Ads that feel native.
Not like ads.
Traditional display ads fail with developers. Banner blindness, ad blockers, and irrelevant placements waste your budget. Idlen's 7 native ad formats appear directly in code editors and AI platforms—where developers actually spend their time.
Our formats achieve 3.2% average CTR—6x higher than traditional display. Because when ads appear during natural workflow pauses, developers actually see them.
- 30-40% ad blocking - Developers use ad blockers at 3x the rate of general users
- Banner blindness - Years of web browsing trained developers to ignore sidebar placements
- Wrong context - Ads on tech blogs interrupt reading, not coding
- Mixed audiences - 60-80% of impressions wasted on non-developers
- 0% ad blocking - Native integration means no blocking possible
- Natural timing - Ads appear during AI wait times and build pauses
- Developer context - Ads in the IDE feel relevant, not intrusive
- 100% developers - Every impression reaches a verified developer
Idlen vs Traditional Display Advertising
See why native developer formats outperform traditional display across every metric that matters.
| Metric | Idlen Native Ads | Traditional Display | Improvement |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average CTR | 3.2% | 0.1-0.5% | 6-30x |
| Viewability | 92% | 45-55% | 1.7x |
| Audience Quality | 100% developers | Mixed | — |
| Ad Blocking Rate | 0% | 30-40% | — |
| Brand Safety | 100% | Variable | — |
Where your ads appear
Idlen ads appear across the tools developers use daily. From code editors to AI assistants, reach developers in their natural workflow.
Code Editors
AI Platforms
Choose your placement
Each format is engineered for specific campaign objectives. High-attention formats for launches and announcements, subtle formats for ongoing brand awareness and retargeting.
Popup
Maximum ImpactFull-attention modal that appears directly in the code editor. This is our highest visibility format, capturing 100% of developer attention with rich media support including autoplay video. The popup appears during natural workflow pauses like AI response generation or build completion, ensuring your message lands at the perfect moment.
The Popup format is ideal for product launches, brand campaigns, and video content. With a 15-second display time and 5-minute cooldown, developers have ample time to engage without feeling overwhelmed. The format supports both static images and video content, making it perfect for product demos, feature announcements, or brand storytelling.
Your Ad Title
Compelling ad copy goes here...
Rich Toast
Elegant & Non-intrusiveA floating notification that slides in smoothly from the corner with media support and an animated progress bar. This format strikes the perfect balance between visibility and respect for the developer's workflow. The progress bar shows exactly how long the ad will display, giving users control and transparency.
Rich Toast is our most versatile format for ongoing campaigns. The 8-second duration is long enough to convey your message but short enough to avoid disruption. It's particularly effective for feature announcements, limited-time offers, and event promotions where you need frequent touchpoints without fatigue.
Ad Title Here
Short description...
Sidebar Panel
Always VisibleA persistent panel in the IDE sidebar that provides continuous brand presence. Unlike interruptive formats, the sidebar is always visible but never in the way. It includes three tabs: Ad (your content), Earnings (developer revenue), and Stats (performance metrics), creating an engaging experience.
The Sidebar format is perfect for long-term brand building and developer tool promotion. Because it's persistent, developers see your brand multiple times per session without active interruption. This format excels at building familiarity and trust over time, making it ideal for SaaS tools, developer services, and ongoing awareness campaigns.
Sidebar Ad
Always visible in your IDE...
Inline (CodeLens)
Contextual & SmartThe most contextual ad format available. Inline ads appear as subtle annotations directly above import statements in the code editor, but only when your ad is relevant to the developer's actual tech stack. If you're promoting a React library, the ad only shows to developers with React in their dependencies.
Inline CodeLens ads are revolutionary for developer tool marketing. By appearing directly in the code context where they're relevant, these ads achieve exceptional engagement despite their subtle appearance. A developer importing axios sees your faster HTTP client suggestion right where it matters. This precision drives the highest relevance scores in our platform.
Native Notification
System NativeUses VS Code's native notification system, making ads feel like a natural part of the IDE experience. This format comes in three variants: simple (text only), progress (with countdown), and detailed (multi-line with context). The native feel reduces ad blindness and increases trust.
Native notifications are the most subtle format for developers who prefer minimal disruption. By using the IDE's built-in notification system, these ads inherit the trust and familiarity of system messages. They're perfect for quick announcements, updates, and subtle reminders that don't require rich media.
💡 Ad Title — Short description...
Format Specifications Comparison
Compare technical specifications across all formats to find the right fit for your campaign objectives and creative assets.
| Specification | Popup | Rich Toast | Sidebar | Inline | Overlay | Browser Toast |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max Width | 480px | 360px | ~280px | Auto | 480px | 360px |
| Duration | 15s | 8s | Persistent | Persistent | 15s | 8s |
| Cooldown | 5 min | 2 min | On refresh | 1 min | Dynamic | Dynamic |
| Image Support | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Video Support | ✓ | ✓ | — | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Average CTR | 4.2% | 3.1% | 1.8% | 2.4% | 4.8% | 3.4% |
| Best For | Launches | Offers | Awareness | Dev tools | Impact | Retargeting |
Asset requirements for optimal performance
Technical specifications for images, videos, and text content. Following these guidelines ensures your ads display perfectly across all formats and achieve maximum engagement.
Image
High-quality visuals that capture attention instantly
- Use high contrast for dark IDE backgrounds
- Include your logo prominently
- Keep text minimal and readable
Video
Engaging motion content for maximum impact
- Front-load your key message
- Design for silent viewing
- Add captions for accessibility
Text
Compelling copy that drives action
- Use action verbs in CTAs
- Highlight developer benefits
- Be specific about value proposition
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about native developer ad formats, specifications, and best practices.
Ready to reach developers where they code?
Choose from 7 native ad formats designed specifically for developer environments. No minimum spend required, real-time analytics, and precision targeting included with every campaign.
Join 200+ companies already advertising to 50,000+ developers on Idlen.