# ads.txt Guru - Complete Documentation

> Professional ads.txt management, validation, and collaboration platform for publishers and ad networks. Enterprise-grade tools to eliminate manual errors, automate synchronization, and streamline publisher-network collaboration.

## Table of Contents

1. [Overview](#overview)
2. [Product Features](#product-features)
3. [Pricing & Plans](#pricing--plans)
4. [Getting Started](#getting-started)
5. [Publisher Features](#publisher-features)
6. [Ad Network Features](#ad-network-features)
7. [Technical Specifications](#technical-specifications)
8. [API Documentation](#api-documentation)
9. [Knowledge Base](#knowledge-base)
10. [Blog & Resources](#blog--resources)
11. [Support](#support)
12. [Company Information](#company-information)

---

## Overview

ads.txt Guru is a Software-as-a-Service platform that provides professional management tools for ads.txt files. Launched in 2018 and acquired by Williams Initiatives Ltd in August 2025, we serve website publishers and advertising networks who need reliable, error-free ads.txt management at scale.

### The Problem We Solve

ads.txt files are critical for programmatic advertising revenue. They declare which ad platforms are authorized to sell a publisher's inventory, preventing ad fraud. However, managing ads.txt files manually creates problems:

- **Revenue Loss from Errors**: A single typo can cause ad exchanges to reject valid inventory. For publishers earning $10,000/day, one ads.txt error means thousands in lost revenue.
- **Time-Consuming Manual Work**: Ad networks managing 50+ publishers spend 2+ hours/week on ads.txt updates ($15,600/year in labor costs).
- **Coordination Delays**: Publishers waiting for network updates lose revenue during the delay.
- **No Version Control**: Mistakes are hard to undo without backups.
- **Validation Complexity**: IAB spec compliance requires technical knowledge.

### Our Solution

We automate and streamline ads.txt management:

- **Zero Manual Editing**: Web interface replaces text editors
- **Instant Validation**: Real-time IAB spec compliance checking
- **One-Click Sync**: Automatic FTP/WordPress uploads
- **Publisher-Network Collaboration**: Networks control their records, publishers approve
- **Complete Version History**: Revert to any previous version instantly
- **Professional Tools Signal Professional Operations**: Enterprise clients trust agencies using professional tools

---

## Product Features

### Core Management Features

**Online Interface**
- Web-based dashboard accessible from any device
- Manage unlimited domains from single account (Publisher/Ad Network plans)
- Autocomplete for common ad networks (Google, AppNexus, Rubicon, etc.)
- Drag-and-drop record reordering
- Inline editing with immediate validation

**Built-in Validation**
- Real-time IAB ads.txt specification compliance
- Certification ID validation against TAG registry
- Duplicate detection and removal
- Format error highlighting with fix suggestions
- Validates before sync to prevent uploading broken files

**Import Capabilities**
- Import via URL (fetch from https://yourdomain.com/ads.txt)
- Upload ads.txt file from computer
- Copy-paste ads.txt content
- Automatic parsing and validation
- Error reporting for invalid records with correction guidance
- Duplicate detection during import (skips existing records)

**Synchronization**
- **Manual Download**: Download ads.txt for manual upload
- **One-Click FTP**: Upload via FTP/SFTP with saved credentials
- **WordPress Integration**: Direct WordPress plugin sync
- **Free Hosting**: Host at https://adstxt.guru/yourdomain.txt
- **Auto-Sync**: Automatic uploads 1 hour after changes (configurable delay)
- **Verification**: Confirms successful upload by fetching live file

**Version Control**
- Unlimited version history storage
- One-click revert to any previous version
- View diff between versions
- Timestamp and change tracking
- Collaboration records preserved across versions

**Collaboration System**
- **Publisher Side**: Accept/reject collaborator invitations
- **Ad Network Side**: Invite publishers or accept publisher requests
- **Automatic Merging**: Collaborator records auto-included in publisher ads.txt
- **Trust Indicators**: Certified collaborators display trust badge
- **Flex Records**: Unique publisher IDs per domain (Ad Network feature)
- **Approval Workflows**: Publishers control what networks can access
- **Collaboration Groups**: Networks organize publishers into groups (Standard, Premium, etc.)

