Native Ads: Key Highlights
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Create experiences that invite exploration: Immersive storytelling and interactivity hold attention longer and make your brand more memorable.
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Intent drives performance: Google’s contextual ads show up during high-intent searches, turning interest into clicks without disrupting the user journey.
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Relevance wins attention: When ads reflect the surrounding content, they blend into the experience and gain credibility with the audience.
Customers have never been harder to impress, but they’ve also never been more open to the right message in the right place.
In 2024, 63% of global ad budgets went to digital channels, with native advertising seeing a 46% surge as brands discovered their power to build authentic engagement.
The best campaigns feel less like interruptions and more like experiences people remember long after the scroll.
In this post, we’ll share 18 native ads examples that show how smart brands are turning attention into real impact this year.
18 Best Native Ads Examples To Maximize Engagement
With 912 million people worldwide using ad blockers, disruptive ads are easier than ever to ignore, so relevance and subtlety have become the real currency of attention.
Brands are turning to native ads networks to craft experiences that feel seamless, spark curiosity and build trust while reaching audiences traditional formats can’t.
Below, you’ll find native advertising examples that show how companies are turning these digital marketing strategies into measurable engagement.
1. Forbes & Lululemon
Forbes integrates sponsored recommendations so seamlessly that they feel like part of the editorial experience.
In this native advertising example, Lululemon promotes its summer collection in the “Forbes Vetted” section, appearing alongside high-interest articles without disrupting the reader’s flow.
The placement works because it aligns with readers already seeking curated, expert-backed recommendations, turning the content into something they welcome rather than avoid.
This strategy positions Lululemon where attention is already engaged, allowing the brand to build credibility, increase awareness and drive meaningful interaction with a high-intent audience.
Actionable Insight
Show up where people are already looking for recommendations. If your ad feels like useful advice instead of a pop-up, people are more likely to pay attention.
2. The Washington Post & Van Cleef & Arpels
Native and display formats can complement each other when the creative matches the context where it appears.
Van Cleef & Arpels integrates its Frivole collection ad into The Washington Post’s lifestyle section, where readers are already engaging with fashion and culture stories.
The design feels elegant and intentional, complementing the page rather than interrupting it, which draws attention without breaking the flow of the experience.
This native display ads example demonstrates how a luxury brand can maintain its identity while using context and timing to build awareness with an audience that values subtlety and relevance.
Actionable Insight
Make your ad match its surroundings. If it looks and feels like it belongs, readers will welcome it instead of skipping past it.
3. Google & Sponsored Contextual Ads
Google’s sponsored contextual ads appear in the “All” tab, right alongside organic results, positioning products at a pivotal point in the user journey.
In this example, a search for “gym bag” surfaces paid listings from brands like Audi and Jiffy, capturing attention before users even click over to Google Shopping.
This timing meets intent at its peak, turning a simple query into measurable performance by driving qualified traffic and delivering higher-quality conversions without disrupting the natural flow of search.
Actionable Insight
Catch people when they’re searching. If someone’s already typing in what you sell, that’s the perfect time to appear.
4. Netflix & The Wall Street Journal
With 40% of U.S. consumers expressing frustration with online ads, Netflix turned to implicit native advertising to promote Narcos.
In partnership with The Wall Street Journal, they launched Cocainenomics, an interactive feature that explored the rise of the Medellín cartel and the global drug trade with the depth and authority of investigative journalism.
The experience combined maps, timelines and in-depth research with embedded video clips from the Netflix series, creating a direct and natural link between the content and the show.
This collaboration showed how implicit native ads can drive engagement and conversions by offering credible, high-value storytelling that audiences actively choose to explore.
Actionable Insight
Tell a story people want to dive into. If the content is genuinely interesting, they’ll stick around and remember your brand.
5. Adobe & LinkedIn
Adobe uses LinkedIn, one of the most popular native ads platforms, to place its message directly within the feed as professionals scroll for industry insights.
This in-content placement uses a concise, well-produced video to highlight how data-driven approaches can shape better customer experiences, appearing as a natural part of the feed.
The format draws attention without breaking the browsing flow, encouraging meaningful interaction while maintaining a smooth experience.
Actionable Insight
Keep it short and useful. A quick tip or video in someone’s feed is easier to engage with than a long sales pitch.
