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
DIRECT lines inconsistent with public data
1−13 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 (1)
line 44 rubiconproject.com, 24434, DIRECT, 0bfd66d529a55807
→ observed: sellers.json lists the account as INTERMEDIARY; the same account is marked DIRECT by 3 different companies name in sellers.json: Fuze LLC domain in sellers.json: mediafuse.com
warning
Seller IDs not listed in the ad system's sellers.json
4−9 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 13 themediagrid.com, YZ5SWC, RESELLER, 35d5010d7789b49d
→ sellers_json: https://themediagrid.com/sellers.json
line 14 themediagrid.com, KG5PNX, RESELLER, 35d5010d7789b49d
→ sellers_json: https://themediagrid.com/sellers.json
line 20 triplelift.com, 12913, RESELLER, 6c33edb13117fd86"
→ sellers_json: https://triplelift.com/sellers.json
line 54 smartadserver.com, 4012, RESELLER
→ sellers_json: https://smartadserver.com/sellers.json
warning
Malformed lines
3−6 pts
Lines that buyers' crawlers will ignore.
How to fixFix the format: <ad system domain>, <seller id>, DIRECT|RESELLER[, <cert authority id>].
Evidence (3)
line 6 conversantmedia.com, PID, DIRECT/RESELLER, 03113cd04947736d
→ reason: relationship must be DIRECT or RESELLER, got 'DIRECT/RESELLER'
line 30 smartadserver.com, 4012, RESELLER"
→ reason: relationship must be DIRECT or RESELLER, got 'RESELLER"'
line 37 video.unrulymedia.com, 2720906716, RESELLER"
→ reason: relationship must be DIRECT or RESELLER, got 'RESELLER"'
info
Duplicate lines
8−4 pts
Harmless but a sign of copy-paste maintenance.
How to fixRemove duplicates; keep one copy of each line.
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
7
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 (7)
line 5 openx.com, 558769305, RESELLER, 6a698e2ec38604c6
→ sellers_json: HTTP 403
line 25 openx.com, 540274407, RESELLER, 6a698e2ec38604c6
→ sellers_json: HTTP 403
line 31 kubient.com, 6196983858a53, RESELLER, 4f12311e6ed900a3
→ sellers_json: HTTP 404
line 32 kubient.com, 6196992e5dc97, RESELLER, 4f12311e6ed900a3
→ sellers_json: HTTP 404
line 33 kubient.com, 62717b486ad86, RESELLER, 4f12311e6ed900a3
→ sellers_json: HTTP 404
line 34 kubient.com, 6196983858a53, DIRECT, 4f12311e6ed900a3
→ sellers_json: HTTP 404
line 50 openx.com, 540274407, RESELLER, 6a698e2ec38604c6
→ sellers_json: HTTP 403
info
DIRECT accounts marked confidential
1
Buyers can't see who owns these accounts.
How to fixAsk the ad system to publish your seller entry with name and domain.
Evidence (1)
line 1 google.com, pub-8142946109647949, DIRECT, f08c47fec0942fa0
Is this your app?
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