### Security & Trust Features

**Domain Verification**
- Upload verification file to domain root
- Proves domain ownership to collaborators
- Required for trusted collaboration
- Verification badge displayed to potential collaborators

**Collaborator Certification**
- Identity verification for ad networks
- Requires business documentation
- Trust badge shown to publishers
- Reduces fraud risk for publishers

**FTP Security**
- Encrypted credential storage
- Credentials never shown after initial entry
- Used only for ads.txt uploads
- Can be deleted/updated anytime

**Access Control**
- Unique domain tags (like API keys) for collaboration
- Granular permission: view-only vs. edit access
- Invitation approval required
- Revoke collaboration instantly

### Advanced Features

**Flex Records (Ad Networks)**
- Single record template with per-domain publisher IDs
- Example: Instead of creating identical records for 100 publishers with different IDs, create one flex record and set unique IDs per domain
- Saves time when onboarding new publishers
- Ideal for networks with standardized ad tech stack

**Collaboration Groups (Ad Networks)**
- Organize publishers into named groups
- Different ads.txt records per group (Standard vs. Premium tiers)
- Manage up to 1,000 publishers per group
- Unlimited groups (Ad Network plan)

**API Access (Ad Network Plan)**
- Programmatic domain management
- Bulk operations
- Integration with publisher onboarding systems
- Monitor ads.txt status across portfolio
- Automated alerts for unauthorized changes
- Full API documentation at /support/api/

**Custom Appending**
- Add custom ads.txt records to end of generated file
- Useful for legacy systems or edge cases
- Maintains custom additions across collaboration updates

---

## Pricing & Plans

All paid plans include **14-day free trial with no credit card required**.

### Basic Plan (Free Forever)

**Price**: $0

**Features**:
- 10 websites (domains)
- Unlimited collaborators
- Free ads.txt hosting
- WordPress integration
- Online management interface
- Built-in validation
- Import capability

**Best For**: Individual publishers with <10 domains, no FTP auto-sync needed

### Publisher Plan

**Price**:
- $15/month (billed monthly)
- $150/year (billed annually, saves $30/year)

**Features** (includes all Basic features plus):
- **Unlimited websites**
- **Collaboration groups**: Manage up to 100 domains simultaneously with shared records
- **Automatic FTP uploads**: Set-and-forget synchronization
- **Version control**: Complete history with one-click revert
- **Auto-synchronize**: Automatic uploads after changes
- **Priority email support**

**Best For**:
- Publishers with 10+ domains
- Publishers needing FTP auto-sync
- Publishers collaborating with multiple ad networks
- Publishers requiring version control for compliance

### Ad Network Plan

**Price**:
- $45/month (billed monthly)
- $450/year (billed annually, saves $90/year)

**Features** (includes all Publisher features plus):
- **Collaborate with 1,000+ publisher domains**
- **Collaborator certification**: Earn trust badge
- **Flex records**: Unique publisher IDs per domain
- **API access**: Full programmatic control
- **Priority support**: Faster response times
- **Unlimited collaboration groups**

**Best For**:
- Ad networks managing publisher ads.txt files
- Ad sales agencies with exclusive publisher deals
- SSPs/ad tech vendors with publisher integrations
- Networks needing API access for automation

### ROI for Ad Networks

**Real Customer Case Study** (FAST/CTV agency, Beverly Hills):
- **Cost**: $450/year = $37.50/month = $1.23/day
- **Time Saved**: 2 hours/week × $150/hour = $15,600/year
- **Risk Prevented**: One prevented error = $10,000+ in client revenue
- **ROI**: 3,467%
- **Payback Period**: 11 days

**Calculation** (for 6 publisher clients):
- Manual management: 20 min/domain/week = 2 hours/week total
- Labor cost: 2 hours × $150/hour × 52 weeks = $15,600/year
- Tool cost: $450/year
- **Net savings: $15,150/year**

Plus intangible benefits:
- Client retention (no revenue-killing errors)
- Professional credibility (enterprise tools signal serious operations)
- Faster publisher onboarding
- Compliance documentation (audit trails)

### Money-Back Guarantee

30-day money-back guarantee on all paid plans. No questions asked refund if you're not satisfied.

---

## Getting Started

### For Publishers

**Step 1: Sign Up**
- Visit https://adstxt.guru/signup/
- Enter email and create password
- Verify email address
- Log in at https://adstxt.guru/my/

**Step 2: Add Domain**
- Click "Add Domain" button
- Select protocol (http:// or https://)
- Enter domain (e.g., yourdomain.com or www.yourdomain.com)
- Domain appears in domains list

**Step 3: Create ads.txt Records**

Choose one of three methods:

**Option A - Import Existing ads.txt**
1. Click domain name
2. Use "Import" form
3. Enter URL (https://yourdomain.com/ads.txt), upload file, or paste content
4. System parses and validates records
5. Review any errors and manually fix invalid records
6. Records appear in table

**Option B - Add Collaborator**
1. Get collaborator tag from ad network
2. Click domain name → Collaborators section
3. Enter collaborator tag
4. Add optional message
5. Wait for approval (or instant if network has auto-approval)
6. Network's records automatically included

