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
7−8 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 (7)
line 16 themediagrid.com, DXW9CT, DIRECT, 35d5010d7789b49d
→ observed: the same account is marked DIRECT by 3 different companies
line 17 rubiconproject.com, 14474, DIRECT, 0bfd66d529a55807
→ observed: sellers.json lists the account as INTERMEDIARY; the same account is marked DIRECT by 3 different companies name in sellers.json: Dianomi Inc, domain in sellers.json: dianomi.com
line 40 media.net, 8CU235F3N, DIRECT #OB
→ observed: sellers.json lists the account as INTERMEDIARY name in sellers.json: Dow Jones & Company, Inc (via OB) domain in sellers.json: google.com
line 54 pubmatic.com, 158676, DIRECT, 5d62403b186f2ace #OB
→ observed: sellers.json lists the account as INTERMEDIARY name in sellers.json: Dow Jones (via EB) domain in sellers.json: google.com
line 59 video.unrulymedia.com, 2693252623, DIRECT
→ observed: sellers.json lists the account as INTERMEDIARY name in sellers.json: Google EB - Dow Jones & Company, Inc. domain in sellers.json: google.com
line 63 triplelift.com, 3940-EB, DIRECT, 6c33edb13117fd86 #OB
→ observed: sellers.json lists the account as INTERMEDIARY name in sellers.json: Dow Jones & Company (via EB Network) domain in sellers.json: google.com
line 70 video.unrulymedia.com,2693252623, DIRECT
→ observed: sellers.json lists the account as INTERMEDIARY name in sellers.json: Google EB - Dow Jones & Company, Inc. domain in sellers.json: google.com
warning
Seller IDs not listed in the ad system's sellers.json
3−8 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 (3)
line 16 themediagrid.com, DXW9CT, DIRECT, 35d5010d7789b49d
→ sellers_json: https://themediagrid.com/sellers.json
line 69 video.unrulymedia.com, UNRX-PUB-99f2bb56-7828-453a-9af4-34a0eb1ee476, DIRECT
→ sellers_json: https://video.unrulymedia.com/sellers.json
line 81 themediagrid.com, FJKY2X, DIRECT, 9fac4a4a87c2a44f #TAM
→ sellers_json: https://themediagrid.com/sellers.json
info
DIRECT accounts registered to another domain
1−1 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 (1)
line 14 dianomi.com, 1529, DIRECT, 61e7d0a6019f7cfc
→ domain in sellers.json: wsj.com name in sellers.json: WSJ
info
Duplicate lines
1−1 pts
Harmless but a sign of copy-paste maintenance.
How to fixRemove duplicates; keep one copy of each line.
Evidence (1)
ad_system: video.unrulymedia.com seller_id: 2693252623 relationship: DIRECT
info
Ad systems without a public sellers.json
6
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 (6)
line 27 appnexus.com,1285,RESELLER,f5ab79cb980f11d1 #CA
→ sellers_json: HTTP 403
line 50 openx.com,540158404,DIRECT,6a698e2ec38604c6 #OB
→ sellers_json: HTTP 403
line 51 openx.com, 543888333, DIRECT, 6a698e2ec38604c6 #TAM
→ sellers_json: HTTP 403
line 58 rhythmone.com,2693252623,DIRECT,a670c89d4a324e47
→ sellers_json: HTTP 403
line 66 appnexus.com,6849,RESELLER,f5ab79cb980f11d1
→ sellers_json: HTTP 403
line 74 appnexus.com, 7214, DIRECT, f5ab79cb980f11d1 #General
→ sellers_json: HTTP 403
Is this your app?
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