Requirements
To get started, ensure you have the following:
Access to the Indie Ads Manager platf orm
A standard, dynamic ad zone (not fixed size)
This template looks great at the end of posts, near the bottom of a homepage, or on a category archive page.
All partner content including recognition logos, images, destination URLs, etc.
Step-by-Step Guide
Log into Indie Ads Manager and navigate to the relevant Advertiser record (or create a new Advertiser)
Click Add Campaign and select Standard Campaign
Enter a name for your Campaign and adjust the targeting & scheduling levels
Click Create Campaign
In your newly created campaign, click Add Ad Item
From the Add Ad item window, select Native (Custom Rendering/API)
Give the ad a name (required)
Set the ad item's size to Dynamic then complete the remaining fields as needed
Select the Display: Article Slider template from the drop-down
To build your ad, you will need to populate the variables as outlined below. The template is divided into two parts: overall appearance settings and the content for each of the five individual slides
Repeat step 10 for each article
Click Save Ad Item
Template Variables
Part 1: Overall Ad Appearance & Branding
These settings control the main branding and color scheme for the entire ad unit.
Main Ad Title: The main title for the ad block. Appears in the header
Brand Logo: The image for a brand logo or icon. Appears in the header
Header Background: Set the background color for the top header bar. Use a standard color name (e.g. 'white') or a HEX code (e.g. #F5F5F5)
Main Title Font Color: Choose the text color for the Main Ad Title. Ensure it has good contrast with the Header Background color for readability. Use a standard color name or a HEX code
Article Headline Color: Select the single color for all slide headlines in the ad. Use a standard color name or a HEX code
Flare Color: Pick the background color for the small "flare" tag that can appear on each item. The color will be used for all flares
Part 2: Content Items (1 - 5)
Fill out the details for each of the five slides in the ad unit.
Headline: Write the main, clickable headline for this specific slide. Keep it engaging and concise to attract clicks
Subtitle: Add a short line of text below the headline. This could be used for a publication date, author name, or an excerpt
Image: Upload the main image for the slide. For best results, use a high-quality image with a 16:9 aspect ratio
Flare Text: Include a short, bold tag like "Exclusive" or "Trending" to make this item stand out
Click-Through URL: Enter the full destination URL where users will be taken when they click on a specific slide.
FAQ & Troubleshooting
Do I have to use all five slides? Yes. This slide requires you to use all five slides.
What are the best image dimensions? This template is optimized for images with a 16:9 aspect ratio (e.g. 1,200px by 675px) Using images with this ratio will ensure they fit perfectly without unexpected cropping or distortion.
Can I change the fonts? No, the fonts are in the native ad template's CSS. They are set to Arial, sans-serif.
How long should my headlines and subtitles be? For the best appearance across all devices, aim for headlines under 70 characters long. Subtitles can be a bit longer. Clear and concise copy is most effective.
My ad is not displaying: Remember that all slides need to be completed. If values are missed, it can result in the ad not rendering correctly.
Conclusion
You are now ready to build your native Article Slider. By replacing the variables in the template, you can create a dynamic and visually appealing ad unit to feature your content.