How to Add or Update Your ads.txt Files

The following guide explains how to retrieve and update your ads.txt file for your site(s). This process ensures compliance with industry standards and maximizes revenue opportunities by authorizing the correct demand partners to sell your ad inventory.

IMPORTANT: When updating ads.txt in an existing file, it's important not to overwrite any existing lines outside of EmpowerLocal. If you have additional lines in your file outside of the EmpowerLocal lines, be sure to leave those and only add or replace the lines for EmpowerLocal. If you have older lines in your file from EmpowerLocal, you can select all of these and replace them with the newest version when updating. Just be sure not to delete or modify lines that are not associated with EmpowerLocal. 

Step 1: Retrieve Your ads.txt File from EmpowerLocal

1. Log in to the EmpowerLocal Dashboard here.

2. Navigate to the Ad Configuration section on the left menu.

3. You can copy or download the appropriate lines here. You can toggle between WordPress or Javascript depending on your implementation, however the ads.txt lines will be the same for both. 

4. Save the file(s) to your clipboard or computer for the next steps.

Step 2: Add or Update ads.txt Files

For WordPress Users (Using an ads.txt Plugin)

If you are using a WordPress ads.txt plugin, follow these steps:

1. Log in to your WordPress admin panel.

2. Navigate to Plugins and ensure you have an ads.txt plugin installed (e.g., "Ads.txt Manager"). If not, install and activate one.

3. Go to the plugin’s settings (usually found under Settings > Ads.txt or similar).

4. Copy the content from the ads.txt file you downloaded from EmpowerLocal.

5. Paste the content into the plugin’s editor and save your changes.

6. Verify the updates by visiting yourdomain.com/ads.txt to confirm the file reflects the correct content.

For Users of Other CMS Platforms

Many CMS platforms provide tools to manage ads.txt files. Here’s a general guide:

1. Log in to your CMS admin panel.

2. Check if there is a designated module or section for managing ads.txt files. (This might be in the settings or content management section.)

3. Open or upload the ads.txt file, or edit the existing content as needed.

4. Copy the content from the ads.txt file you downloaded from EmpowerLocal.

5. Paste it into the ads.txt section provided by your CMS.

6. Save your changes and verify the update by visiting yourdomain.com/ads.txt.

For Updating ads.txt Files in the Root Folder (Manual Method)

If your CMS does not support ads.txt management, or you prefer the manual method:

1. Access your site’s root directory using an FTP client, cPanel File Manager, or another file management tool.

2. Locate the existing ads.txt file in the root directory. If it does not exist, create a new text file and name it ads.txt.

3. Open the file using a text editor.

4. Copy the content from the ads.txt file you downloaded from EmpowerLocal.

5. Paste it into the file, ensuring no formatting issues (e.g., no extra spaces or blank lines at the top).

6. Save the file and upload it to the root directory of your website.

7. Verify the updates by visiting yourdomain.com/ads.txt to confirm the file reflects the correct content.

Tips and Best Practices

• Keep It Updated: Regularly check the EmpowerLocal Dashboard for updates to your ads.txt file and apply them promptly.

• Verify Changes: Always verify your ads.txt file after making updates to ensure it’s accessible and formatted correctly.

• Seek Assistance: If you encounter any issues, reach out to EmpowerLocal support via help.empowerlocal.com for assistance.