{"id":667,"date":"2022-05-25T20:18:54","date_gmt":"2022-05-25T20:18:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/newormedia.com\/blog\/?p=667"},"modified":"2024-11-15T23:14:02","modified_gmt":"2024-11-15T23:14:02","slug":"what-is-adstxt","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/newormedia.com\/blog\/what-is-adstxt\/","title":{"rendered":"What is Ads.txt?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Experts predict\u00a0revenue loss from ad fraud<\/a>\u00a0to surpass a whopping 44 billion dollars this year. This money isn\u2019t a loss to advertisers only but takes from publishers\u2019 pockets as well.<\/p>\n

In response to this issue (ad fraud, domain spoofing, etc.), in 2017, the IAB Tech Lab created the solution of ads.txt files. A solution meant to prevent the sale of counterfeit inventory as publishers navigate the advertising ecosystem.<\/p>\n

Today, ads.txt files are becoming increasingly popular and even a requirement for certain ad exchanges and ad networks.<\/p>\n

What Exactly Is Ads.txt?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Ads.txt is the IAB Tech Lab (IAB)\u00a0initiative<\/a>\u00a0to increase transparency in the programmatic world. It\u2019s short for \u201cAuthorized Digital Sellers\u201d and allows you to declare the ad partners that can sell your inventory publicly. The text files essentially show where impressions are purchased from and resold. As a result, fraudsters will have a more difficult time selling publisher inventory that doesn\u2019t belong to them \u2014 preventing domain hijacking and other types of fraud. It\u2019s better protection for publisher inventory and a solid method to keep money in your digital pocket.<\/p>\n

Is Ads.txt the same as App-Ads.txt?<\/strong><\/h3>\n

App-ads.txt is a mobile extension of the IAB\u2019s ads.txt file initiative. Both verify ad inventory and prevent fraud but on different platforms. So, publishers can incorporate app-ads.txt on mobile apps to declare authorized sellers and protect their ads.<\/p>\n

How Does Ads.txt Work? Who Uses It?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The ads.txt file lists all the authorized partners that can sell publisher inventory in programmatic advertising. So, the publisher would add this text file onto their web server \u2014 which includes all ad exchanges, SSPs or DSPs authorized to partake in buying and selling.<\/p>\n

Buyers can then check the validity before making a purchase. They check the bid request against the publisher\u2019s account ID number to prove a sale is legitimate. It creates a secure method for programmatic buying.<\/p>\n

Ads.txt files are beneficial to any publisher using ad tech to automate the selling process. It creates a safe way to bid without ad revenue being at risk of hijacking.<\/p>\n

How Is Ads.txt Implemented?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Starting is as easy as creating a text file, naming it ads.txt, and uploading it to the root directory of your domain.<\/p>\n

For publishers using WordPress, you can download an ads.txt plugin onto your website. Once downloaded, users click into Settings> Ads.txt to customize by placing their list and saving it.<\/p>\n

Both AdSense and Google Ad Manager recommend the use of ads.txt. AdSense provides a downloadable ads.txt file which includes your publisher ID. So long as it\u2019s up to date, publishers can download the file and upload it to the root directory of their website. Check out\u00a0this helpful list<\/a>\u00a0for more information.<\/p>\n

Publishers who want to implement ads.txt with other ad platforms will have just as easy of a time. You can create it in any text editor, such as Notepad or Microsoft Word. The file should have one line for every seller you wish to authorize in the domain in the following\u00a0ads.txt specification<\/a>\u00a0format:<\/p>\n

<Field #1>, <Field #2>, <Field #3>, <Field #4 \u2013 Optional ><\/p>\n

The first three fields are mandatory.<\/p>\n