**Option C - Manual Entry**
1. Click domain name
2. Use "Add Record" form
3. Select record type (Data Record, Variable, or Comment)
4. Fill in fields (Domain, Publisher ID, Relationship, Certification ID)
5. Save
6. Repeat for all records

**Step 4: Upload ads.txt to Website**

Choose one of four methods:

**Option A - Connect FTP (Recommended)**
1. Click domain → Settings
2. Click "Connect FTP" button
3. Enter FTP/SFTP hostname, username, password, port, directory
4. Test connection
5. Enable "Auto-Synchronize" for automatic uploads
6. Click "Synchronize Now" to upload immediately

**Option B - WordPress Integration**
1. Install ads.txt Guru WordPress plugin
2. Connect plugin to your account
3. Click "Synchronize Now"

**Option C - Free Hosting**
1. Click domain → Settings
2. Click "Connect Hosting"
3. Copy provided URL (https://adstxt.guru/yourfile.txt)
4. Create redirect: https://yourdomain.com/ads.txt → https://adstxt.guru/yourfile.txt
5. Verify redirect works

**Option D - Manual Download**
1. Click "Download" link
2. Save ads.txt file
3. Upload via your own FTP client or file manager
4. Upload to domain root: https://yourdomain.com/ads.txt
5. Click "Synchronize Now" to verify upload

**Step 5: Verify (Optional)**
- Click domain → Settings → "Verify"
- Download verification file
- Upload to domain root
- Click "Complete Verification"
- Verification badge shown to collaborators

**Done!** Your ads.txt is now managed professionally.

### For Ad Networks

**Step 1: Sign Up**
- Visit https://adstxt.guru/signup/
- Enter email and create password
- Verify email address
- Log in at https://adstxt.guru/my/

**Step 2: Create Group**
- Navigate to "Collaborate" section
- Click "Add Group" button
- Enter group name (e.g., "Your Network Name" or "Your Network - Premium Publishers")
- Group appears in groups list

**Step 3: Add Your ads.txt Records**

Choose one of two methods:

**Option A - Import Existing Template**
1. Click group name
2. Use "Import" form
3. Upload your template ads.txt file
4. System parses and validates records
5. Review any errors and manually fix invalid records

**Option B - Manual Entry**
1. Click group name
2. Use "Add Record" form
3. Add Data Records (standard records with fixed publisher IDs)
4. Add Flex Records (records where publisher ID varies per domain)
5. Save
6. Repeat for all records

**Step 4: Complete Certification (Optional but Recommended)**
1. Click group → Settings
2. Click "Get Certified"
3. Submit business documentation (business name, registration, contact info)
4. Wait for approval (usually 24-48 hours)
5. Trust badge appears next to group name
6. Publishers see trust indicator when you invite them

**Step 5: Collaborate with Publishers**

Choose one of two methods:

**Option A - Invite Publishers (You Have Their Domain)**
1. Click group name → Domains section
2. Use "Invite Domain" form
3. Enter publisher's domain tag (obtained from publisher)
4. Add message explaining who you are
5. Publisher receives invitation and can approve/reject

**Option B - Publishers Request You (They Have Your Group Tag)**
1. Click group → Settings
2. Copy your "Group Tag"
3. Share tag with publishers (via email, onboarding docs, etc.)
4. Publishers enter your tag to request collaboration
5. You receive request and can approve/reject
6. Or enable "Auto-Approve" in settings to skip manual approval

**Step 6: Manage Per-Domain Publisher IDs (Flex Records Only)**
1. Click group → Domains section
2. Find publisher domain
3. Click "Manage Publisher IDs"
4. Enter unique publisher ID for each flex record
5. Save
6. Publisher's ads.txt now includes your flex records with their unique IDs

**Step 7: API Integration (Optional)**
- Get API credentials from Settings
- Read API docs at /support/api/
- Integrate with your publisher onboarding system
- Automate: when new publisher signs up, API creates collaboration invite
- Monitor: API checks ads.txt status across all publishers
- Alert: API notifies you of unauthorized ads.txt changes

**Done!** You now manage ads.txt for your entire publisher portfolio from one dashboard.

---

## Publisher Features

### Managing Multiple Domains

**Use Case**: Publisher with 50 news sites across different verticals

**Solution**: Add all 50 domains to single account, manage from one dashboard

**Benefits**:
- No logging into 50 different servers
- Consistent ads.txt across all properties
- Bulk updates via collaboration groups (Publisher plan feature)
- Version control for all domains
- Single source of truth

