What is app-ads.txt?
app-ads.txt (“Authorized Sellers for Apps”) is a public text file in which an app developer lists every company allowed to sell its ad inventory.
Definition
app-ads.txt is an IAB Tech Lab standard that extends ads.txt from websites to mobile and CTV apps. The developer publishes it on the website listed in the app’s store page; buyers and ad networks read it to confirm that the seller of an ad impression is authorized.
Why it matters
- Advertisers avoid buying spoofed inventory — impressions sold by someone pretending to be your app.
- Many demand sources bid less on, or skip, inventory that isn’t verified by app-ads.txt.
- Ad networks such as AdMob, AppLovin and Unity show the verification status in their dashboards.
Anatomy of a line
google.com, pub-0000000000000000, DIRECT, f08c47fec0942fa0
- google.com — the ad system’s domain.
- pub-0000000000000000 — your account ID in that system.
- DIRECT — you own the account (RESELLER — a partner sells on your behalf).
- f08c47fec0942fa0 — the certification authority (TAG) ID of the ad system, optional.
Related terms
- ads.txt — the same file for websites.
- sellers.json — the ad system’s public list of the sellers it pays; together with app-ads.txt it lets buyers verify the whole supply chain.
- SupplyChain object (schain) — the path of an impression through resellers, sent with each bid request.
Open the free app-ads.txt generator
FAQ
Is app-ads.txt mandatory?
There is no law requiring it, but major ad networks expect it, and unverified inventory usually earns less.
Where does app-ads.txt go?
At the root of the developer website from your app’s store listing: https://yourdomain.com/app-ads.txt.
Related guides
- app-ads.txt — Authorized Digital Sellers
- IAB app-ads.txt generator
- Set up app-ads.txt for your website