Common ads.txt issues

File not found

If your site runs ads but has no ads.txt, buyers can't verify your inventory.

Invalid syntax

Wrong field counts, empty required values, invalid relationship types, invalid domains/IDs or malformed variables. Standard whitespace, comments, line endings, optional certification IDs and supported extensions are preserved rather than treated as errors.

Duplicate entries

Repeated seller identities, conflicting DIRECT/RESELLER relationships or duplicate manager scopes require publisher review. Flowpane reports them without choosing which business fact is authoritative.

Empty or non-ads content

A blank file and an HTML response are not a valid no-seller declaration. Review starter text and supply seller records only from your publisher and advertising partners’ authoritative information.

Resolve the cause, then verify

First compare the finding with the obtained Current content. If the expected text URL returns a theme page, challenge or redirect, ask the responsible host or CMS maintainer to correct that response. A browser-visible page does not establish that the resource was readable to Flowpane.

Establish whether this Site sells advertising, then obtain the correct advertising-system domain, account ID and relationship from the responsible publisher or partner.

Prepare a focused correction, check authored details and use your authorised publication process. A syntactically valid record does not prove a commercial relationship, prevent all fraud or certify a seller. A Site with no advertising needs a relevance decision, rather than fabricated seller records. A saved draft or dismissed notice is not proof of remediation; repeat the public check afterwards.