### Collaboration with Ad Networks

**Use Case**: Publisher works with 10 ad networks (Google AdX, AppNexus, Rubicon, Index Exchange, etc.)

**Problem**: Each network wants different records, sends updates via email, publisher manually edits ads.txt each time

**Solution**: Invite all 10 networks as collaborators

**How It Works**:
1. Publisher invites network (or network requests publisher)
2. Network controls their own records
3. When network needs to add/update a record, they edit their group
4. Change automatically appears in publisher's ads.txt
5. Publisher syncs to upload updated file (or auto-sync if enabled)

**Benefits**:
- No email coordination
- No manual editing
- No waiting for publisher to make changes
- Faster revenue activation (new ad tech goes live immediately)
- Less errors (networks know their own records)

### WordPress Integration

**Use Case**: Publisher using WordPress CMS

**Installation**:
1. Install "ads.txt Guru" WordPress plugin
2. Connect plugin to ads.txt Guru account
3. Click "Sync" in WordPress admin

**How It Works**:
- Plugin creates /ads.txt endpoint in WordPress
- Content fetched from ads.txt Guru API
- No FTP credentials needed
- Updates automatically when you sync

**Benefits**:
- No FTP access required
- Works with any WordPress hosting (including managed hosts that restrict FTP)
- One-click updates
- WordPress caching doesn't affect ads.txt

### Version Control for Compliance

**Use Case**: Publisher needs to prove ads.txt compliance for fraud investigation

**Solution**: Complete version history with timestamps

**How It Works**:
1. Click domain → version dropdown
2. View all past versions with dates
3. Export any version as proof
4. Revert to previous version if current is problematic

**Use Cases**:
- Compliance audits
- Investigating when unauthorized record appeared
- Undoing accidental deletions
- Rolling back problematic changes

---

## Ad Network Features

### Centralized Publisher Management

**Use Case**: Ad network managing 200 publisher domains

**Problem**: Before ads.txt Guru:
- 200 publisher emails whenever adding new SSP integration
- Wait for 200 publishers to update their ads.txt files
- Many publishers make errors or forget
- Lost revenue during delays

**Solution**: One ads.txt group for all 200 publishers

**How It Works**:
1. Create group with standard ad tech stack
2. Invite all 200 publishers (or they request you)
3. Add new SSP record to group
4. All 200 publishers' ads.txt files update automatically (next time they sync)

**Benefits**:
- One update instead of 200 emails
- Zero errors (you control the records)
- Faster activation (publishers sync within 24 hours with auto-sync)
- Professional operations (shows enterprise-grade infrastructure)

### Flex Records

**Use Case**: Ad network where every publisher has unique Publisher ID in programmatic platform

**Problem**: Can't use standard records because Publisher ID differs per domain

**Old Solution**: Manually manage 200 different publisher records

**New Solution**: Flex Records

**How It Works**:
1. Create flex record template:
   - Domain: adplatform.com
   - Publisher ID: [Varies per domain]
   - Relationship: RESELLER
   - Certification ID: abc123
2. For each publisher domain, set their unique Publisher ID in "Manage Publisher IDs" section
3. When publisher syncs, their ads.txt includes your flex record with THEIR unique ID

**Example**:
- Flex record template: `adplatform.com, [varies], RESELLER, abc123`
- Publisher A's ID: 12345
- Publisher A's ads.txt: `adplatform.com, 12345, RESELLER, abc123`
- Publisher B's ID: 67890
- Publisher B's ads.txt: `adplatform.com, 67890, RESELLER, abc123`

**Benefits**:
- One template instead of 200 unique records
- Easy onboarding: just set publisher ID for new domain
- Bulk operations possible
- Less margin for error

### API Access

**Use Case**: Ad network with custom publisher onboarding system

**Integration Points**:
- **Publisher Signup**: When publisher signs up, API automatically sends collaboration invite
- **Status Monitoring**: Nightly job checks all publishers' ads.txt files are in sync
- **Change Alerts**: API webhook notifies when publisher makes unauthorized ads.txt change
- **Reporting**: Dashboard shows ads.txt compliance across portfolio

**API Capabilities**:
- Create/update/delete collaboration invitations
- Manage group records
- Fetch publisher ads.txt status
- Verify ads.txt content matches expected
- Bulk operations

**Documentation**: https://adstxt.guru/support/api/

### Collaborator Certification

**What It Is**: Verification that ad network is legitimate business

**How It Works**:
1. Submit business documentation (company name, registration number, contact info)
2. ads.txt Guru verifies business exists
3. Trust badge added to group
4. Publishers see "Certified" badge when invited

**Benefits**:
- Increases collaboration acceptance rate
- Reduces fraud (publishers trust certified collaborators)
- Professional credibility
- Differentiates from fraudulent "ad networks"

**Requirements**:
- Business registration documentation
- Verified company email address
- Contact information
- Usually approved within 24-48 hours