6. The Onion & Sponsored Native Content
With online advertising revenue in the U.S. reaching $258.6 billion in 2024, brands are directing more resources toward formats that foster meaningful audience connections.
The Onion’s “Sponsored Content” section illustrates this approach, presenting branded stories in the same satirical style as its regular headlines and naturally exposing readers to messaging they are more inclined to engage with.
This strategy lets brands share their message in a way that aligns with audience expecttations, keeping the content entertaining while building familiarity and trust.
Actionable Insight
Speak the same language as your audience. If they come for humor, make sure your ad keeps the joke going.
7. True Classic & Facebook
With social media driving 50% of all digital advertising spend, Facebook has become a leading platform for programmatic native ads that connect creative strategy with measurable outcomes.
True Classic demonstrates this with a Facebook native ad designed as a playful text conversation, using humor to capture attention while subtly presenting its offer.
The conversational style blends into the feed so it’s easy for users to engage while keeping the interaction casual and relatable.
For marketers, it’s a reminder that well-timed, context-aware advertising can increase click-through rates and deliver conversions without inflating acquisition costs.
Actionable Insight
Be conversational. Ads that feel like a casual chat get people smiling and clicking more than a polished slogan.
8. Orbit & Dropout
With 78% of consumers preferring to learn about products through short videos, Orbit (or Extra in the U.K. and Freedent in Europe) used native video to meet audiences where entertainment and attention overlap.
Ahead of Valentine’s Day, the brand partnered with Dropout (formerly CollegeHumor) to release Dating Footnotes, a humorous piece designed to fit the platform’s voice and audience.
The collaboration gave Orbit access to a community accustomed to shareable, comedic content while keeping the branding subtle enough to feel organic.
Actionable Insight
Lean into entertainment. If your ad makes people laugh or share, they’ll remember the brand without feeling like they’re being sold to.
9. Mercedes & The Washington Post
Among standout native ads examples, Mercedes partnered with The Washington Post on The Rise of the Superhuman, an interactive feature linking advanced technologies to the brand’s Intelligent Drive system.
The experience highlighted breakthroughs like robotic exoskeletons and virtual reality in healthcare, placing Mercedes within the broader conversation about innovation shaping human performance.
Clickable hot spots and quiz elements encouraged deeper exploration, turning passive viewers into active participants.
Actionable Insight
Give people something to do, not just something to read. Interactive ads stick in their memory far longer than static banners.
10. SpaceNews & Sponsor Content
SpaceNews provides a platform where aerospace and satellite companies can share in-depth stories with a highly targeted audience through sponsored content.
Brands like Space Inventor, Burloak Technologies and SITAEL have used this format to announce satellite launches, innovations in manufacturing and industry events, ensuring their news reaches professionals and stakeholders who shape the sector.
The articles maintain the editorial tone and credibility readers expect, giving each piece the authority of trusted journalism while clearly identifying it as sponsored.
Actionable Insight
Go where your niche hangs out. Talking to the right crowd in the right place builds more trust than shouting to everyone.
11. Snapchat & Event Campaigns
Among the most effective uses of native ads networks, Snapchat’s event-based campaigns show how brands can build relevance and visibility in real time.
Major organizations like the NFL, NBA and NHL have used custom filters and lenses during high-profile events, creating interactive content that audiences share organically.
These placements are intentionally time-limited, which increases their appeal and drives rapid adoption while the event is top of mind.
This approach demonstrates how combining platform-specific creative with precise timing can amplify brand awareness and engagement in ways that standard formats rarely achieve.
Actionable Insight
Tie your ads to big moments. People love sharing during live events and your brand can ride that wave of excitement.
12. CA Technologies & The New York Times
The collaboration between CA Technologies and The New York Times delivered a scrollable, interactive infographic titled APIs: The Building Blocks of the App Economy.
This native ad presented a clear, engaging narrative showing how APIs power everything from financial transactions to music streaming, helping readers understand their growing role in the digital economy.
By providing valuable context while subtly reinforcing its expertise, CA Technologies positioned itself as a forward-thinking innovator in its sector.
Actionable Insight
Make the complex simple. If your ad explains something in a way people can easily get, you’ll look like the expert.
