Outdoor advertising, also known as out-of-home (OOH) advertising, includes a wide range of formats designed to reach people in public spaces. Each type of outdoor advertising serves a different purpose, audience, and environment. Understanding these types helps advertisers choose the most effective options for their goals and budgets.

This article provides a complete breakdown of the main types of outdoor advertising, how each works, and when businesses should use them.

Overview of Outdoor Advertising Types

Outdoor advertising can be grouped into several major categories:

• Billboards

• Transit advertising

• Street furniture advertising

• Digital out-of-home (DOOH) advertising

• Posters and wallscapes

Each category includes multiple formats and placements.

Billboards

Billboards are the most traditional and widely recognized type of outdoor advertising.

What Are Billboards?

Billboards are large advertising structures placed in high-visibility areas such as:

• Highways

• Major roads

• City centers

• Commercial districts

They are designed for long-distance viewing.

Types of Billboards

Traditional Static Billboards

Static billboards display printed ads that remain unchanged for the duration of the campaign.

Key characteristics:

• Single creative message

• Long-term exposure

• Lower cost than digital billboards

Digital Billboards

Digital billboards use LED screens to rotate multiple ads.

Key characteristics:

• Motion and animation

• Multiple advertisers per screen

• Time-based scheduling

They offer greater flexibility and attention.

Mobile Billboards

Mobile billboards are ads placed on moving vehicles.

Examples include:

• Trucks

• Vans

• Trailers

They can target specific neighborhoods or events.

Transit Advertising

Transit advertising reaches audiences while they commute or travel.

What Is Transit Advertising?

Transit advertising includes ads placed on or within:

• Buses

• Trains

• Subways

• Trams

• Taxis

It targets daily commuters.

Types of Transit Advertising

Bus Advertising

Bus advertising includes:

• Exterior bus wraps

• Side and rear panels

• Interior posters

It provides citywide coverage.

Train and Subway Advertising

Train ads appear:

• Inside train cars

• On station platforms

• On station walls

They are highly effective in urban environments.

Taxi and Rideshare Advertising

Taxi advertising includes:

• Rooftop ads

• Interior panels

• Digital screens

It often reaches tourists and urban professionals.

Street Furniture Advertising

Street furniture advertising places ads on everyday public objects.

What Is Street Furniture Advertising?

Street furniture includes:

• Bus shelters

• Benches

• Kiosks

• Trash bins

• Information panels

These formats target pedestrians.

Common Street Furniture Types

Bus Shelter Advertising

Bus shelter ads:

• Reach waiting passengers

• Allow longer viewing times

• Are placed at eye level

They are ideal for detailed messages.

Bench Advertising

Bench ads:

• Are highly localized

• Target neighborhoods

• Offer cost-effective exposure

They are popular with small businesses.

Kiosk Advertising

Kiosks may feature:

• Static posters

• Digital displays

• Interactive maps

They often reach tourists and city visitors.

Digital Out-of-Home (DOOH) Advertising

DOOH is the most technologically advanced type of outdoor advertising.

What Is DOOH Advertising?

DOOH uses digital screens placed in public spaces such as:

• Shopping malls

• Airports

• Office buildings

• Gyms

• Transit hubs

It blends outdoor visibility with digital capabilities.

Types of DOOH Formats

Digital Billboards

Large LED screens in outdoor locations display rotating ads.

Indoor Digital Screens

These screens appear inside:

• Retail stores

• Elevators

• Lobbies

They target people during dwell time.

Interactive DOOH Displays

Some DOOH ads allow:

• Touch interaction

• QR code scanning

• Mobile engagement

This increases engagement and measurability.

Posters

Posters are flexible and widely used outdoor advertising formats.

What Are Outdoor Posters?

Outdoor posters are printed ads placed in:

• High-foot-traffic areas

• Transit stations

• Commercial districts

They come in various sizes.

Poster Advertising Types

Small and Medium Posters

These posters:

• Are affordable

• Allow wide distribution

• Deliver frequent exposure

They are often used in bundles.

Large Format Posters

Larger posters:

• Offer higher visibility

• Stand out in urban areas

• Support bold creative

They balance cost and impact.

Wallscapes

Wallscapes are large-format outdoor advertisements displayed on buildings.

What Are Wallscapes?

Wallscapes are:

• Large posters or murals

• Mounted or painted on building walls

• Highly visible in urban areas

They often become visual landmarks.

Benefits of Wallscape Advertising

Wallscapes offer:

• Massive visual impact

• Creative storytelling opportunities

• Strong brand presence

They are premium advertising formats.

Place-Based Outdoor Advertising

Place-based advertising targets specific environments.

Common Place-Based Locations

Examples include:

• Gas stations

• Gyms

• Retail checkout areas

• Parking garages

Ads reach audiences based on context.

Event and Experiential Outdoor Advertising

Some outdoor ads are tied to experiences.

Pop-Up Installations

Pop-ups create:

• Temporary brand experiences

• Interactive displays

• Social media moments

They generate buzz and engagement.

Event Sponsorship Advertising

Outdoor ads appear at:

• Sports events

• Concerts

• Festivals

They reach highly engaged audiences.

Guerrilla Outdoor Advertising

Guerrilla advertising uses unconventional tactics.

Examples include:

• Sidewalk art

• Projection mapping

• Unexpected installations

These ads aim to surprise and go viral.

Comparing Outdoor Advertising Types

Each type serves different objectives.

Best Types for Brand Awareness

• Billboards

• Digital billboards

• Wallscapes

Best Types for Local Advertising

• Street furniture

• Posters

• Bus shelters

Best Types for Flexibility and Data

• Digital out-of-home advertising

Best Types for Frequency

• Transit advertising

• Posters

How to Choose the Right Type of Outdoor Advertising

Choosing the right type depends on:

• Target audience

• Location

• Budget

• Campaign goals

Often, combining multiple types works best.

Outdoor Advertising Type Trends

Emerging trends include:

• Growth of DOOH

• Programmatic buying

• Increased interactivity

• Better audience data

The category continues to evolve.

Final Thoughts

Outdoor advertising includes many different types, each with unique strengths and use cases. From traditional billboards and transit ads to digital screens, street furniture, and wallscapes, outdoor advertising offers unmatched visibility in the physical world.

By understanding these types and aligning them with campaign objectives, businesses can create effective outdoor advertising strategies that reach audiences where they live, work, and travel.