# Traffic Sources



# Site vs Link

##### Summary

DAO.AD supports two traffic source types: Site and Link.

Choose Site when you own a website and can install DAO.AD ad code directly on the page.

Choose Link when you want to monetize traffic without direct access to a website, such as traffic from social networks, messengers, redirects, or other external sources.

##### Before You Begin

- Role: Webmaster
- Estimated time: 1 minute

#####   


##### Source Types

****Site****

A Site source is used when ****you own or manage a website****.

You will need to:

- Add your website URL
- Verify website ownership
- Provide traffic statistics
- Install DAO.AD ad code on your website

Typical examples:

- News websites
- Blogs
- Content portals
- Forums
- Entertainment websites

****Link****

<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">A Link source is used when traffic is sent from external platforms and </span>****you can not install code directly on a website****.

You will need to:

- Specify a traffic source name
- Select a category
- Provide traffic statistics

Typical examples:

- Social media traffic
- Messenger traffic
- Redirect traffic
- Purchased traffic
- Arbitrage traffic

****Comparison****

<table id="bkmrk-featuresitelinkwebsi"><colgroup><col></col><col style="width: 122px;"></col><col style="width: 111px;"></col></colgroup><tbody><tr><th>****Feature****

</th><th>****Site****

</th><th>****Link****

</th></tr><tr style="height: 10px;"><td>Website required

</td><td>Yes

</td><td><span style="color: rgb(224, 62, 45);">No</span>

</td></tr><tr><td>Website verification

</td><td>Yes

</td><td><span style="color: rgb(224, 62, 45);">No</span>

</td></tr><tr><td>Traffic statistics required

</td><td>Yes

</td><td>Yes

</td></tr><tr><td>Ad code installation

</td><td>Yes

</td><td><span style="color: rgb(224, 62, 45);">No</span>

</td></tr><tr><td>Suitable for website owners

</td><td>Yes

</td><td><span style="color: rgb(224, 62, 45);">No</span>

</td></tr><tr><td>Suitable for external traffic

</td><td><span style="color: rgb(224, 62, 45);">No</span>

</td><td>Yes

</td></tr></tbody></table>

#####   
When to Choose Site

<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Choose </span>****Site****<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> if:</span>

- You own the website
- You can modify website code
- You want to monetize website visitors directly

#####   
When to Choose Link

<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Choose </span>****Link****<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> if:</span>

- You buy traffic from external sources
- You use social media traffic
- You use redirect or arbitrage traffic
- You do not have direct access to website code

#####   
Related

- [Create a Site Source](https://wiki.dao.ad/books/getting-started-QiA/page/create-a-site-source "Create a Site Source")
- [Create a Link Source](https://wiki.dao.ad/books/getting-started-QiA/page/create-a-link-source "Create a Link Source")
- [Site/App Approval](https://wiki.dao.ad/books/getting-started-QiA/page/siteapp-approval "Site/App Approval")
- [Placement Rules](https://wiki.dao.ad/books/getting-started-QiA/page/placement-rules "Placement Rules")

# Create a Site Source

##### Summary

A Site source allows you to monetize traffic from a website that you own or manage. To create a Site source, you must provide your website URL, verify ownership, select the appropriate category, and submit the source for approval.

##### Before You Begin

- Role: Webmaster
- Required information:  
    \- Website URL  
    \- Website traffic statistics  
    \- Access to website files or source code
- Estimated time: 3-5 minutes