13. Ecuador Tourism & National Geographic
Ecuador Tourism partnered with National Geographic on a paid feature that explored the country’s rich culinary heritage, from traditional dishes to unique regional ingredients.
Published through one of the best native ads networks, the article matched the publication’s editorial tone, clearly labeled as paid content yet written in the same trusted voice readers expect.
Instead of pushing discounts or travel packages, the story offered authentic value, sparking curiosity and interest organically.
Actionable Insight
Focus on the experience, not the sale. Sharing authentic stories sparks curiosity and makes people want to learn more.
14. Altran Engineering & Financial Times
Altran partnered with the Financial Times to produce a native video feature titled Hyperloop: Designing the Future of Transport.
The story followed engineering students from the Technical University of Valencia competing in the SpaceX Hyperloop Pod Competition, supported by Altran’s experts.
The narrative blended innovation, ambition and human effort, showing how collaboration drives breakthroughs in high-speed transportation.
With state-of-the-art production and a journalistic tone, the piece positioned Altran as a forward-thinking partner in technological progress while giving viewers a story they wanted to watch and share.
Actionable Insight
Put people at the heart of innovation. When your ad shows real effort and ambition, it feels more inspiring and less like a promotion.
15. Salesforce & The Atlantic
Salesforce.org partnered with The Atlantic’s Re:Think studio to produce a five-minute video feature titled Powering Tomorrow’s Leaders.
The story explored the legacy of Philadelphia’s Wissahickon Boys & Girls Club, the first in the country to serve black children and highlighted how Salesforce technology helps the club manage operations more efficiently, giving staff more time to focus on the youth they support.
The piece felt more like an authentic story than a promotion, providing value to viewers while positioning Salesforce as a brand that drives meaningful change.
Actionable Insight
Highlight real impact. If your ad shows how you make a difference in people’s lives, it builds stronger emotional connections.
16. Amazon & Instagram
Amazon Fashion uses native mobile ads on Instagram to highlight curated collections and trending looks, presented in a way that feels natural to the platform.
The post looks like standard content in a user’s feed, with only a subtle “sponsored” label signaling it as an ad, which makes the experience feel organic rather than disruptive.
By pairing clean visuals with concise, clear copy, the ad encourages interaction and builds a direct path from inspiration to purchase.
Actionable Insight
Blend in naturally. Clean images and simple text feel like regular posts, so people stop, scroll and shop without resistance.
17.eBay & Promoted Listings
On eBay, promoted listings give sellers a way to secure prime placement in search results, increasing visibility when shoppers are actively searching for products.
In the example shown, phone case listings marked as “Sponsored” appear at the very top of the results, ahead of standard listings.
This approach reflects how online shopping behavior favors convenience and immediate visibility, which is why promoted placements have become a key strategy in eCommerce for driving engagement and conversions.
Actionable Insight
Be there when people are ready to buy. Showing up at the top of search results makes it easy for shoppers to choose you first.
18 Taboola & Outbrain Recommendation Widgets
Recommendation widgets appear below or beside articles under headers like Recommended for You or You Might Like.”
They’re designed to blend in with editorial links, giving advertisers access to readers who are already engaged and curious.
Outbrain shows how its placements look on publishers like The Washington Post in its official documentation, while Taboola highlights partnerships with USA Today, NBC, Business Insider, Bloomberg and other top-tier publishers, making these widgets a familiar part of the online reading experience.
The advantage of these networks is scale: one campaign can distribute your content across thousands of sites.
But scale only works if the creative feels natural. Headlines that mimic clickbait might earn quick clicks but risk high bounce rates and low trust.
Content framed as genuinely helpful, like 5 Post-Workout Snacks That Boost Recovery, is more likely to deliver engagement and conversions.
Actionable Insight
Use recommendation networks to extend discovery at scale, but invest in high-quality content and headlines that feel like real stories. The more your ad resembles a natural continuation of the reading journey, the more likely users are to click and stay.
The Core Native Ad Formats Marketers Should Know
With the U.S. leading the global ad market at $455.9 billion in 2025, brands are expected to invest in formats that align with how audiences consume content.
Choosing the right native ad format ensures campaigns feel natural, capture attention and support goals at every stage of the customer journey.