---

## Technical Specifications

### ads.txt Specification Compliance

**Standard**: IAB Tech Lab Authorized Digital Sellers v1.1
**Specification**: https://iabtechlab.com/ads-txt/

**Supported Record Types**:
- **Data Records**: Domain, Publisher ID, Relationship (DIRECT/RESELLER), Certification ID
- **Subdomain Variables**: `subdomain=subdomain.example.com`
- **InventoryPartnerDomain Variables**: `inventorypartnerdomain=partner.com`
- **Contact Variables**: `contact=email@example.com` or `contact=https://example.com/contact`
- **Comments**: Lines starting with `#`

**Validation Rules**:
- Domain must be valid format
- Publisher ID required
- Relationship must be DIRECT or RESELLER (case insensitive)
- Certification ID optional, validated against TAG registry if provided
- No duplicate data records (same domain + publisher ID)
- Variables use correct syntax
- Comments properly prefixed with `#`

### Integration Methods

**FTP/SFTP**
- Protocols: FTP, FTPS (FTP over SSL), SFTP (SSH File Transfer Protocol)
- Port: Configurable (default 21 for FTP, 22 for SFTP)
- Authentication: Username + password
- Directory: Configurable root directory
- Upload: Direct file write to /ads.txt
- Verification: Fetches https://yourdomain.com/ads.txt after upload to confirm success

**WordPress**
- Method: REST API integration
- Plugin: Available in WordPress plugin directory
- Authentication: API key
- Update mechanism: Plugin creates virtual /ads.txt endpoint
- Caching: Bypasses WordPress cache for ads.txt requests
- Compatibility: WordPress 5.0+

**Free Hosting**
- URL format: `https://adstxt.guru/[unique-file-id].txt`
- Setup: Create 301 redirect from `https://yourdomain.com/ads.txt` to hosted URL
- Verification: Checks redirect works correctly
- Updates: Instant (no caching)

**API**
- Protocol: RESTful HTTP API
- Authentication: API key + secret
- Format: JSON
- Documentation: https://adstxt.guru/support/api/
- Endpoints: Domains, groups, records, collaboration, validation

### File Format

**Output Format**: Plain text, UTF-8 encoded

**Example Output**:
```
# ads.txt file for example.com
# Generated by ads.txt Guru - https://adstxt.guru

# Direct relationships
google.com, pub-1234567890123456, DIRECT, f08c47fec0942fa0
appnexus.com, 12345, DIRECT, f5ab79cb980f11d1

# Reseller relationships
rubiconproject.com, 12345, RESELLER, 0bfd66d529a55807
indexexchange.com, 123456, RESELLER, 50b1c356f2c5c8fc

# Variables
contact=ads@example.com
subdomain=blog.example.com
```

---

## API Documentation

**Full documentation**: https://adstxt.guru/support/api/

**Overview**:
- RESTful API with JSON responses
- API key + secret authentication
- Available on Ad Network plan ($45/month or $450/year)

**Key Endpoints**:
- `POST /api/v1/domains` - Add domain
- `GET /api/v1/domains/{id}` - Get domain details
- `POST /api/v1/groups/{id}/records` - Add record to group
- `POST /api/v1/collaboration/invite` - Invite publisher
- `GET /api/v1/validation/{domain}` - Validate ads.txt file
- `GET /api/v1/domains/{id}/adstxt` - Get generated ads.txt content

**Use Cases**:
- Automate publisher onboarding
- Monitor ads.txt compliance across portfolio
- Bulk record updates
- Integration with internal dashboards
- Programmatic collaboration invites

---

## Knowledge Base

### Usage Documentation

**Managing Domains (Publishers)**:
- [Manage Section Overview](https://adstxt.guru/support/documentation/manage/): Introduction to domain management
- [Domain: Managing Records](https://adstxt.guru/support/documentation/manage-domain/): Add, edit, import, collaborate
- [Domain: Settings](https://adstxt.guru/support/documentation/manage-domain-settings/): Configure domain options
- [Connect FTP/SFTP](https://adstxt.guru/support/documentation/manage-domain-settings-ftp/): Automatic uploads
- [Connect WordPress](https://adstxt.guru/support/documentation/manage-domain-settings-wordpress/): WordPress integration
- [Free Hosting](https://adstxt.guru/support/documentation/manage-domain-settings-hosting/): ads.txt hosting setup
- [Verify Domain Ownership](https://adstxt.guru/support/documentation/manage-domain-verify/): Verification process

**Managing Groups (Ad Networks)**:
- [Collaborate Section Overview](https://adstxt.guru/support/documentation/collaborate/): Introduction to collaboration
- [Group: Managing Records](https://adstxt.guru/support/documentation/collaborate-group/): Add records, flex records, collaborators
- [Group: Settings](https://adstxt.guru/support/documentation/collaborate-group-settings/): Configure group options
- [Collaborator Certification](https://adstxt.guru/support/documentation/collaborate-certification/): Get certified

**Getting Started Guides**:
- [Getting Started for Publishers](https://adstxt.guru/support/documentation/getting-started-publishers/): Step-by-step publisher guide
- [Getting Started for Ad Networks](https://adstxt.guru/support/documentation/getting-started-ad-networks/): Step-by-step ad network guide

### Frequently Asked Questions

**Billing & Plans**:
- [What payment methods do you accept?](https://adstxt.guru/support/faq/payment-methods/): Credit card, Stripe
- [How do I cancel or change my membership?](https://adstxt.guru/support/faq/change-membership/): Self-service cancellation
- [Money back guarantee](https://adstxt.guru/support/faq/money-back-guarantee/): 30-day refund policy

**Collaboration**:
- [How many publishers/networks can I collaborate with?](https://adstxt.guru/support/faq/collaboration-limits/): Plan-specific limits
- [How are my FTP details stored?](https://adstxt.guru/support/faq/ftp-details/): Encryption and security
- [How does the affiliate program work?](https://adstxt.guru/support/faq/referral-program/): Earn commissions

**Technical**:
- [How do I find my ads.txt records?](https://adstxt.guru/support/faq/finding-adstxt-records/): Get records from ad network
- [Should I include a contact record?](https://adstxt.guru/support/faq/contact-record/): Best practices
- [Can publishers use the API?](https://adstxt.guru/support/faq/publisher-api-access/): API available on Ad Network plan only
- [How many versions do you store?](https://adstxt.guru/support/faq/how-many-versions/): Unlimited version history

---

## Blog & Resources

### Featured Articles

**[The Hidden ROI of ads.txt Management for Ad Networks](https://adstxt.guru/blog/ad-network-roi-professional-adstxt-management/)** (October 2025)
Real case study showing how FAST/CTV agency saves $15,600/year with $450/year tool. Includes detailed ROI calculations, time savings analysis, and risk prevention. Essential reading for ad networks considering professional tools.

**[Under New Management](https://adstxt.guru/blog/under-new-management-commitment-to-publishers-and-ad-networks/)** (August 2025)
Acquisition announcement by Williams Initiatives Ltd. Commitment to responsive support (24-hour response time), regular updates, infrastructure improvements, and new features (app-ads.txt support, enterprise features).

**[What is an ads.txt File?](https://adstxt.guru/blog/what-is-an-ads-txt-file/)** (July 2018)
Introduction to ads.txt: what it is, why it matters, how it prevents ad fraud. Suitable for newcomers to ads.txt.

### Feature Announcements

**[Appending Custom ads.txt Records](https://adstxt.guru/blog/appending-custom-adstxt-records/)** (March 2021)
New feature: append custom records to end of generated file. Useful for legacy systems or special requirements while maintaining collaboration benefits.

**[New Collaboration Process](https://adstxt.guru/blog/new-collaboration-process/)** (February 2021)
Improved collaboration workflow for same-account domains/groups. Faster collaboration between multiple domains under single publisher account.

**[Goodbye Duplicate Records](https://adstxt.guru/blog/goodbye-duplicate-records/)** (November 2020)
Automatic duplicate detection and prevention. System now prevents adding duplicate data records (same domain + publisher ID).

**[Publisher Plan Changes](https://adstxt.guru/blog/publisher-plan-changes-2020/)** (July 2020)
Updated pricing structure. Transition from domain-based limits to unlimited domains with feature-based tiers.

**[ads.txt Comparison Tool](https://adstxt.guru/blog/adstxt-comparison-tool/)** (July 2020)
Free tool launch: compare two ads.txt files to see differences. Useful for validating sync, detecting unauthorized changes, or comparing before/after edits.

**[Collaborator Search & Flex Data Import](https://adstxt.guru/blog/collaborator-search-flex-data-import/)** (August 2018)
Search functionality for finding collaborators. Bulk import of flex record publisher IDs via CSV.

**[Introducing Flex Records](https://adstxt.guru/blog/introducing-flex-records/)** (July 2018)
Flex records announcement: unique publisher IDs per domain from single template. Game-changer for ad networks with varying publisher IDs.

**[ads.txt Hosting, Certification ID Validation & More](https://adstxt.guru/blog/ads-txt-hosting-certification-id-validation-more/)** (July 2018)
Free hosting launch. Certification ID validation against TAG registry. Domain autocomplete improvements.

