If you see an alert in your dashboard saying “Earnings at Risk,” it means your ads.txt file is missing or formatted incorrectly. In 2026, advertisers are increasingly choosing to skip bidding on any inventory that isn’t verified via this file.
This guide will help you implement the “Authorized Digital Sellers” (ads.txt) initiative to ensure your ad space is protected and your revenue remains steady.
What is Ads.txt?
The ads.txt file is a simple text document that tells the world which ad networks (like AdSense) are authorized to sell ads on your site. Without it, malicious actors could “spoof” your domain and steal your ad spend.
Step 1: Create and Upload Your Ads.txt File
If you don’t have a file yet, follow these steps to generate one directly from Google.
- Download: Sign into AdSense. In the “Fix Now” alert on your homepage, click the down arrow and select Download.
- Formatting Check: Ensure your file contains the standard AdSense entry:
google.com, pub-XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX, DIRECT, f08c47fec0942fa0 - The Root Domain Rule: You must upload this file to the root directory of your site (e.g.,
https://example.com/ads.txt).- Note: Uploading to a subdirectory (like
example.com/blog/ads.txt) will not work.
- Note: Uploading to a subdirectory (like
Step 2: Implementation for CMS Users (WordPress & Blogger)
If your Content Management System (CMS) doesn’t allow direct file uploads to the root, use these shortcuts:
- WordPress: Install the Ads.txt Manager plugin. Simply paste your AdSense line into the plugin’s settings, and it will automatically host the file at the correct root URL.
- Blogger: Go to Settings > Search Preferences > Monetization. Enable “Custom ads.txt” and paste your code there.
- Permissions Gap (2026 Update): If you use security plugins (like Wordfence), ensure they are not blocking “Googlebot” or “AdsBot-Google” from crawling your root directory, as this is the #1 reason for “Status Not Found” errors.
Step 3: Troubleshooting and Verification
Once uploaded, verify your work manually before waiting for Google’s crawler.
The “DIRECT” vs. “RESELLER” Label: If you own the account, always use DIRECT. Only use RESELLER if you are working through a third-party ad management agency.
Browser Check: Visit yourdomain.com/ads.txt in a private window. If you see your publisher ID clearly on the page, the upload was successful.
Patience is Key: It can take 24 to 72 hours (and sometimes up to a week for low-traffic sites) for the AdSense dashboard to update from “Not Found” to “Authorized.”