1. Editorial And Branded Content
Articles, sponsored features and branded stories published on platforms like The New York Times or National Geographic build trust by matching the publisher’s voice.
These pieces educate or inform while subtly positioning the brand, often leading to stronger engagement and long-term awareness.
High-quality storytelling in respected outlets can also reinforce authority and credibility for complex or B2B-focused industries.
2. Video And In-App Experiences
Native video ads on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram and in-app feeds combine storytelling with high engagement.
Short, visually compelling videos blend into the content users already enjoy, encouraging shares and repeat views.
In-app videos and in-game rewarded placements also create immersive experiences that keep attention while driving measurable interaction.
3. Social And Feed-Based Placements
Social ads and in-feed content mirror the look and feel of organic posts, so they’re easy for audiences to engage with on social media platforms like LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.
These formats work well for both awareness and conversion campaigns, particularly when paired with precise audience targeting.
Carousel posts, images or short videos allow brands to meet users in a way that feels natural and contextually relevant.
4. eCommerce Product Placements
Promoted listings and in-feed product ads on eCommerce sites like Amazon or eBay integrate products directly into search results or category pages.
These placements deliver visibility during high-intent searches and often drive faster conversions.
For eCommerce businesses, this format consistently drives clicks and conversions by aligning with how people naturally shop online.
5. Discovery And Recommendation Widgets
Taboola and Outbrain use recommendation widgets labeled “Recommended for You” or “You Might Like” appear on editorial sites and apps, directing steady traffic to product pages or branded content.
With 88% of professionals reporting that personalization directly influences sales, these placements become even more effective when tailored to user behavior and preferences.
By aligning with the platform’s design, they feel like a natural part of the browsing experience while quietly extending a campaign’s reach and guiding users toward deeper engagement.
6. Search-Aligned Ads
Native search ads and paid search placements on Google connect brands with users actively seeking related solutions.
These formats mimic the style of organic search results but occupy premium real estate on the page.
They’re especially effective for high-intent campaigns where visibility and timing directly influence conversions.
7. Location-Based Opportunities
In-map ads on platforms like Google Maps or Apple Maps can show relevant business results to users when they’re searching nearby.
Including reviews, working hours and directions makes these ads immediately useful and trustworthy.
This format is particularly valuable for driving store visits and local conversions for service-based or retail businesses.
Here’s a brief overview of the main native ads formats and their advantages:
| Format | Description | Key Advantage |
| Editorial and Branded Content | Sponsored articles or stories on platforms like The New York Times or National Geographic | Builds trust and strengthens brand authority |
| Video and In-App Experiences | Short videos on YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, or in apps and games | High engagement and shareability |
| Social and Feed-Based Placements | Posts styled like organic content on LinkedIn, Instagram, or TikTok | Boosts awareness and conversions naturally |
| eCommerce Product Placements | Promoted listings on platforms like Amazon or eBay | Drives clicks and fast conversions |
| Discovery and Recommendation Widgets | “Recommended for You” modules on editorial sites and apps | Extends reach and supports personalization |
| Search-Aligned Ads | Paid placements in Google search results | Captures high-intent traffic efficiently |
| Location-Based Opportunities | Ads in Google Maps or Apple Maps | Drives foot traffic and builds trust locally |
Benefits Of Using Native Advertising
Native advertising delivers value when it’s integrated with audience behavior and platform context. When executed properly, it offers the following benefits:
- Improved user experience: Native formats fit naturally into the platforms people already use, allowing ads to inform or inspire without interrupting the flow.
- Higher engagement: Ads designed to match the tone and style of their environment hold attention longer and generate more interaction, leading to better retention and recall.
- Stronger credibility: Partnering with reputable platforms or publishers adds weight to branded content, positioning the company as a trusted authority in its space.
- Direct impact on conversions: In the U.S., 31% of consumers report making purchases based on online ads, proving that well-placed native campaigns influence real buying decisions.
- Cross-channel adaptability: Native ads can be deployed on social platforms, editorial sites, apps or eCommerce listings, adapting the message to fit each environment while maintaining brand consistency.
- Creative flexibility: Whether through video stories, interactive articles or in-feed posts, native advertising supports multiple approaches to deliver content that engages and converts.
Why Disclosure Matters In Native Ads
Native ads work best when they blend in, but showing clearly that it’s an ad builds trust.
