Compliance Policy
Definitions
Referral Traffic: Traffic generated via a Referral Source, which a user interacts with to visit the domain or site being monetized.
Referral Source: any form of link, creative, advertisement, or content element - such as a banner, text link, native ad, button, or embedded unit - that directs or encourages users to visit a destination parked domain or site. This includes, but is not limited to:
Sponsored links
Display ads
Native ads
Search ads
In-app creatives
Redirect links
Embedded call-to-actions
Social media ads
Content recommendation widgets
A Referral Source may appear on websites, mobile apps, social media platforms, or within third-party content environments, and can be paid (e.g., purchased traffic) or organic (e.g., editorial placement). Regardless of format or placement, if the user’s interaction with the source results in navigation to a parked domain or site, it is considered a Referral Source and must comply with all relevant policies.
Also referred to as: creative, campaign ad, media ad, or media.
Referral Source Publisher Site: The website or app where the Referral Source appears.
Also referred to as: pubsite, monetiser site
Referral Source Publisher: An entity that owns the Referral Source Publisher Site.
Referral Source Provider: A service that connects Referral Sources with Referral Source Publishers (e.g., an ad network).
Also referred to as: traffic source, or ad network
Referral Source Requirements
You may use Referral Sources to drive Referral Traffic to parked domains or sites only if they comply with the following requirements:
Transparency and Labeling
HTTP referrer information must be accurately preserved and indicate the actual Referral Source Publisher Site. In case of an app, if the app cannot be reflected in the HTTP referrer, it must be clearly identified in the HTTP headers.
Tracking domains are not allowed if they obscure or interfere with the preservation of accurate referrer data (e.g., cloaking or redirecting to hide the original source).
Content and Experience
Referral Sources must be relevant to the topic of the destination parked domain or site.
Referral Sources must not mislead users about the experience awaiting them on the parked domain or site.
Referral Sources must not include:
Misleading offers or guarantees (e.g., “Free,” “Guaranteed,” or false claims about product coverage).
Instructing users to click on any links or simulate interaction with search listings.
Examples of violations:
Misrepresenting dental coverage under Medicare. eg:
Suggesting a 100% guaranteed loan provider is misleading if the user is instead taken to a page displaying a list of general advertiser offers or search results, where none of the options actually guarantee a loan. eg:
Instructing users to click on any links or simulate interaction with search listings. Eg:
Prohibited Traffic Practices
No Rewarded Ads, including in-app incentives, gift cards, rebates, or “click to unlock” schemes.
No traffic sourced from SMS, chat, or other mobile messaging services.
No interstitials, full-page takeovers, pop-ups, or pop-unders.
Traffic may not be forwarded from users who were previously incentivized to take a specific action - such as completing a survey, clicking ads to unlock content, or participating in reward-based offers.
Domains must not use Cloudflare proxy at any time.
No malware-sourced traffic or deceptive tactics.
Redirects and Landing Pages
Referral Sources must lead directly to the destination parked domain or site, with no interstitials.
The required ref_keyword parameter in the tracking URL must include the creative headline (i.e., the title of the ad), along with any additional on-screen text and a transcription of any spoken audio narrative included in the creative.
Keywords and Related Links you select - including any terms passed through the optional terms URL parameter - must be relevant to the topic of the destination domain or site.
If the destination parked domain or site includes content, and you select or influence that content in any way, the content must be relevant to the Referral Source.
Advertising Networks and Providers
Only the following Referral Source Providers are pre-approved:
GDN (Google Display Network)
Outbrain
Meta
Taboola
TikTok
If you wish to use a provider not listed, you must first obtain express written permission and prior approval from an authorized representative of our company or through a formal approval system established by someone with such authority.
Referral Source Publisher Site Requirements
Referral Sources may only be used to drive traffic to parked domains or sites if the Referral Source Publisher Site complies with the following content standards.
Specifically, any content that appears on the same page or screen as the Referral Source must not include:
Malware or malicious code
Misleading or deceptive information
Hate speech or content promoting discrimination or intolerance
Illegal material or activity, including but not limited to:
Trademark infringement
Copyright violations
Counterfeit goods
Adult or sexually explicit content
You may not acquire Referral Traffic or utilize Referral Sources from any Referral Source Publisher that encourages, incentivizes, or otherwise attempts to influence users to click on or engage with Referral Sources. All user interaction must be entirely voluntary and unincentivized.
Additionally, no content appearing on the same page as the Referral Source may be designed or positioned in a way that could influence, mislead, or pressure the user’s decision to interact with the Referral Source.
Additional Restrictions
Trademark Usage
Domains must not contain terms infringing on registered trademarks.
Example:
❌
buy-used-bmw.xyz(Not allowed – “BMW” is a trademark)✅
buy-used-cars.xyz(Allowed)
Referral URL Builder
The Referral URL Builder is a tool provided within your Ads.com account to help you generate properly formatted referral URLs for use in your advertising campaigns. While this tool ensures your URLs are structured correctly, it is still your responsibility to ensure full compliance with all Ads.com policies and applicable guidelines.
This tool does not validate the accuracy, legality, or policy compliance of the information you provide. You are responsible for making sure all referral traffic meets Ads.com’s Compliance Policy, Tracking Requirements, and Terms and Conditions.
In addition to all requirements outlined in this policy, you are also required to comply with any other requirements found at: