> Buyers look for app-ads.txt at the root of the developer website listed in your app's store page. If the file isn't there (or the URL returns a web page instead of a text file), buyers that require app-ads.txt won't bid on your inventory.

Source: https://appsupplyindex.com/fix/app-ads-txt-not-found · Updated: 2026-10-07 · License: CC BY 4.0 (App Supply Index)

---
[Learn](https://appsupplyindex.com/learn/) · How to fix

# app-ads.txt not found: how to fix it

Updated Oct 7, 2026 · data from 12 App Store genres · top free + top grossing charts · US · iOS + Android

**Short answer:** Buyers look for app-ads.txt at the root of the developer website listed in your app's store page. If the file isn't there (or the URL returns a web page instead of a text file), buyers that require app-ads.txt won't bid on your inventory.

**64 of 883**
ad-monetized top US apps in this index have this finding (7%)

## Why it matters

Most programmatic buyers enforce app-ads.txt for in-app inventory. Without it, ad partners' requests for your app can be treated as unauthorized.

## How to fix it

1. Check the developer website URL in App Store Connect and Google Play Console.
2. Publish a plain-text file at https://<that domain>/app-ads.txt, with the lines your ad partners give you.
3. Make sure the URL returns the file itself (HTTP 200, text/plain), not a homepage or a redirect to one.

## Apps with this finding

Each report lists the exact lines involved.

- [Cleanup: Phone Storage Cleaner](https://appsupplyindex.com/app/android-com.storage.androidcleaner) · Deep Flow Apps
- [Zillow: Homes for Sale & Rent](https://appsupplyindex.com/app/android-com.zillow.android.zillowmap) · Zillow Group
- [CARROT Weather](https://appsupplyindex.com/app/android-com.grailr.carrotweather) · Grailr LLC
- [HuntStand: GPS Maps & Tools](https://appsupplyindex.com/app/android-com.huntstand.core) · GSM Outdoors
- [Deepstash: Smarter Every Day!](https://appsupplyindex.com/app/android-com.deepstash) · Deepstash
- [Topps® BUNT® MLB Card Trader](https://appsupplyindex.com/app/android-com.topps.bunt) · The Topps Company, Inc.
- [Taimi: LGBTQ+ Dating & Meet Up](https://appsupplyindex.com/app/android-com.takimi.android) · Social Impact Inc.
- [Hily Dating app: Meet & Date](https://appsupplyindex.com/app/android-com.hily.app) · Hily Corp.
- [SCRUFF](https://appsupplyindex.com/app/android-com.appspot.scruffapp) · Perry Street Software
- [Islandwide Weather](https://appsupplyindex.com/app/android-com.islandwideweather.app) · USDSC
- [Airbrush: Face & Photo Editor](https://appsupplyindex.com/app/android-com.magicv.airbrush) · PIXOCIAL TECHNOLOGY (SINGAPORE) PTE. LTD.
- [Kismia: Dating App & Chat](https://appsupplyindex.com/app/android-com.kismia.app) · Kismia Group

[All apps →](https://appsupplyindex.com/apps)

## Questions

### Our developer URL is a subdomain or a page. Where does the file go?

At the root of the domain buyers derive from your developer URL. Placing it at the root of the registered domain covers the most common crawler behavior.

### Do apps without ads need app-ads.txt?

No. Apps that don't sell ads programmatically don't need it.

## Related

- [What is app-ads.txt?](https://appsupplyindex.com/learn/what-is-app-ads-txt)
- [DIRECT vs RESELLER](https://appsupplyindex.com/learn/direct-vs-reseller)
- [How the index checks files](https://appsupplyindex.com/methodology)

Based on the [IAB Tech Lab
ads.txt/app-ads.txt](https://iabtechlab.com/ads-txt/) and [sellers.json](https://iabtechlab.com/sellers-json/)
specifications. Numbers are automated observations of public files on the date above.