How To Add Ads.txt File In WordPress ?

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Have you recently seen a message in your Google AdSense dashboard saying, “Earnings at risk – You need to fix some ads.txt file issues”?

Don’t panic—you’re not alone.

Many new website owners and bloggers using WordPress face this exact issue. The good news? Fixing it is easier than it sounds.

In this friendly, step-by-step guide, I’ll show you how to add an ads.txt file in WordPress the right way—whether you prefer using a plugin or doing it manually through your hosting panel or FTP.

Let’s start with the basics and gradually move into the action steps!

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🔍 What is an ads.txt File, Really?

Let’s break it down.

ads.txt stands for Authorized Digital Sellers. It’s a small text file that lives in the root directory of your website and tells advertisers (like Google AdSense) which companies are allowed to sell ads on your behalf.

Think of it like a verified guest list for your party. If your name isn’t on the list, you’re not getting in.

The goal? To prevent ad fraud, protect your earnings, and build transparency between publishers (you) and advertisers.

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💼 Why Should You Care About ads.txt?

If you’re running ads on your blog or website—especially from Google AdSense—adding this file is not optional anymore. It’s crucial.

Here’s why:

✅ 1. Prevents Unauthorized Reselling

Without an ads.txt file, unauthorized third parties can claim to represent your site and sell fake inventory to advertisers.

✅ 2. Boosts Trust with Advertisers

When ad buyers see your ads.txt file, they know they’re buying from a verified source. This can increase demand for your ad inventory.

✅ 3. Complies with Ad Networks’ Policies

Google AdSense, AdX, Media.net, and most premium networks now require an ads.txt file for full monetization.

✅ 4. Protects Your Revenue

Failing to include this file—or using it incorrectly—can lead to revenue loss or limited ad impressions.

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📌 Where Should the ads.txt File Go?

Your ads.txt file should be publicly accessible at:

https://yourdomain.com/ads.txt

That’s the root directory of your site. If you visit that link and see your authorized ad network entries, you’ve done it right.

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🧑‍💻 How to Add ads.txt in WordPress – 3 Easy Methods (No Coding Needed!)

Ready to fix it? Let’s explore three ways to add the ads.txt file, step by step.

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🔧 Method 1: Using a Plugin (Perfect for Beginners)

If you’re not comfortable working with website files or hosting panels, this is your safest bet.

✔️ Steps to Follow:

1. Login to WordPress Dashboard
2. Navigate to Plugins > Add New
3. Search for “Ads.txt Manager” or “Advanced Ads”
4. Install and activate the plugin
5. Go to Settings > Ads.txt
6. Paste the ads.txt entries (Google AdSense or others)
7. Click Save

That’s it! Your ads.txt file will now be available at:

https://yourdomain.com/ads.txt

✅ Pro Tip: Don’t forget to check the file on your browser to confirm everything is live.

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💻 Method 2: Manually Upload via cPanel or File Manager

Prefer the direct way? You can upload the file yourself using your hosting provider’s control panel.

✔️ Steps to Follow:

1. Login to your web hosting cPanel
2. Go to File Manager
3. Open your website’s public_html folder (this is the root)
4. Click + File, name it ads.txt
5. Open the file and paste your ad network lines: google.com, pub-0000000000000000, DIRECT, f08c47fec0942fa0
6. Save the file

📌 Make sure the file isn’t saved inside a subfolder like /wp-content. It must be in the root directory.

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📂 Method 3: Upload Using FTP (Advanced Users)

If you’re comfortable using FTP tools like FileZilla, this method gives you full control.

✔️ Steps to Follow:

1. Open FileZilla or any FTP client
2. Login with your FTP credentials
3. Navigate to the public_html directory
4. Right-click > Create new file > Name it ads.txt
5. Right-click > Edit > Paste your ads.txt entries
6. Save and upload the file

Check the file at:
https://yourdomain.com/ads.txt

It should open in your browser and show the content you added.

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🧾 Where to Get Your ads.txt Entries?

Most ad networks will generate the ads.txt code for you. Here’s how to find it for Google AdSense:

1. Log into your AdSense account
2. If there’s an issue, you’ll see: “Earnings at risk – You need to fix some ads.txt file issues”
3. Click on Fix now
4. Copy the code that looks like: google.com, pub-xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, DIRECT, f08c47fec0942fa0

Paste this into your ads.txt file using any of the methods above.

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🧠 Bonus Tips: Managing Multiple Ad Networks in One File

You can list multiple ad partners in a single ads.txt file. Just add each on a new line:

google.com, pub-xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx, DIRECT, f08c47fec0942fa0  
media.net, 123456, DIRECT, 8b29c74e9a5a3c3d  
appnexus.com, 789123, RESELLER, 58d57bba8a63f3df  

Make sure:

• Each line follows the correct format
• No duplicate entries
• “DIRECT” means you own the account; “RESELLER” means a third party manages it on your behalf

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🛠 How to Verify if ads.txt is Working Properly

To test it:

1. Open your browser
2. Go to https://yourdomain.com/ads.txt
3. You should see the content clearly

Alternatively, you can use tools like:

• IAB Ads.txt Validator
• Google Search Console > Coverage Report

If there are issues, they’ll show up here.

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🗓 How Long Does It Take Google to Detect ads.txt?

After uploading the file, Google might take up to 48 hours to verify and update your AdSense dashboard.

If your earnings warning disappears after 1-2 days, you’ve done it right.

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📌 Final Thoughts

Adding an ads.txt file to your WordPress site might seem like a small technical detail, but it plays a huge role in protecting your earnings and ensuring you’re getting the most value from advertisers.

To recap:

• Use a plugin if you’re a beginner
• Use File Manager or FTP if you’re more hands-on
• Keep your file updated whenever you join new networks
• Always verify it’s working via your browser or tools

Remember, in the digital advertising world, trust = revenue. An accurate ads.txt file builds both.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)