Earlier it used to be extremely difficult to trace supply path and to identify who handle to direct media. With the help of the new development of the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) Tech Lab, this opportunity has become available. Therefore, we decided to tell you a little about what it is and how to use it.

What is app-ads.txt?

App-ads.txt is an application for downloading text files that application developers upload to their website, where the sources of advertising that are authorized to sell resources of this developer are indicated. IAB has created a system that allows buyers to know who is authorized to buy and sell specific advertising resources in the application, and who is not.

How does app-ads.txt work for mobile apps?

DSP looking for rates for an application inventory scans the app-ads.txt file on the developer’s website to check which advertising sources are eligible to sell promotions for this application. DSP will only accept bids from advertising sources.

How app-ads.txt can benefit your mobile app?

For application developers, there are two main advantages.

1. They are receiving income from brand spending. Today, brands represent a growing and potentially significant revenue opportunity for developers. We can expect that many DSPs that stick to app-ads.txt will not acquire resources without app-ads.txt, just as they will not buy unauthorized promotions on the Internet. Developers who do not use app-ads.txt are likely to be removed from the pool of target DSP media.
2. They fight advertising fraud. Bad actors can fake apps that impersonate legitimate apps and mislead DSPs to spend brand budgets on their fake resources. Real developers end up losing advertising revenue originally meant for them. App-ads.txt blocks unauthorized impersonations of developers and minimizes fraud, which ultimately damages the final results of developers.

How will app-ads.txt be implemented? (detailed instruction)

So, how can developers make sure that their inventory is covered by app-ads.txt?

Step 1.  Specify the URL of the developer’s website in the list of applications

Make sure your developer website is updated in the app stores. This website will be used by advertising sites to verify the app-ads.txt file.

Step 2. Contact all sources of advertising

Contact your direct advertising sources and request their app-ads.txt string by the IAB structure below: Ad source domain, your publisher ID, type of relationship (direct or reseller), ad source ID

Your direct partners should be listed as “direct.” If your partners use third-party intermediaries to sell your resources, such suppliers should be listed as “intermediaries.” In any case, you should not add any provider to your application. An ads.txt file, unless you or your partner have a direct relationship with them.

Step 3. Publish app-ads.txt file

Create a file app-ads.txt in Notepad with a list of all the lines received and save.

Step 4. Upload

Upload the file in the root of your domain website (example: https://www.example.com/app-ads.txt).

P.s.

Although no one can predict what app-ads.txt can have a direct impact, there is no doubt that any effort should be made to make the mobile advertising ecosystem more transparent and secure. We need to wait and see if app-ads.txt is distributed as quickly and widely as its web counterpart.

Mobupps is working hard to be better for our clients and partners.

We are incredibly proud to announce with our publishers to implement our solution.

Full specification

Refer to the full app-ads.txt specification here.