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the U.S. agency responsible for consumer protection, requires ads to be clearly and conspicuously disclosed so that people understand when they are viewing paid content.
If an ad isn’t marked, readers may feel misled, which can damage both the publisher and the brand. On the other hand, clear labeling improves credibility and helps audiences feel respected.
Best Practices For Marking Native Ads
- Use simple, familiar words like “Sponsored,” “Promoted,” or “Paid Advertisement.” Avoid vague terms such as “Partnered” or “Presented By” that might confuse readers.
- Place the disclosure where people will see it immediately, such as at the top of the ad unit, above the headline or next to the content preview.
- Keep the label visible on all devices. Don’t bury disclosures in dropdowns, small footers or hover states.
- Match the size and style to the ad unit. Disclosures should be easy to notice without disrupting the overall design.
- Stay consistent across platforms. Whether the ad appears on a news site, social feed or app, use the same disclosure format to avoid confusing users.
Tip: Treat disclosure as part of your design system. When labels are clear and integrated seamlessly, users trust both the publisher and the brand more.
Emerging Trends In Native Advertising For 2025 & Beyond
Native advertising continues to evolve as platforms, technology and consumer behavior change.
The trends below show where the industry is heading and how brands can stay ahead of the curve:
- AI-powered personalization: Ads adjust in real time based on reader data. For example, recommendation widgets can show different headlines depending on recent browsing.
- Voice-native ads: Podcasts and voice assistants weave in sponsor messages as natural host-read recommendations, not jarring breaks.
- Shoppable posts: Instagram and TikTok now let users tap and buy without leaving the app, reducing friction and boosting impulse purchases.
- Cross-channel storytelling: Brands connect campaigns across media: a travel story on NatGeo, a related Instagram video and an Expedia deal, all reinforcing the same narrative.
Native Ads Vs Display Ads: Core Differences
Understanding the dynamics of native vs display ads helps brands choose the right mix to meet visibility, engagement and conversion goals.
Each format serves a unique role in the customer journey and knowing how they differ allows for smarter allocation of budget and creative resources:
- Placement and integration: Native ads blend into the content environment, appearing as part of the user’s natural browsing experience. Display ads sit in dedicated spaces like banners or sidebars, clearly set apart from the main content.
- User experience: Native formats feel aligned with what users are already engaging with, reducing disruption and increasing relevance. Display ads are more likely to interrupt the experience, which can limit how users interact with them.
- Engagement potential: Native ads typically generate deeper interaction because they offer content that informs, entertains or adds value. Display ads, while effective for reach, are more likely to result in quick impressions rather than meaningful engagement.
- Targeting and relevance: Native campaigns often use contextual alignment to match user interests, keeping content timely and relevant. Display ads rely heavily on behavioral and demographic targeting, which can sometimes result in mismatched placements.
- Performance focus: Native formats are best for building trust, driving qualified traffic, and supporting long-term conversions. Display ads excel at quick visibility, retargeting and pushing time-sensitive promotions.
The table below illustrates the key differences between native vs display ads:
| Characteristic | Native Ads | Display Ads |
| Placement | Blends into content feeds or platforms | Fixed spots like banners or sidebars |
| User Experience | Feels natural and non-disruptive | Often interruptive or easy to ignore |
| Engagement | Encourages longer attention and interaction | Generates quick impressions, less interaction |
| Targeting | Contextual, based on content and intent | Heavily reliant on behavioral data |
| Performance | Builds trust and supports long-term conversions | Best for quick visibility and retargeting |
| Creativity | Flexible formats like articles, videos, or carousel | Limited to standard sizes and layouts |
Maximize Native Ads Potential With Digital Silk
Maximizing the potential of native advertising requires the right balance of strategy, creative execution and audience insight.
When campaigns align with user behavior and platform context, they build trust, engagement and conversions more effectively.
Digital Silk‘s marketing specialists craft data-driven native ad strategies tailored to your brand’s goals, combining creative execution with advanced targeting to deliver campaigns that resonate with your audience and generate meaningful results.
As a full-service digital marketing agency, our offerings include:
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Contact our team, call us at (800) 206-9413 or fill in the Request a Quote form below to schedule a consultation.
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