ads.txt/app-ads.txt FAQs

The text file includes separate lines for each exchange or SSP that is authorized to sell your inventory. Each of these lines should contain three pieces of data (plus a fourth optional field), in the format:

<Field #1>, <Field #2>, <Field #3>, <Field #4>

• <Field #1>: The canonical domain name of the system where bidders connect. This may be the operational domain of the system, if it’s different than the parent corporate domain, to facilitate WHOIS and reverse IP lookups to establish clear ownership. The SSP or exchange may publish the domain name to use.

  For Google seller accounts, the domain name is always google.com.

• <Field #2>: The publisher identifier associated with the seller or reseller account for the system in field #1. This must contain the same value as that specified in an SSP or exchange transaction (such as OpenRTB bid requests). Typically, in OpenRTB, this is the publisher.id field. For OpenDirect, it is typically the publisher’s organization ID. 

  For Google seller accounts, use the publisher ID displayed in each account (for example, pub-0000000000000000). To find this ID:

  • In AdSense: Sign in to your AdSense account and click Account  Account information.
  • In Google Ad Manager: Sign in to Google Ad Manager and click Admin Global settings to find the publisher ID of your primary account and any other linked accounts.
  Only include the pub- prefix and the 16-digit numeric code in your declaration. Delete the product-specific prefix (for example, ca- or ca-video-). If you monetize through multiple Ad Manager and/or AdSense accounts, you must include a separate row for each account, with its corresponding pub- code.

  Domains/apps hosting an ads.txt/app-ads.txt file where the seller’s publisher ID isn’t listed are no longer monetized through Ad Manager, and Google no longer buys ads on such sites/apps.

  Updating your ads.txt/app-ads.txt files to include publisher IDs for each site you want to monetize is recommended. Learn how to update ads.txt/app-ads.txt in Ad Manager.

• <Field #3>: The type of account or relationship. This field should be treated as case-insensitive when interpreting the data.
  • A value of 'DIRECT' indicates that the publisher (content owner) directly controls the account indicated in field #2 and has a direct business contract between the publisher and the advertising system.

    Google publishers who directly control the account indicated in field #2 should specify 'DIRECT'.

  • A value of 'RESELLER' indicates that the publisher has authorized another entity to control the account indicated in field #2 and resell their ad space via the system in field #1.

    Google publishers who don't directly control the account indicated in field #2 should specify 'RESELLER'. For example, an Ad Manager account using Scaled Partner Management should specify 'RESELLER' for inventory the account doesn't directly manage.

• <Field #4>: (Optional): A unique identifier for the advertising system within a certification authority, which maps to the entity listed in field #1. One certification authority is the Trustworthy Accountability Group (TAG), and the TAG ID would be included here.

  For Google seller accounts, the TAG ID is f08c47fec0942fa0.