HTML5 SDK and "Distraction Free" Video in Safari 18 / MacOS Sequoia

[Sarah Rimron-Soutter]

Hi Team,

We've noticed that ad display using the HTML5 SDK is compromised if a user engages with the Video Viewer option under the Distraction Free menu of Safari 18 in the current Sequoia Beta. 

This behaviour is reproducible on the IMA3 HTML5 demo page: 

* Using Safari 18 in MacOS Sequoia, visit https://googleads.github.io/googleads-ima-html5/vsi/

* From the Sample Tags, copy and paste a tag that will provide midrolls

* Click "Test Ad" and wait for any preroll to finish

* While content is playing, engage the "VideoViewer" option from the Distraction Free menu in the address bar

* Observe that when the midroll is due to play, the content video remains isolated, but paused while the ad plays in the background (it may be partially visible but is mostly obscured by the content video element and tinted modal)

* The content resumes playing after the midroll ad has finished.

We understand that, depending on the implementation of the isolation feature in Safari, it may not be possible for the IMA3 HTML5 SDK to guarantee that an ad will visible while this feature is in use. 

However we would be grateful if the IMA3 team could advise of any recommendations or workarounds for the issue and advise if we can expect an improvement in ad visibility during use of this feature with future release of the HTML5 SDK

Many thanks 

Sarah Rimron-Soutter

[IMA SDK]

Hi Sarah Rimron-Soutter,

Thank you for contacting the IMA SDK support team.

I’ve tried to reproduce the issue with a sample tag that has pre-roll, mid-roll, and post-roll in Safari 18 in the VSI tool with the steps you have mentioned, but the distraction control isn’t engaging the "VideoViewer" option from the Distraction Free menu in the address bar. Having said that, I would request you to send a video recording of the issue so that we can understand the issue clearly. 

You can provide the following details via reply privately to the author option or directly provide it to the link below.

If the file(s) you are looking to share are less than 25mb in total you can attach them to this case on your next reply. If you are having trouble attaching your file to this case or if your file(s) are larger than 25mb, you can share your files with me by performing the following steps:

1. Navigate to

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfkAiXMeYP-fw1W3Z-tT9uwmATEKO5X6S-th0gR2ezdKaaqfg/viewform?usp=pp_url&entry.400550049=IMA+SDK&entry.460850823=5004Q00002vG6ysQAC&entry.80707362=00268079

2. Fill out all fields, and attach your file(s).

3. Please reply back on this thread when you have uploaded your file(s). Please do not share this link. 

This message is in relation to case "ref:!00D1U01174p.!5004Q02vG6ys:ref" (ADR-00268079)

Thanks,
 

IMA SDK Team

[Sarah Rimron-Soutter]

I've submitted the recording using the form because it was quite large, however as there is no sensitive information contained in the recording, here's a public link to view it: https://players.brightcove.net/6314253885001/CSpRMXWlPk_default/index.html

* The sample tag

* During the video, I move the mouse to keep the timeline in view but I do not click or pause the video

* The ads are obscured by the video viewer but at 15 seconds the video pauses and you can see that ad progression events are recorded in the info panel. The content resumes after the midroll ad has completed

* At 60 seconds, the content has ended and the postroll is obscured while you can see that ad progression events are still being sent 

[IMA SDK]

Hi Sarah,

I have observed and raised this concern to the wider team and we will get back to you once we have an update.

[Sarah Rimron-Soutter]

Hi there,

Please could you advise of the expected timescale for a response on this?

Many thanks

Sarah Rimron-Soutter

[IMA SDK]

Hi Sarah,

This issue has been raised, and it’s currently being investigated. I cannot provide a scheduled timeline for this bug. As stated earlier one of my team members will contact you once we have an update. 

[htu...@brightcove.com]

Hi Google team,

It's been a month since the last update. Is there any progress on this?

Thanks in advance!

[IMA SDK]

Hi,

Thank you for getting back to us.

This issue is under investigation. Once I get any update on it, I will intimate you. Meanwhile, your patience is important. 

[htu...@brightcove.com]

Hi Google team, 

Any progress on this? 

Kind Regards,

[IMA SDK]

Hi,

Your issue is still under investigation. Once we receive any updates, we will intimate you. Meanwhile, your patience is important.

This message is in relation to case "ref:!00D1U01174p.!5004Q02vG6ys:ref" (ADR-00268079)

Thanks,
 

IMA SDK Team

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