Quick Comparison
| Feature | Weave Ad Format (API) | Citation & Product Format (SDK) |
|---|---|---|
| Integration Type | API-based | SDK-based |
| Control | Full control of UI and placement | Automatic rendering |
| Ideal For | Platforms that weave sponsored responses inside AI output | Platforms that display pre-built cards or citations |
| Rendering | You decide how, where, and when recommendations appear | SDK auto-renders inside your app |
| Setup Time | Moderate (custom rendering) | Minimal (3-step SDK install) |
| LLM Compatibility | Perfect for agents that generate natural text | Great for assistants showing answer cards or citations |
| Tracking | Manual pixel firing | Automatic via SDK |
| Transparency Label | Add [Ad] subscript manually | Auto-included in SDK output |
| Examples | ChatGPT-style chatbots, voice agents, conversational apps | Search copilots, widgets, dashboards, browser extensions |
How to Choose
Use Weave Ad Format if you:- Want fine-grained UI and conversational control.
- Need to dynamically insert offers into AI-generated text.
- Already have an LLM integration and want programmatic flexibility.
- Want to integrate quickly with little or no code.
- Prefer AdMesh to handle rendering, labeling, and pixel tracking.
- Are building a chatbot, widget, or extension that surfaces offers or citations visually.
Example Scenarios
| Platform Type | Recommended Format | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Conversational AI (LLM chat) | Weave Ad Format | Seamless in-text blending of sponsored links |
| Search Answer Bot | Citation & Product Format | Automatically rendered sponsored citations |
| Browser Extension | Citation & Product Format | Lightweight, no custom frontend |
| In-App Chat or Assistant | Weave Ad Format | Custom UX and interaction control |
| AI Content Generator | Weave Ad Format | Natural inclusion inside long-form responses |
| Widget / Dashboard Plugin | Citation & Product Format | Quick setup with pre-rendered UI |