ClickTag implementation for Innovid (formerly Flashtalking)
Innovid (which acquired Flashtalking in 2025) uses either a clickthroughUrl variable or the FT API to handle clickTag functionality in HTML5 creatives. This guide covers both implementation patterns, the required manifest.js script, common errors, and how Adloom validates and fixes Innovid creatives.
How Innovid clickTag works
Innovid provides two mechanisms for click handling: a simple variable-based approach using clickthroughUrl, or a more advanced API-based approach using the FT (Flashtalking) API.
Both approaches require loading the manifest.js script from Innovid's CDN. This script bootstraps the Innovid environment and makes the FT API available to your creative.
The variable-based approach is simpler and recommended for straightforward creatives. The FT API approach is more powerful and suitable for complex creatives with advanced tracking requirements.
Method 1: clickthroughUrl variable
This is the simpler and most common approach. Declare a clickthroughUrl variable and use it in your click handler.
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
<meta charset="utf-8">
<title>Ad Creative</title>
<script src="https://cdn.flashtalking.com/manifests/v2/manifest.js"></script>
<style>
body { margin: 0; padding: 0; }
.ad-container { width: 300px; height: 250px; background: #000; cursor: pointer; }
</style>
</head>
<body>
<div class="ad-container" id="adElement"></div>
<script>
// Declare clickthroughUrl in global scope
var clickthroughUrl = "https://example.com";
// Handle click
document.getElementById("adElement").addEventListener("click", function() {
window.open(clickthroughUrl, "_blank");
});
</script>
</body>
</html>Key points: The manifest.js script is loaded from the Innovid CDN; clickthroughUrl is declared as a variable with a fallback URL; the click handler uses window.open().
Method 2: FT API (advanced)
For more advanced creatives, use the FT API directly. This provides better integration with Innovid's tracking and reporting systems.
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html>
<head>
<meta charset="utf-8">
<title>Ad Creative</title>
<script src="https://cdn.flashtalking.com/manifests/v2/manifest.js"></script>
<style>
body { margin: 0; padding: 0; }
.ad-container { width: 300px; height: 250px; background: #000; cursor: pointer; }
</style>
</head>
<body>
<div class="ad-container" id="adElement"></div>
<script>
// Use the FT API for click handling
document.getElementById("adElement").addEventListener("click", function() {
FT.click("clickthroughUrl");
});
</script>
</body>
</html>Key points: The FT API method (FT.click()) automatically handles click tracking and URL substitution; no separate variable declaration needed.
Common errors to avoid
Missing manifest.js script
Without loading the manifest.js library from Innovid's CDN, the FT API will not be available, and your creative may not function correctly within Innovid's environment.
<!-- WRONG: Missing script -->
<body>
<script>
FT.click("clickthroughUrl"); // May fail if FT is not defined
</script>
</body>
<!-- CORRECT: Script loaded first -->
<head>
<script src="https://cdn.flashtalking.com/manifests/v2/manifest.js"></script>
</head>Using old Flashtalking CDN URLs
If your creative was built for Flashtalking, it may reference older CDN URLs. Innovid has updated the manifest.js URL; use https://cdn.flashtalking.com/manifests/v2/manifest.js for current Innovid creatives.
<!-- OLD Flashtalking URL (may be deprecated) -->
<script src="https://flashtalking.com/manifests/manifest.js"></script>
<!-- CURRENT Innovid URL -->
<script src="https://cdn.flashtalking.com/manifests/v2/manifest.js"></script>Wrong variable name
Use clickthroughUrl (camelCase, lowercase "click"). Don't use clickTag or other variants. The FT API expects FT.click('clickthroughUrl').
// WRONG
var clickTag = "https://example.com";
FT.click("clickTag");
// CORRECT
var clickthroughUrl = "https://example.com";
FT.click("clickthroughUrl");Mixing both methods incorrectly
Choose one method: either the variable approach or the FT API. Don't mix them in a way that causes conflicts or redundant tracking calls.
Missing fallback URL
If using the variable method, always provide a fallback URL. If Innovid cannot inject a URL (e.g. during testing), the fallback ensures the creative remains clickable.
// WRONG
var clickthroughUrl;
// CORRECT
var clickthroughUrl = "https://example.com";How Adloom detects Innovid clickTag
Adloom scans your creative for both Innovid implementation patterns. It looks for:
Variable method:
/var\s+clickthroughUrl\s*=\s*["']([^"']+)["']/FT API method:
/FT\.click\s*\(\s*['"]clickthroughUrl['"]\s*\)/manifest.js script tag:
/<script[^>]*src="[^"]*manifest\.js[^"]*"[^>]*>/Adloom validates that either method is correctly implemented, that the manifest.js script is included, and that the variable or API call uses the correct name.
How Adloom auto-fixes Innovid issues
If Adloom detects missing or incorrect Innovid clickTag implementation, it can automatically fix it. Here's what happens:
var clickthroughUrl = "..." or FT.click('clickthroughUrl').How Adloom helps
Detects both implementation patterns
Adloom recognises both the variable method (clickthroughUrl) and the FT API method (FT.click()), ensuring compatibility with various Innovid creatives.
Validates manifest.js loading
Adloom confirms that your creative includes the correct manifest.js script from Innovid's current CDN. If the URL is outdated, Adloom alerts you and can update it.
Helps migrate from Flashtalking
If your creative was built for legacy Flashtalking, Adloom can update CDN URLs and modernise the implementation to current Innovid standards.
One-click auto-fix
Use Adloom's "Fix all" button to inject correct Innovid clickTag implementation, update manifest.js URLs, and ensure proper click tracking in one click.
Convert between platforms
Have a creative built for another platform? Adloom can auto-convert it to Innovid format with a single click, handling all clickTag syntax differences.
Next steps
- Amazon Ad Server clickTag implementation: EventBus API pattern for legacy Sizmek creatives.
- Adform clickTag implementation: DHTML API pattern.
- Getting started with Adloom: upload a creative and see Adloom's detection in action.