### Educational Resources

**[The Perfect ads.txt File](https://adstxt.guru/blog/the-perfect-ads-txt-file/)** (July 2018)
Best practices for creating well-formatted, compliant ads.txt files. Tips on organization, comments, and avoiding common errors.

**[Ad Networks: Managing Your Publisher's ads.txt Files](https://adstxt.guru/blog/ad-networks-managing-your-publishers-ads-txt-files/)** (July 2018)
Guide for ad networks: how to use ads.txt Guru to manage publisher portfolio. Walkthrough of collaboration setup, group management, and scaling.

---

## Free Tools

### ads.txt Validator

**URL**: https://adstxt.guru/validator/

**Features**:
- Validate via URL (fetch from live website)
- Validate via file upload
- Validate via copy-paste
- Real-time IAB spec compliance checking
- Error highlighting with line numbers
- Fix suggestions for common errors
- Warning detection (non-critical issues)
- Notice detection (formatting improvements)
- Shows errors, warnings, and notices separately
- Free forever, no signup required

**Use Cases**:
- Check existing ads.txt before importing
- Validate ads.txt after manual editing
- Debug ads.txt errors
- Verify ads.txt compliance for audits
- Educational tool for learning ads.txt format

**Output**:
- Color-coded line-by-line validation
- Error count (must be fixed)
- Warning count (should be reviewed)
- Notice count (optional improvements)
- Detailed error descriptions with tooltips

### ads.txt Comparison Tool

**URL**: https://adstxt.guru/compare/

**Features**:
- Compare two ads.txt files side-by-side
- Detect additions (records in File 2 but not File 1)
- Detect deletions (records in File 1 but not File 2)
- Detect modifications (same domain+ID but different relationship/cert)
- Input via URL, upload, or copy-paste for both files
- Free forever, no signup required

**Use Cases**:
- Verify FTP sync worked correctly (compare local vs. live)
- Detect unauthorized changes (compare current vs. previous version)
- Review collaborator updates (compare before vs. after accepting collaboration)
- Audit changes over time (compare monthly snapshots)

**Output**:
- Side-by-side comparison view
- Highlighted differences (green = added, red = deleted, yellow = modified)
- Summary count of additions/deletions/modifications

### What is ads.txt?

**URL**: https://adstxt.guru/what-is-adstxt/

Educational resource explaining ads.txt standard, its purpose in preventing ad fraud, and how publishers should implement it.

---

## Support

### Support Channels

**Email Support**:
- Email: contact@adstxt.guru
- Priority support available on Publisher and Ad Network plans

**Live Chat**:
- Available on website during business hours (UK time)
- Instant answers for quick questions
- Technical support and troubleshooting

**Knowledge Base**:
- URL: https://adstxt.guru/support/
- 23 detailed documentation articles
- 10 FAQ articles
- Screenshots and step-by-step guides
- Searchable

**API Documentation**:
- URL: https://adstxt.guru/support/api/
- Complete endpoint reference
- Authentication guide
- Code examples
- Rate limit information

### Common Support Topics

**"My ads.txt sync failed"**:
- Check FTP credentials are correct
- Verify FTP server is accessible
- Confirm directory path includes /ads.txt filename
- Check file permissions on server
- Review error message in synchronization log

**"Collaborator invitation not received"**:
- Verify correct domain tag was used
- Check if domain has "Allow Invitations" enabled in settings
- Confirm invitation wasn't accidentally declined
- Check spam folder for email notification

**"Flex record publisher IDs not working"**:
- Verify publisher IDs are set in "Manage Publisher IDs" section
- Confirm flex record uses correct placeholder syntax
- Check that publisher has synchronized after IDs were set
- Review generated ads.txt file for specific domain

**"How do I delete my account?"**:
- Contact support at contact@adstxt.guru
- All data permanently deleted within 30 days
- Canceling subscription != deleting account (account remains, subscription ends)

---

## Company Information

**Company Name**: Williams Initiatives Ltd
**Acquisition Date**: August 2025
**Original Launch**: 2018
**Location**: United Kingdom

**Contact**:
- Email: contact@adstxt.guru
- Website: https://adstxt.guru

**Mission**: Make ads.txt management simple, error-free, and accessible to publishers and ad networks of all sizes.

**Values**:
- Transparency: Clear pricing, no hidden fees
- Support: Responsive customer service
- Innovation: Regular feature updates based on customer feedback
- Security: Encrypted data storage, GDPR compliant

**Commitments (Post-Acquisition)**:
- Responsive support for paid plans
- Regular product improvements
- New features in development: app-ads.txt support, enterprise features
- Pricing stability: No current plans to raise prices

**Customer Base**:
- Publishers and ad networks across multiple industries
- Industries: News, entertainment, e-commerce, FAST/CTV, podcasts, blogs

