Each finding lists the exact lines involved. Findings are automated observations of public files as of
Oct 7, 2026. They describe file contents, not the intent or conduct of any company.
warning
Seller IDs not listed in the ad system's sellers.json
4−20 pts
The ad system's current sellers.json doesn't list these accounts, so buyers that validate the chain can't match them. Common causes are closed accounts or former partners.
How to fixAsk each partner whether the account is still active and request their current lines; remove lines for closed accounts.
Evidence (4)
line 2 google.com, pub-8621187278397, DIRECT, f08c47fec0942fa0
→ sellers_json: https://realtimebidding.google.com/sellers.json
line 20 google.com, mb-app-pub-1062972861553303, RESELLER, f08c47fec0942fa0
→ sellers_json: https://realtimebidding.google.com/sellers.json
line 21 google.com, video-pub-1062972861553303, RESELLER, f08c47fec0942fa0
→ sellers_json: https://realtimebidding.google.com/sellers.json
line 22 google.com, pub-7171208642811509, DIRECT, f08c47fec0942fa0
→ sellers_json: https://realtimebidding.google.com/sellers.json
warning
DIRECT lines inconsistent with public data
4−18 pts
The ads.txt specification defines DIRECT as an account the publisher directly controls. For these lines, either the ad system's own sellers.json lists the account as INTERMEDIARY, or the same account is marked DIRECT in the files of 3 or more unrelated companies. Either way, the public data does not support the DIRECT label. Buyers that use DIRECT labels in supply-path decisions may treat these lines differently.
How to fixUse DIRECT only for accounts your company controls. Confirm with each partner whether the account is yours; if it isn't, the specification calls for RESELLER.
Evidence (4)
line 22 google.com, pub-7171208642811509, DIRECT, f08c47fec0942fa0
→ observed: the same account is marked DIRECT by 3 different companies
line 25 rubiconproject.com, 22884, DIRECT, 0bfd66d529a55807
→ observed: sellers.json lists the account as INTERMEDIARY; the same account is marked DIRECT by 42 different companies name in sellers.json: Google domain in sellers.json: google.com
line 28 pubmatic.com, 159856, DIRECT, 5d62403b186f2ace
→ observed: sellers.json lists the account as INTERMEDIARY; the same account is marked DIRECT by 22 different companies name in sellers.json: Google LLC (via EB) domain in sellers.json: google.com
line 31 media.net, 8CA7SY66I, DIRECT
→ observed: sellers.json lists the account as INTERMEDIARY name in sellers.json: Al Jazeera (via OB) domain in sellers.json: google.com
info
DIRECT accounts registered to another domain
2−4 pts
Allowed when the domain belongs to the same company; add OWNERDOMAIN to make that explicit. Otherwise these accounts may belong to someone else.
How to fixIf the account is yours under another domain, declare it with OWNERDOMAIN=<that domain>; otherwise mark it RESELLER.
Evidence (2)
line 1 google.com, pub-4191821473966699, DIRECT, f08c47fec0942fa0
→ domain in sellers.json: aljazeera.net name in sellers.json: Al Jazeera Media Network
line 3 google.com, pub-8622401187278397, DIRECT, f08c47fec0942fa0
→ domain in sellers.json: aljazeera.net name in sellers.json: Al Jazeera Media Network
info
No OWNERDOMAIN declared
1−2 pts
app-ads.txt 1.1 recommends OWNERDOMAIN so buyers can match DIRECT accounts to the owner.
How to fixAdd OWNERDOMAIN=<your company domain> to the file.
info
Ad systems without a public sellers.json
3
The ad system doesn't publish a readable sellers.json, so nobody can verify these lines. That's the ad system's gap, not the app's, so no points are deducted.
How to fixAsk the partner to publish sellers.json; until then buyers can't verify that path.
Evidence (3)
line 6 facebook.com, 10153660741773690, RESELLER, c3e20eee3f780d68
→ sellers_json: HTML or login page instead of JSON
line 12 appnexus.com, 2127, Reseller, f5ab79cb980f11d1
→ sellers_json: HTTP 403
line 13 appnexus.com, 3310, Reseller, f5ab79cb980f11d1
→ sellers_json: HTTP 403
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