • 🖼️ Popup Modal: Centered lightbox overlay with backdrop dimming.
   • 📌 Edge Bar: Sticky top or bottom floating notification banner.
   • ⏳ Countdown Bar: Scarcity bar with dynamic countdown timer.
   • 🚪 Exit Popup: Triggers automatically when user cursor indicates exit intent.
   • 📜 Scroll Trigger: Appears after visitor scrolls past a defined percentage of the page.
   • 🎭 Interstitial: Full-screen splash transition during page navigation.
   • 🎨 Background Takeover: Clickable skin/wallpaper framing your main site content.
   • 📐 Corner Peel: Engaging fold effect in the top-right or top-left corner.
3. Create the Rule & Assign Ad Space:
   • Create a new rule for that format.
   • Select your Global-type Ad Space in the rule configuration.
4. Configure Trigger & Frequency Settings:
   • Timing: Instant display or delayed by X seconds.
   • Frequency Capping: Limit impressions to once per session, once every 24 hours, or unlimited.
   • Targeting: Apply device (Mobile / Desktop) or Geo-targeting rules.
5. Activate the Rule: Save and toggle status to Active. The global ad will immediately begin serving automatically across your website without modifying any template files or pages!

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Quick Reference Summary

Stage	What You Configure	Where in WP Admin	Key Output
1. Ad Creative	Banner image, Video, or AdSense/HTML script tag	AdFuz > Ads	Standalone creative asset
2. Campaign	Schedule dates, ad rotation weights, fallback ad	AdFuz > Campaigns	Scheduled flight rule grouping
3. Ad Space	Width × Height, rotation mode, Type (Standard vs Global)	AdFuz > Ad Spaces	Placement ID & shortcode
4. Standard Display	Insert shortcode, Gutenberg block, or PHP function	Post / Page / Theme	In-content rendered ad
5. Global Display	Assign Global Ad Space to popup, edge bar, or trigger rule	AdFuz > Global Ads	Automatic site-wide overlays

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Next Steps

Explore Ad Creatives

Learn about image, video, and script ad specifications. View Ads Guide →

Campaign Scheduling

Set up date ranges, rotation priorities, and weights. View Campaigns Guide →

Ad Space Placements

Configure dimensions, responsive sizing, and shortcodes. View Ad Spaces Guide →

Global Ads Mastery

Configure popups, interstitials, edge bars, and exit intent. View Global Ads Guide →