# Ads.txt Sellers.json Drift Monitor (`defenestrator/ads-txt-sellers-json-drift-monitor`) Actor Monitor public ads.txt, app-ads.txt, and sellers.json supply-chain files for semantic drift, parser errors, and missing expected partners. - **URL**: https://apify.com/defenestrator/ads-txt-sellers-json-drift-monitor.md - **Developed by:** [Defenestrator](https://apify.com/defenestrator) (community) - **Categories:** Developer tools - **Stats:** 2 total users, 1 monthly users, 100.0% runs succeeded, 0 bookmarks - **User rating**: No ratings yet ## Pricing from $2.00 / 1,000 monitor rows This Actor is paid per event. You are not charged for the Apify platform usage, but only a fixed price for specific events. Learn more: https://docs.apify.com/platform/actors/running/actors-in-store#pay-per-event ## What's an Apify Actor? Actors are a software tools running on the Apify platform, for all kinds of web data extraction and automation use cases. In Batch mode, an Actor accepts a well-defined JSON input, performs an action which can take anything from a few seconds to a few hours, and optionally produces a well-defined JSON output, datasets with results, or files in key-value store. In Standby mode, an Actor provides a web server which can be used as a website, API, or an MCP server. Actors are written with capital "A". ## How to integrate an Actor? If asked about integration, you help developers integrate Actors into their projects. You adapt to their stack and deliver integrations that are safe, well-documented, and production-ready. The best way to integrate Actors is as follows. In JavaScript/TypeScript projects, use official [JavaScript/TypeScript client](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs.md): ```bash npm install apify-client ``` In Python projects, use official [Python client library](https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs.md): ```bash pip install apify-client ``` In shell scripts, use [Apify CLI](https://docs.apify.com/cli/docs.md): ````bash # MacOS / Linux curl -fsSL https://apify.com/install-cli.sh | bash # Windows irm https://apify.com/install-cli.ps1 | iex ```bash In AI frameworks, you might use the [Apify MCP server](https://docs.apify.com/integrations/mcp.md). If your project is in a different language, use the [REST API](https://docs.apify.com/api/v2.md). For usage examples, see the [API](#api) section below. For more details, see Apify documentation as [Markdown index](https://docs.apify.com/llms.txt) and [Markdown full-text](https://docs.apify.com/llms-full.txt). # README ## Ads.txt Sellers.json Drift Monitor Monitor public ads.txt, app-ads.txt, and sellers.json supply-chain files for semantic drift, parser errors, and missing expected partners. This Actor is for publishers, ad-ops teams, SSP/exchange QA, agencies, and supply-path-optimization teams that need repeatable evidence that public programmatic advertising supply-chain files have not changed unexpectedly. It is unofficial and is not affiliated with IAB Tech Lab, Google, OpenX, or any advertising platform. ### What it checks For each target, the Actor can fetch: - `https:///ads.txt` - `https:///app-ads.txt` - `https:///sellers.json` - custom public HTTPS URLs for any of those files It outputs one dataset row per checked file with: - final URL, status, byte count, and raw SHA-256 - parsed ads.txt/app-ads.txt counts: DIRECT, RESELLER, invalid lines, duplicate entries, ad-system domain samples - parsed sellers.json counts: seller count, confidential sellers, seller type counts, seller domain samples - semantic hash for drift monitoring - optional baseline comparison against a previous dataset or inline previous rows - optional checks for expected ad systems or seller IDs - alert, priority, reasons, and recommended action ### Repeat-use loop Run this Actor on a schedule against the same domain list. On later runs, provide the previous run dataset via the `baselineDataset` picker, `baselineDatasetId`, or `baselineRows`. Keep `includeUnchangedRows=true` when chaining datasets so the next baseline remains complete. The Actor compares semantic hashes and flags supply-chain drift without alerting on HTTP-level noise alone. Private selected datasets require the picker's explicit READ grant; baseline reads are bounded by row, byte, and time caps, and OUTPUT reports loaded, effective, ignored, overridden, matched, and unmatched baseline counts. Typical recurring jobs: - publisher verifies authorized sellers after ad-ops changes - agency monitors a client portfolio for changed or missing declared reseller relationships - SSP/exchange QA checks that sellers.json remains parseable and expected seller IDs remain present - supply-path teams watch for sudden DIRECT/RESELLER count changes ### Input example ```json { "targets": [ { "label": "New York Times ads.txt", "domain": "nytimes.com", "fileTypes": ["ads_txt"], "expectedAdSystems": ["google.com", "indexexchange.com"] }, { "label": "OpenX sellers.json", "domain": "openx.com", "fileTypes": ["sellers_json"], "sellersJsonUrl": "https://assets.openx.com/sellers.json" } ], "alertOnAnyChange": true, "includeUnchangedRows": true } ```` Allowed `fileTypes` values are `ads_txt`, `app_ads_txt`, and `sellers_json`. ### Public-source safety Only public HTTP(S) files are supported. Do not submit private, internal, localhost, link-local, intranet, or confidential URLs. The Actor blocks private/reserved IP destinations and connects each request/redirect only to the exact public addresses validated for that hop. ### Limitations - It does not buy ads, inspect bid requests, verify SupplyChain objects in live auctions, or prove contractual authorization. - It parses public ads.txt/app-ads.txt and sellers.json files only. - It validates key sellers.json fields and reports lenient content-type/redirect-policy warnings, but output is not a certification of IAB compliance. - Some very large sellers.json files may require raising `maxResponseBytes`. - Output identifies public declaration changes and QA signals; it does not prove contractual authorization, fraud, certification, or legal/compliance status. Do not use it as the sole basis for blocking inventory, changing spend, or terminating a partner. Verify material findings against official files, platform records, and counterparties. ### Pricing **Buyer-unit price: $2.00 per 1,000 supply-chain file rows written to the default dataset**, plus the `$0.00005` run-start event. This Actor uses Apify Pay Per Event (PPE) pricing: - `apify-actor-start`: `$0.00005` per run start. - `apify-default-dataset-item`: `$0.002` per dataset row (`Monitor row`). - Platform usage is included in the event price; users do not pay a separate platform-usage pass-through. - A dataset row is exactly one emitted target/file-type monitor result. With `includeUnchangedRows=false`, clean unchanged checks are not emitted or item-charged. - The Actor checks PPE charge results, stops before further source work at the dataset-item charge limit, and reports intended versus actually written rows. Use Apify's max total charge setting before starting a run if you want a hard spend cap. # Actor input Schema ## `targets` (type: `array`): Public domains or custom file URLs to monitor. Each target can check ads.txt, app-ads.txt, sellers.json, or a combination. ## `expectedAdSystems` (type: `array`): Optional ad system domains expected in every ads.txt/app-ads.txt row. ## `expectedSellerIds` (type: `array`): Optional sellers.json seller IDs expected in every sellers.json row. ## `baselineDataset` (type: `string`): Optional previous run dataset to compare against. Use the picker so this limited-permission Actor receives READ access to the selected private dataset. ## `baselineDatasetId` (type: `string`): Advanced/API fallback for a previous run dataset ID. Prefer the picker under limited permissions. ## `maxBaselineRows` (type: `integer`): Maximum rows to read from the selected baseline dataset. ## `maxBaselineBytes` (type: `integer`): Hard byte cap when reading a selected previous dataset. ## `baselineRows` (type: `array`): Optional rows from a previous run. Include rowKey/domain/fileType and semanticHash for drift comparison. ## `alertOnAnyChange` (type: `boolean`): If true, a changed semantic hash versus baseline produces alert=true. ## `alertSeverityThreshold` (type: `integer`): Rows with risk score at or above this value produce alert=true. ## `includeUnchangedRows` (type: `boolean`): If false, only alerts/changed/error rows are pushed. OUTPUT.snapshot contains only rows actually written, so keep true when chaining the previous dataset/snapshot as a complete baseline. ## `requireHttps` (type: `boolean`): Require HTTPS for all fetches and redirects. Keep true unless intentionally testing a legacy public source. ## `requestTimeoutSecs` (type: `integer`): Request timeout seconds. ## `maxResponseBytes` (type: `integer`): Hard cap per fetched file. Raise for very large sellers.json files. ## `maxTargets` (type: `integer`): Maximum number of target/fileType combinations to check in one run. ## Actor input object example ```json { "targets": [ { "label": "New York Times ads.txt", "domain": "nytimes.com", "fileTypes": [ "ads_txt" ], "expectedAdSystems": [ "google.com", "indexexchange.com" ] }, { "label": "CNN ads.txt", "domain": "cnn.com", "fileTypes": [ "ads_txt" ] }, { "label": "OpenX sellers.json", "domain": "openx.com", "fileTypes": [ "sellers_json" ], "sellersJsonUrl": "https://assets.openx.com/sellers.json" } ], "expectedAdSystems": [], "expectedSellerIds": [], "maxBaselineRows": 2000, "maxBaselineBytes": 10000000, "baselineRows": [], "alertOnAnyChange": true, "alertSeverityThreshold": 35, "includeUnchangedRows": true, "requireHttps": true, "requestTimeoutSecs": 25, "maxResponseBytes": 3000000, "maxTargets": 50 } ``` # Actor output Schema ## `results` (type: `string`): Dataset rows: one checked ads.txt/app-ads.txt/sellers.json file per target unless includeUnchangedRows=false. ## `summary` (type: `string`): Run-level summary plus OUTPUT.snapshot for scheduled semantic drift comparison. # API You can run this Actor programmatically using our API. Below are code examples in JavaScript, Python, and CLI, as well as the OpenAPI specification and MCP server setup. ## JavaScript example ```javascript import { ApifyClient } from 'apify-client'; // Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token // Replace the '' with your token const client = new ApifyClient({ token: '', }); // Prepare Actor input const input = { "targets": [ { "label": "New York Times ads.txt", "domain": "nytimes.com", "fileTypes": [ "ads_txt" ], "expectedAdSystems": [ "google.com", "indexexchange.com" ] }, { "label": "CNN ads.txt", "domain": "cnn.com", "fileTypes": [ "ads_txt" ] }, { "label": "OpenX sellers.json", "domain": "openx.com", "fileTypes": [ "sellers_json" ], "sellersJsonUrl": "https://assets.openx.com/sellers.json" } ] }; // Run the Actor and wait for it to finish const run = await client.actor("defenestrator/ads-txt-sellers-json-drift-monitor").call(input); // Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if any) console.log('Results from dataset'); console.log(`💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/${run.defaultDatasetId}`); const { items } = await client.dataset(run.defaultDatasetId).listItems(); items.forEach((item) => { console.dir(item); }); // 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/js/docs ``` ## Python example ```python from apify_client import ApifyClient # Initialize the ApifyClient with your Apify API token # Replace '' with your token. client = ApifyClient("") # Prepare the Actor input run_input = { "targets": [ { "label": "New York Times ads.txt", "domain": "nytimes.com", "fileTypes": ["ads_txt"], "expectedAdSystems": [ "google.com", "indexexchange.com", ], }, { "label": "CNN ads.txt", "domain": "cnn.com", "fileTypes": ["ads_txt"], }, { "label": "OpenX sellers.json", "domain": "openx.com", "fileTypes": ["sellers_json"], "sellersJsonUrl": "https://assets.openx.com/sellers.json", }, ] } # Run the Actor and wait for it to finish run = client.actor("defenestrator/ads-txt-sellers-json-drift-monitor").call(run_input=run_input) # Fetch and print Actor results from the run's dataset (if there are any) print("💾 Check your data here: https://console.apify.com/storage/datasets/" + run["defaultDatasetId"]) for item in client.dataset(run["defaultDatasetId"]).iterate_items(): print(item) # 📚 Want to learn more 📖? Go to → https://docs.apify.com/api/client/python/docs/quick-start ``` ## CLI example ```bash echo '{ "targets": [ { "label": "New York Times ads.txt", "domain": "nytimes.com", "fileTypes": [ "ads_txt" ], "expectedAdSystems": [ "google.com", "indexexchange.com" ] }, { "label": "CNN ads.txt", "domain": "cnn.com", "fileTypes": [ "ads_txt" ] }, { "label": "OpenX sellers.json", "domain": "openx.com", "fileTypes": [ "sellers_json" ], "sellersJsonUrl": "https://assets.openx.com/sellers.json" } ] }' | apify call defenestrator/ads-txt-sellers-json-drift-monitor --silent --output-dataset ``` ## MCP server setup ```json { "mcpServers": { "apify": { "command": "npx", "args": [ "mcp-remote", "https://mcp.apify.com/?tools=defenestrator/ads-txt-sellers-json-drift-monitor", "--header", "Authorization: Bearer " ] } } } ``` ## OpenAPI specification ```json { "openapi": "3.0.1", "info": { "title": "Ads.txt Sellers.json Drift Monitor", "description": "Monitor public ads.txt, app-ads.txt, and sellers.json supply-chain files for semantic drift, parser errors, and missing expected partners.", "version": "0.0", "x-build-id": "g12yzinpgsgRovHyA" }, "servers": [ { "url": "https://api.apify.com/v2" } ], "paths": { "/acts/defenestrator~ads-txt-sellers-json-drift-monitor/run-sync-get-dataset-items": { "post": { "operationId": "run-sync-get-dataset-items-defenestrator-ads-txt-sellers-json-drift-monitor", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor, waits for its completion, and returns Actor's dataset items in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK" } } } }, "/acts/defenestrator~ads-txt-sellers-json-drift-monitor/runs": { "post": { "operationId": "runs-sync-defenestrator-ads-txt-sellers-json-drift-monitor", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor and returns information about the initiated run in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK", "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/runsResponseSchema" } } } } } } }, "/acts/defenestrator~ads-txt-sellers-json-drift-monitor/run-sync": { "post": { "operationId": "run-sync-defenestrator-ads-txt-sellers-json-drift-monitor", "x-openai-isConsequential": false, "summary": "Executes an Actor, waits for completion, and returns the OUTPUT from Key-value store in response.", "tags": [ "Run Actor" ], "requestBody": { "required": true, "content": { "application/json": { "schema": { "$ref": "#/components/schemas/inputSchema" } } } }, "parameters": [ { "name": "token", "in": "query", "required": true, "schema": { "type": "string" }, "description": "Enter your Apify token here" } ], "responses": { "200": { "description": "OK" } } } } }, "components": { "schemas": { "inputSchema": { "type": "object", "required": [ "targets" ], "properties": { "targets": { "title": "Publisher / exchange targets", "minItems": 1, "maxItems": 200, "type": "array", "description": "Public domains or custom file URLs to monitor. Each target can check ads.txt, app-ads.txt, sellers.json, or a combination.", "items": { "type": "object", "required": [ "domain" ], "properties": { "label": { "type": "string", "title": "Label", "description": "Human-readable label used in output rows." }, "domain": { "type": "string", "title": "Public domain", "description": "Public publisher or advertising-system domain, for example nytimes.com or openx.com." }, "fileTypes": { "type": "array", "title": "File types", "description": "Allowed values: ads_txt, app_ads_txt, sellers_json. Defaults to ads_txt.", "editor": "json", "minItems": 1, "maxItems": 3, "uniqueItems": true, "items": { "type": "string", "pattern": "^(ads_txt|app_ads_txt|sellers_json)$" } }, "adsTxtUrl": { "type": "string", "title": "Custom ads.txt URL", "description": "Optional custom public HTTPS ads.txt URL. Leave blank to use https:///ads.txt." }, "appAdsTxtUrl": { "type": "string", "title": "Custom app-ads.txt URL", "description": "Optional custom public HTTPS app-ads.txt URL. Leave blank to use https:///app-ads.txt." }, "sellersJsonUrl": { "type": "string", "title": "Custom sellers.json URL", "description": "Optional custom public HTTPS sellers.json URL. Leave blank to use https:///sellers.json." }, "expectedAdSystems": { "type": "array", "title": "Expected ad system domains", "description": "Optional domains that should appear in ads.txt/app-ads.txt for this target.", "editor": "json", "items": { "type": "string" } }, "expectedSellerIds": { "type": "array", "title": "Expected sellers.json seller IDs", "description": "Optional seller IDs that should appear in sellers.json for this target.", "editor": "json", "items": { "type": "string" } } } } }, "expectedAdSystems": { "title": "Global expected ad systems", "type": "array", "description": "Optional ad system domains expected in every ads.txt/app-ads.txt row.", "items": { "type": "string" }, "default": [] }, "expectedSellerIds": { "title": "Global expected seller IDs", "type": "array", "description": "Optional sellers.json seller IDs expected in every sellers.json row.", "items": { "type": "string" }, "default": [] }, "baselineDataset": { "title": "Previous run dataset", "type": "string", "description": "Optional previous run dataset to compare against. Use the picker so this limited-permission Actor receives READ access to the selected private dataset." }, "baselineDatasetId": { "title": "Previous dataset ID (advanced)", "type": "string", "description": "Advanced/API fallback for a previous run dataset ID. Prefer the picker under limited permissions." }, "maxBaselineRows": { "title": "Max baseline rows to read", "minimum": 1, "maximum": 10000, "type": "integer", "description": "Maximum rows to read from the selected baseline dataset.", "default": 2000 }, "maxBaselineBytes": { "title": "Max baseline response bytes", "minimum": 1000000, "maximum": 50000000, "type": "integer", "description": "Hard byte cap when reading a selected previous dataset.", "default": 