The Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) developed ads.txt in 2017. Ads.txt is a framework that defines how publishers should list their authorized monetization partners. Using this file, the buy-side can identify which sellers the publisher has authorized to sell their inventory.
The IAB released the app version for ads.txt called app-ads.txt, as an extension of ads.txt. The simple app-ads.txt standard helps prevent the unauthorized selling of in-app inventory and app domain spoofing.
Updating/Adding a Developer Website
It is important to pay attention to the instructions below before beginning the app-ads.txt process.
- You must list your Developer Website URL in the iTunes and GooglePlay app stores, as relevant.
- There must be a valid developer website URL in all app stores hosting your apps.
- This app-ads.txt guide only addresses Apple's App Store and Google Play stores, with both you can fully comply with the specs of app-ads.txt.
- The Developer Website URL is used by advertising platforms to locate the app-ads.txt file.
Listing developer websites and completing every step for the AppStore or GooglePlay operating system is mandatory to complete app-ads.txt implementation.
AppStore
Developer page is listed under Developer Website:
Follow these instructions to either update or add a developer website to the App Store page:
- On the Apple Developer Program page, click App Store Connect.
- Select the app for which you want to add a new version.
- Inside the app, click +Version or Platform
- In the new version add the Marketing URL:
- Post the /app-ads.txt file on the root folder of your developer website, listing all authorized sellers of their app inventory.
Contact your internal webmaster to post the .txt file on your developer website including all direct and indirect authorized sellers of your inventory.
Google Play
The developer page is listed under Visit Website
Follow these instructions to either update or add a developer website to Google Play:
- On the Google Play Console select the game for which you want to add a website
- On the left menu bar click Store Presence -> Store Listing
- Enter the details of your app
- Enter your contact details including the website.
- Post the /app-ads.txt file on the root folder of your developer website, listing all authorized sellers of their app inventory.
Contact your internal webmaster to post the .txt file on your developer website including all direct and indirect authorized sellers of your inventory.
Adding DT to your App-Ads.txt File
To list Digital Turbine in your app-ads.txt file, you must:
- Login to the console here.
- Click the login details on the top-left of the screen
- Click User Profile
- Copy your Publisher ID and paste it in the correct location:
digitalturbine.com, [Insert Publisher ID], DIRECT
For more information on the app-ads.txt data fields and components, see below:
| Field | Component | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Field 1 (Required) |
Advertising System Domain | fyber.com |
| Field 2 (Required) |
Publisher ID | The Publisher ID generated in Console |
| Field 3 (Required) |
Relationship | DIRECT is listed since you have a direct relationship with fyber.com. Note: Case-insensitive. |
| Field 4 (Optional) |
Certification Authority ID | Optional listing of Tag ID. Not required to implement app-ads.txt |
Listing Indirect Authorized Sellers
A value of RESELLER indicates the publisher has authorized another entity to resell their ad inventory through Digital Turbine.
For example, DT sells your inventory to a large desktop-focused exchange and that exchange re-sells your inventory to DSPs. On the large desktop-focused Exchange, your inventory on DT is setup under a single publisher.
Only the publisher has the authority to determine who is authorized to sell their supply. DT's role is to advise on a list of resellers we believe will help maintain your revenues.
If you decide to authorize DT's recommended list of resellers (listed below), directly copy and paste the reseller data under digitalturbine.com's listing on your app-ads.txt file
How to List DT Direct and DT Resellers
Important
Publishers should be careful of unknown companies reaching out directly and requesting to be added to app-ads.txt files. This might be fraud. Digital Turbine strongly advises that publishers only list companies they and their DIRECT partners work with. Digital Turbine is here to help keep fraudulent actors out of your app-ads.txt file. Reach out to your dedicated account manager should any suspicious company try to contact you.
Limitations for Developer Website Listings
Use of a 1st or 2nd level subdomain is recommended. i.e., website.com or my.website.com
- When buyers crawl the developer website, they remove 3rd level subdomains, and so on i.e., my.subdomain.website.com becomes subdomain.website.com or very.long.list.of.subdomains.domains.com becomes subdomains.domains.com
- www. and m. subdomains must not be used
Example: apppublisher.com/app-ads.txt