The Outdoor Voice Blog

7 Different Types of Outdoor Advertising

Nancy Rohr

Last Updated: February 4, 2026

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Illustrated cityscape featuring multiple roadside billboards and street-level ad placements, visually representing different types of outdoor advertising used to reach audiences along urban roads and intersections.

You’re considering investing in outdoor advertising for your next ad campaign, but what form of outdoor advertising is best for you?

Out-of-home (OOH) advertising offers a number of different options, from billboards to bus stop ads and beyond. By carefully considering your advertising goals, what will resonate with your target audience, and choosing a strategic placement for your ad, you can build a campaign that converts.

Keep reading to learn about 7 different types of outdoor advertising, and see which types of ads are the right fit for your needs. Eager to get started right away? Request a custom proposal with available outdoor ad space near you.

Table of contents

But First…Is Outdoor Advertising Effective?

Absolutely. OOH advertising isn’t just doing its job—it’s reaching new revenue highs never before seen in the industry. In an increasingly plugged-in world, outdoor advertising resonates in a unique way, and the numbers back it up: a whopping 96% of advertisers report that they’re happy with the ROI of their OOH campaigns.

Psychologically, outdoor advertising is uniquely positioned to embed itself in a person’s daily routine, providing permanence and tangibility in a digital age. Through repetition and attention-capturing techniques (and without online ad blockers getting in their way), advertisers are able to ensure their ads stick, providing an effectiveness that social media and online ads don’t have.

7 Types of Outdoor Advertising You Can Utilize

Want to take your next ad campaign offline and into the real world? Here are 7 different types of outdoor advertising you can use to connect with your audience in a new way.

1. Billboard Advertising

Large roadside billboard displaying a creative brand advertisement above a city highway, illustrating one of the most common types of outdoor advertising used to reach drivers and urban commuters.

It’s a classic for a reason. Billboard advertising stands as one of the best ways to reach your target audience. Billboards are exceptionally versatile and proven to work well for just about every industry from legal to cannabis to healthcare to tech, and everything in between. Depending on the market, you can choose between static and digital billboards to achieve high impression counts and brand recall.

2. Wallscape Advertising

Large wall mural advertisement painted on the side of a building above a car lot, demonstrating one of the classic types of outdoor advertising that uses long-term, street-level visibility to reach local audiences.

If you’re advertising in an urban area, wallscape advertising is an incredible way to stand out. These huge, eye-catching ads make an impression, and provide phenomenal visibility in areas where attention is currency.

3. Mural Advertising

Artist painting a large branded wall mural advertisement featuring beverage bottles, illustrating one of the creative types of outdoor advertising that uses hand-painted street art to attract attention in urban environments.

Artistic, exciting, and visually stunning, mural advertising adds a creative flair to your outdoor marketing. These artistic advertisements are ideal for brands wanting to make a statement, and can be strategically localized to become a landmark that locals and tourists alike want to snap a photo of and share to their social media followers.

4. Bus Advertising

Urban street scene with a city bus displaying a large side-panel advertisement at a bus stop, illustrating transit advertising as one of the prominent types of outdoor advertising used to reach commuters and pedestrians in busy city environments.

If you want to ensure that as many people as possible see your ad, why not put it on wheels? Bus advertising serves as a mobile billboard, and stands out for commuters and pedestrians going about their daily lives. Whether you choose a bus wrap, bulletin on the back of the bus, or interior placements, your ad meets people where they are.

5. Street Furniture Advertising

City bus shelter with illuminated display advertising a luxury fragrance brand, showing street-level transit ads as one of the most effective types of outdoor advertising for reaching pedestrians and commuters in high-traffic urban areas.

Street furniture advertising—such as bus shelters or benches—is uniquely powerful in the way that it seamlessly becomes a part of the landscape. Oftentimes commuters and pedestrians find it to be a less intrusive form of advertising, as it blends into the local infrastructure. It can be an ideal way to promote services or events in the area.

6. Subway Advertising

Underground subway station corridor lined with large wall posters and brand advertisements, showcasing transit posters as one of the most common types of outdoor advertising used to reach daily commuters in public transportation spaces.

Over four million people ride the New York subway system each day, making it a prime location for advertisers. NYC may be the mecca of subway advertising, but ridership is also significant in major metros like Chicago and San Francisco. Utilizing subway ads is a clear way to ensure that your campaign receives maximum visibility in a short amount of time.

7. Airport Advertising

Airport baggage claim area featuring digital display screens and illuminated wall posters, highlighting airport advertising as one of the premium types of outdoor advertising used to reach travelers in high-dwell-time environments.

You’ll be hard-pressed to find a location that attracts a more diverse set of regular visitors than an airport. Placing your ad in an airport gives you unparalleled visibility. With a variety of placements to choose from including baggage carousel areas, terminal ads, and kiosks, you can take advantage of areas with high dwell time and time your ad to coincide with holiday rushes.

Craft the Perfect Outdoor Advertising Campaign With Alluvit Media

At Alluvit Media, we’ve seen firsthand the power of outdoor advertising to connect and convert viewers into customers. Whether you’ve created numerous outdoor advertising campaigns over the years or are just beginning to wonder if OOH could be the missing piece in your marketing strategy, our expert team is here to support you every step of the way.

Ready to get started? Take the first step today by requesting a custom proposal.

FAQ:

It’s easy to get lost in a sea of advertisers when advertising in a big, busy city, so prioritize clarity, glanceability, and simple, high-contrast layouts. Big city advertising is one big battle for attention, but with strategic messaging, you can make an impact.

Definitely. Billboard advertising is actually one of the most cost-effective advertising methods, so don’t be afraid to start dreaming up an outdoor advertising strategy for your business.