10000000 }, "baselineRows": { "title": "Inline previous rows / baselines", "maxItems": 10000, "type": "array", "description": "Optional rows from a previous run. Include rowKey/domain/fileType and semanticHash for drift comparison.", "items": { "type": "object" }, "default": [] }, "alertOnAnyChange": { "title": "Alert on any semantic drift", "type": "boolean", "description": "If true, a changed semantic hash versus baseline produces alert=true.", "default": true }, "alertSeverityThreshold": { "title": "Alert severity threshold", "minimum": 1, "maximum": 100, "type": "integer", "description": "Rows with risk score at or above this value produce alert=true.", "default": 35 }, "includeUnchangedRows": { "title": "Include unchanged rows", "type": "boolean", "description": "If false, only alerts/changed/error rows are pushed. OUTPUT.snapshot contains only rows actually written, so keep true when chaining the previous dataset/snapshot as a complete baseline.", "default": true }, "requireHttps": { "title": "Require HTTPS", "type": "boolean", "description": "Require HTTPS for all fetches and redirects. Keep true unless intentionally testing a legacy public source.", "default": true }, "requestTimeoutSecs": { "title": "Request timeout seconds", "minimum": 5, "maximum": 60, "type": "integer", "description": "Request timeout seconds.", "default": 25 }, "maxResponseBytes": { "title": "Max response bytes per file", "minimum": 10000, "maximum": 10000000, "type": "integer", "description": "Hard cap per fetched file. Raise for very large sellers.json files.", "default": 3000000 }, "maxTargets": { "title": "Max expanded file checks", "minimum": 1, "maximum": 200, "type": "integer", "description": "Maximum number of target/fileType combinations to check in one run.", "default": 50 } } }, "runsResponseSchema": { "type": "object", "properties": { "data": { "type": "object", "properties": { "id": { "type": "string" }, "actId": { "type": "string" }, "userId": { "type": "string" }, "startedAt": { "type": "string", "format": "date-time", "example": "2025-01-08T00:00:00.000Z" }, "finishedAt": { "type": "string", "format": "date-time", "example": "2025-01-08T00:00:00.000Z" }, "status": { "type": "string", "example": "READY" }, "meta": { "type": "object", "properties": { "origin": { "type": "string", "example": "API" }, "userAgent": { "type": "string" } } }, "stats": { "type": "object", "properties": { "inputBodyLen": { "type": "integer", "example": 2000 }, "rebootCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "restartCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "resurrectCount": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "computeUnits": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } }, "options": { "type": "object", "properties": { "build": { "type": "string", "example": "latest" }, "timeoutSecs": { "type": "integer", "example": 300 }, "memoryMbytes": { "type": "integer", "example": 1024 }, "diskMbytes": { "type": "integer", "example": 2048 } } }, "buildId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultKeyValueStoreId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultDatasetId": { "type": "string" }, "defaultRequestQueueId": { "type": "string" }, "buildNumber": { "type": "string", "example": "1.0.0" }, "containerUrl": { "type": "string" }, "usage": { "type": "object", "properties": { "ACTOR_COMPUTE_UNITS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 1 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_LISTS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_INTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_EXTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_RESIDENTIAL_TRANSFER_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_SERPS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } }, "usageTotalUsd": { "type": "number", "example": 0.00005 }, "usageUsd": { "type": "object", "properties": { "ACTOR_COMPUTE_UNITS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATASET_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_WRITES": { "type": "number", "example": 0.00005 }, "KEY_VALUE_STORE_LISTS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_READS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "REQUEST_QUEUE_WRITES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_INTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "DATA_TRANSFER_EXTERNAL_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_RESIDENTIAL_TRANSFER_GBYTES": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 }, "PROXY_SERPS": { "type": "integer", "example": 0 } } } } } } } } } } ```