---
title: The Universal Video Player
description: Do you want to monetize your website with video ads without making any video content? The Universal Video Player will let you do just that.
---

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2. [Video](https://help.mediavine.com/video?hsLang=en)
3. [Mediavine Universal Player](https://help.mediavine.com/video?hsLang=en#mediavine-universal-player)

# The Universal Video Player

## Do you want to monetize your website with video ads without making any video content? The Universal Video Player will let you do just that.

### What is the Universal Player?

The Universal Video Player is a small, sticky player that doesn’t require any uploaded video content. It plays short outstream video ads as the reader scrolls.

It can provide an earnings boost *no matter what your current setup is.* It’s an easy way to take advantage of high video CPMs without creating any video content. If your site already has video, you'll still see a benefit.

**Mobile View**

[![](https://help.mediavine.com/hubfs/Knowledge%20Base%20Import/downloads.intercomcdn.comio3390887479d8cd6995e110bbae365e4ebUniversal-Player-01_5-3.gif)](https://downloads.intercomcdn.com/i/o/339088747/9d8cd6995e110bbae365e4eb/Universal-Player-01_5.gif?expires=1726000200&signature=9fb273be33f92f5f3a07f5ec0999d135a093c7970e55819732ec2aa9eab26ce0&req=dyMuFsF2moVYFb4f3HP0gFdXWxqoVAIL5XPtK7lCEkjq5ApqZ8D95azNJULK%0A%2FREXxyPxXnqw2r%2F53A%3D%3D%0A)

**Desktop View**

[![](https://help.mediavine.com/hubfs/Knowledge%20Base%20Import/downloads.intercomcdn.comio3390911878fec103d4b0ff0af79afb0b2Laptop-Universal-Player_3-1.gif)](https://downloads.intercomcdn.com/i/o/339091187/8fec103d4b0ff0af79afb0b2/Laptop-Universal-Player_3.gif?expires=1726000200&signature=957c9e255a88cdb708e9a8cb70d19fe35b50d4d973abaa0ab2031a5745ec4076&req=dyMuFsB%2FnIlYFb4f3HP0gHeMx%2Fdn6emnl6DJEyRZoD5dlGw1FDAeP%2FR%2FypUr%0AvBFJ4LCyM9eOD4H9tQ%3D%3D%0A)

### **What kinds of ads will play?**

The Universal Player serves programmatic [outstream video ads.](https://www.mediavine.com/mediavine-outstream-player/) This means that, just like your display ad inventory, ads will be tailored to your readers and their interests.

### **What’s the difference between the Universal Player and the Mediavine Video Player?**

The [Universal Video Player *does not require* that you upload your own video content](https://www.mediavine.com/universal-player-one-video-solution-to-rule-them-all/) in order to serve up those high-paying video CPMs that can have such a huge impact on your earnings and RPM. It's also much smaller than the Mediavine Video Player at just 178px x 100px.

By contrast, the Mediavine Video Player will run pre-roll video ads before your own video content that you have uploaded to the dashboard.

**BONUS! The Universal Player is great at increasing video impressions per session.**

High CPM + Increased Impressions = $$$$

[![](https://help.mediavine.com/hubfs/Knowledge%20Base%20Import/downloads.intercomcdn.comio37373941963a2b0c06684ec96a4d877d7UP+vs+video-2-01-1.png)](https://downloads.intercomcdn.com/i/o/373739419/63a2b0c06684ec96a4d877d7/UP+vs+video-2-01.png?expires=1726000200&signature=2f3d079eb0d39c1045b1e5d19509c9a78b3cd2aa47a186a33c2345c2a6155385&req=dyckEcp3mYBWFb4f3HP0gIzLrm7Z8RQD2lJ8tRUTsOvzBNFskdwlpAZgrGQ8%0Ad5OCJQX%2FWQniUH2n%2FQ%3D%3D%0A)

### **How do I set the Universal Player Up?**

Just go to Settings \> Video and toggle it on. To maximize performance for this unit, **[check out this article](https://help.mediavine.com/how-to-set-up-the-universal-player?hsLang=en)** for additional settings adjustments.

### **How do I track earnings?**

Performance for the Universal Video Player is listed within the Ad Units tab.

[![Universal Video Player](https://help.mediavine.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Universal%20Video%20Player.png?width=670&height=314&name=Universal%20Video%20Player.png)](https://downloads.intercomcdn.com/i/o/373741503/e40f2b35d360c2d677d44998/image.png?expires=1726000200&signature=6d20beffd84bd4b81b9ab5668d29acf23fed334601f828d86d529457eb03d7ea&req=dyckEc1%2FmIFcFb4f3HP0gKsNtPU4URlhA6pRkciYuw276fbq%2Bh9kWWPamxwe%0AEdlfHjVqnDxuraaBaw%3D%3D%0A)

A couple of things to keep in mind:

1. To make sure you're comparing a full 24 hours, it's best to wait at least 2 days after enabling to start tracking performance.
2. If you are coming from a more traditional video setup with the Mediavine Video Player, and you've followed the above recommendations, you WILL see a decrease in video impressions and revenue. **Impressions and revenue are shifting to the Universal Player, so that is to be expected.**

If you have any questions on how to set up the Universal Video Player or evaluate performance, we're happy to help! Just reach out to [publishers@mediavine.com](mailto:publishers@mediavine.com).

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