---

## Use Cases & Customer Stories

### Use Case: Multi-Site Publisher Network

**Customer Profile**: News publisher with 30 local news websites

**Challenge**: Managing 30 identical ads.txt files across different domains, coordinating with 8 ad networks, manual FTP uploads taking 2+ hours/week

**Solution**:
1. Added all 30 domains to Publisher plan
2. Invited 8 ad networks as collaborators
3. Enabled auto-sync for all domains
4. Set up collaboration groups for bulk management

**Results**:
- Time savings: 2 hours/week → 5 minutes/week (96% reduction)
- Error rate: ~2 errors/month → 0 errors (validation prevented mistakes)
- Update speed: 2-3 days coordination → instant (collaborators update themselves)
- Cost: $150/year for unlimited domains vs. $15,600/year in labor

### Use Case: FAST/CTV Ad Sales Agency

**Customer Profile**: Beverly Hills-based ad sales agency, exclusive deals with streaming content networks

**Challenge**:
- Signed multi-year exclusive deal with major media company
- Went from 2 domains → 6+ domains overnight
- Managing ads.txt for premium content + podcast properties
- Complex inventory partner domain structures (100+ lines)
- Client expectations for professional operations

**Solution**:
1. Signed up for Ad Network plan ($450/year)
2. Imported existing complex ads.txt templates
3. Set up FTP auto-sync for all publisher domains
4. Got collaborator certification for trust badge
5. Enabled version control for client compliance reporting

**Results**:
- ROI: 3,467% ($450 cost saves $15,600/year in labor)
- Payback period: 11 days
- Risk mitigation: Version control prevents $10,000+ revenue loss from errors
- Professional credibility: Enterprise tools signal serious operations to major clients
- Upgraded within 48 hours of testing (no sales pressure needed)

### Use Case: Programmatic SSP

**Customer Profile**: Supply-side platform with 500+ publisher integrations

**Challenge**:
- Manual collaboration setup with 500 publishers
- Tracking which publishers have correct ads.txt implementation
- Detecting unauthorized changes
- Onboarding delays (publishers slow to update ads.txt)

**Solution**:
1. Ad Network plan with API access
2. API integration with publisher onboarding system
3. Automatic collaboration invite when publisher signs up
4. Nightly monitoring of publisher ads.txt compliance
5. Alerts for unauthorized changes

**Results**:
- Onboarding time: 5 days → 1 day (4x faster)
- Compliance tracking: Manual spot checks → Automated monitoring
- Error detection: Reactive (publisher reports revenue drop) → Proactive (alert before revenue impact)
- Professional image: Self-service publisher dashboard with one-click ads.txt setup

---

## Technical FAQ

**Q: What happens if my FTP credentials change?**
A: Update credentials in Domain → Settings → Connect FTP. New credentials used for next sync. Old credentials securely deleted.

**Q: Can multiple people manage one account?**
A: Currently single-user accounts. Workaround: Share login credentials (use strong password + 2FA if available). Multi-user accounts on roadmap for enterprise features.

**Q: How do I move domains between accounts?**
A: Contact support. We can transfer domain ownership between accounts while preserving version history.

**Q: What if I want to stop using ads.txt Guru?**
A: Download your ads.txt file anytime. Upload to your server manually. Cancel subscription. No lock-in.

**Q: Do collaborators see my full ads.txt file?**
A: No. Collaborators only see their own records + collaboration status. They don't see records from other collaborators or your direct records.

**Q: Can I have the same domain in multiple accounts?**
A: No. Each domain can only be managed by one account (prevents conflicts). Transfer ownership via support if needed.

**Q: What's the difference between "Synchronize Now" and "Auto-Synchronize"?**
A: "Synchronize Now" = manual one-time sync. "Auto-Synchronize" = automatic sync 1 hour after changes (configurable delay allows batch editing).

**Q: Do you support app-ads.txt?**
A: Roadmap for 2025-2026. Currently ads.txt only. Vote for features at support forum.

**Q: How do I know if a collaborator is trustworthy?**
A: Look for <i class="fa fa-shield-alt"></i> certification badge. Certified collaborators have been verified by ads.txt Guru. Also check collaborator message when they invite you.

**Q: Can I export all my domains at once?**
A: Not currently. Download ads.txt for each domain individually. Bulk export on roadmap.

**Q: What if two collaborators have conflicting records?**
A: All collaborator records are included (no conflicts possible). Each record is unique combination of domain + publisher ID. If truly duplicated, system prevents second collaborator from adding duplicate.

---

**Last Updated**: October 2025
**Documentation Version**: 2.0
**For Latest Updates**: https://adstxt.guru/blog/