What is ads.txt?

Ads (Authorized Digital Sellers).txt is a simple text file, locally hosted on the publisher’s website, with the requirements and standards specified by the IAB (Interactive Advertising Bureau). Making sure, that you have an up to date, and accessible ads.txt file on your server is absolutely vital in maximizing ad revenue.

In a nutshell, ads.txt makes sure that programmatic buyers recognize your content verified for purchase. These text files do not contain any personally identifiable information (PII), and cannot be used to identify you as an individual.

For additional details on ads.txt, please visit IAB Tech Lab’s website, here (available in English).

Before starting the implementation process, please make sure, that you are permitted and competent in modifying content on your site/application.[1]

How to implement ads.txt?

If you are using some commonly known CMS, like Wordpress or Drupal, please make sure, to implement ads.txt with the plugins/solutions, made exclusively for your CMS.[2]

Each site/application should have only one ads.txt implemented. Should you already have ads.txt on your content, please kindly scroll down to the next section, describing the process of integration in cases as such.

With ads.txt, you have to make sure, that the text file (named ads.txt) is accessible like so:

• DO:                     example.com/ads.txt
• DO NOT:           example.com/stuff/ads.txt

In order to be able to monetize your content effectively, PROGEX made accessible the ads.txt file in your publisher profile.

After accessing the file, please copy and paste everything – including the comment line beginning with # at the last row – into a new text file, that you save to the root folder of your server (e.g. example.com/ads.txt).

Please pay special attention to the naming convention! The file should always be named “ads.txt” (without quotes). After saving the new file, please copy the appropriate URL (e.g. example.com/ads.txt) into your preferred web browser, and check, whether it is accessible without any errors!

Implementation for applications

IAB Tech Lab is currently working on a standardized method to make ads.txt available for applications. As there is no standardized solution yet, we are waiting on IAB to provide information on the future requirements and standards. In the meantime, you can read more on ads.txt for applications by visiting this link and clicking Mobile App Solution for ads.txt. (As of 2018.11.14)

What should I do, if I already have ads.txt?

We are glad to hear that! Please make sure, that you add the lines available from your PROGEX profile to your existing ads.txt file! Also, please remember to regularly update your ads.txt file with any new/modified content.

Updating your ads.txt file

Please make sure, that you regularly visit your PROGEX profile and check, whether there were updates in the file. You can always refer to the latest edit date in comments (#) at the last line of the file above, to find out whether you need to make alterations. If so, please update your ads.txt file with the newly added/removed lines by simply copying all content over the previously added lines!