vastlint
SIMID-1.0-simid-variable-duration-value

SIMID-1.0-simid-variable-duration-value

variableDuration must be "true" when present on a SIMID InteractiveCreativeFile

WarningLinearIAB SIMID 1.0 §5

Short answer

The optional `variableDuration` attribute on `<InteractiveCreativeFile apiFramework="SIMID">` signals that the creative may extend the ad break (e.g. for a game or survey). Per SIMID §5, the only valid value is `"true"` — the spec states: "a third, optional attribute which may be included…is variableDuration=\"true\"". Any other value (`"false"`, `"1"`, `"yes"`, empty string) is not defined by the spec and will be ignored or treated as absent by players. If you do not need variable duration, omit the attribute entirely.

Why this matters in production

This is a compatibility warning. The creative may load in one player and behave inconsistently in another, especially across web and CTV implementations. Linear SIMID issues affect the handshake between the primary video creative and the interactive layer. When these break, the ad often falls back to plain video or fails interaction entirely.

The optional variableDuration attribute on <InteractiveCreativeFile apiFramework="SIMID"> signals that the creative may extend the ad break (e.g. for a game or survey). Per SIMID §5, the only valid value is "true" — the spec states: "a third, optional attribute which may be included…is variableDuration=\"true\"". Any other value ("false", "1", "yes", empty string) is not defined by the spec and will be ignored or treated as absent by players. If you do not need variable duration, omit the attribute entirely.

How to fix

Set variableDuration="true" or remove the attribute entirely if variable duration is not needed.

Broader troubleshooting

If this rule is one part of a bigger SIMID delivery issue, start with the SIMID troubleshooting guide for a checklist covering iframe URLs, HTTPS, fallback media, and player support.

Invalid

<InteractiveCreativeFile type="text/html" apiFramework="SIMID" variableDuration="1">
  <![CDATA[https://example.com/creative.html]]>
</InteractiveCreativeFile>

Valid

<InteractiveCreativeFile type="text/html" apiFramework="SIMID" variableDuration="true">
  <![CDATA[https://example.com/creative.html]]>
</InteractiveCreativeFile>
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Other Linear rules

SIMID-1.0-simid-type-required<InteractiveCreativeFile apiFramework="SIMID"> must have type="text/html"SIMID-1.0-simid-url-empty<InteractiveCreativeFile apiFramework="SIMID"> must contain a non-empty URLSIMID-1.0-simid-url-https<InteractiveCreativeFile apiFramework="SIMID"> URL must use HTTPSSIMID-1.0-simid-mediafile-requiredLinear SIMID ad must include a video/audio <MediaFile> alongside the interactive creative
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