Skip to main content

Configure your app-ads.txt

The Authorized Digital Sellers ("app-ads.txt") initiative from IAB Tech Lab is a critical tool to combat ad fraud and protect your app's advertising revenue. By creating an app-ads.txt file, you publicly declare which ad sources are authorized to sell your ad inventory, preventing unauthorized sellers from profiting from your app.

Maintaining an up-to-date app-ads.txt file is essential for maximizing your ad revenue, as many ad networks will not bid on inventory that isn't verified through this method.

How to Implement app-ads.txt​

Follow these steps to correctly set up your app-ads.txt file:

Step 1: Create the app-ads.txt File​

Create a new plain text file named app-ads.txt.

Step 2: Add Authorized Seller Entries​

For each ad network and mediation platform you use, you must add an entry to this file. Each line should be formatted as follows:

<Ad Source Domain>, <Publisher ID>, <Relationship Type>, <Certification ID>
  • Ad Source Domain: The domain of the advertising system (e.g., google.com).
  • Publisher ID: Your unique identifier with that ad network.
  • Relationship Type: DIRECT if you directly control the account, or RESELLER if a third party manages it.
  • Certification ID: The network's IAB Tech Lab certification ID (optional but recommended).

Example app-ads.txt entries:

x3mads.com, 12345, DIRECT, 67890
google.com, pub-0000000000000000, RESELLER, f08c47fec0942fa0

Step 3: Publish the File on Your Developer Website​

Upload the app-ads.txt file to the root directory of your developer website. The file must be accessible at a URL like:

https://www.your-developer-website.com/app-ads.txt

Step 4: Update Your App Store Listings​

Ensure that the developer website URL in your app's listing on the Google Play Store and Apple App Store is correct and points to the domain where you hosted the app-ads.txt file.

  • Google Play Store: Update the "Website" field in your store listing.
  • Apple App Store: Update the "Marketing URL" in your App Store Connect listing.

Ad networks will use this URL to find and crawl your app-ads.txt file. It may take up to 24 hours for the changes to be verified by all networks.

Keep it Updated

Remember to update your app-ads.txt file whenever you add or remove an ad network or mediation partner to ensure your revenue is not impacted.