#####   


##### Steps

1. <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Navigate to the </span>****Sources****<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> section and select the desired ad format.</span>
2. Click Create Source.![website_1 (2).png](https://wiki.dao.ad/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/scaled-1680-/website-1-2.png)
3. <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Enter the </span>****Source name****<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> and choose </span>****Site****<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> as the source type.</span>![website_1_v210626.png](https://wiki.dao.ad/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/scaled-1680-/website-1-v210626.png)
4. <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Select a </span>****Landing ID****<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> and specify your </span>****website URL****.
5. Select the appropriate category:  
    \<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">- </span>[Mainstream](https://wiki.dao.ad/books/terms-l-o/page/mainstream "Mainstream")  
    \<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">- </span>[Racy](https://wiki.dao.ad/books/terms-p-t/page/racy "Racy")  
    \<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">- </span>[Adult](https://wiki.dao.ad/books/terms-a-c/page/adult "Adult")
6. Verify website ownership.  
    DAO.AD requires website ownership verification before a source can be approved.  
    You can verify ownership by:  
    \- Uploading the verification file to your website root directory, or  
    \- Adding the provided meta tag to your website header.  
    ![website_4_verif.png](https://wiki.dao.ad/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/scaled-1680-/website-4-verif.png)
    1. Provide traffic statistics  
        Enter your website traffic information.  
        Supported statistics sources:  
        \<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">- </span>[Google Analytics](https://wiki.dao.ad/books/terms-g-k/page/google-analytics "Google Analytics")<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> (provide traffic statistics to the moderation team for </span>[Approval](https://wiki.dao.ad/books/getting-started-QiA/page/siteapp-approval "Approval"))  
        \<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">- LiveInternet (to approve source, share your site visits statistics </span>****Only URL to detailed statistic****)  
        \- Other analytics platforms  
        Provide:  
        \<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">- Daily </span>[Visits](https://wiki.dao.ad/books/terms-u-z/page/visits "Visits")  
        \<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">- Statistics </span>[URL](https://wiki.dao.ad/books/terms-u-z/page/url "URL")  
        \- Statistics access details (if required)  
        ![website_2_stats.png](https://wiki.dao.ad/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/scaled-1680-/website-2-stats.png)
7. Click Save to submit the source for moderation.  
    After submission, the moderation team will verify the provided information and approve or decline the source.

##### Troubleshooting

****Issue:****<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> Website ownership verification fails.</span>

****Solution:****<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> Make sure that:</span>

- The verification file is accessible from your website root directory, or
- The verification meta tag has been added correctly.

After updating the website, try saving the source again.

#####   
Related

- [Site vs Link](https://wiki.dao.ad/books/getting-started-QiA/page/site-vs-link "Site vs Link")
- [Site/App Approval](https://wiki.dao.ad/books/getting-started-QiA/page/siteapp-approval "Site/App Approval")
- [Create a Link Source](https://wiki.dao.ad/books/getting-started-QiA/page/create-a-link-source "Create a Link Source")
- [Traffic Type](https://wiki.dao.ad/books/terms-p-t/page/traffic-type "Traffic Type")

# Create a Link Source

##### Summary

A Link source allows you to monetize traffic without owning a website. It is designed for webmasters who use social media, redirect traffic, arbitrage traffic, or other external traffic sources.

<p class="callout info">****Note:****<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> Link sources do not require website ownership verification or code installation. They are intended for traffic sources that do not have a dedicated website.</span></p>

##### Before You Begin

- Role: Webmaster
- Required information:  
    \- Source name  
    \- Traffic category  
    \- Traffic statistics URL
- Estimated time: 1-2 minutes

#####   


##### Steps

1. <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Navigate to the </span>****Sources****<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> section and select the desired ad format.</span>
2. Click Create Source.![website_1 (2).png](https://wiki.dao.ad/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/scaled-1680-/website-1-2.png)
3. <span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">Enter the </span>****Source name****<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> and choose </span>****Link**** as the source type.  
    [![link_source_v22062026 (1).png](https://wiki.dao.ad/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/scaled-1680-/link-source-v22062026-1.png)](https://wiki.dao.ad/uploads/images/gallery/2026-06/scaled-1680-/link-source-v22062026.png)
4. Choose one of the available landing pages that matches your traffic source.
5. Select the appropriate category:  
    \<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">- </span>[Mainstream](https://wiki.dao.ad/books/terms-l-o/page/mainstream "Mainstream")  
    \<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">- </span>[Racy](https://wiki.dao.ad/books/terms-p-t/page/racy "Racy")  
    \<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">- </span>[Adult](https://wiki.dao.ad/books/terms-a-c/page/adult "Adult")
6. Configure Postback (Optional)  
    If you use a tracker or external system, you can configure a postback URL to receive conversion events.  
    Available postback types:  
    \<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">- </span>[CPA](https://wiki.dao.ad/books/terms-a-c/page/cpa "CPA")  
    \- RevShare  
    \- All Events  
    Enter your Postback URL and select the appropriate postback type.
7. After submission, the moderation team will verify the provided information and approve or decline the source.

##### Troubleshooting

****Issue:****<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> Source was declined during moderation.</span>

****Solution:****<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> Make sure that:</span>

- The selected category matches your traffic.
- The landing page is appropriate for your audience.
- Traffic statistics are available upon request.
- The provided information accurately describes the traffic source.

After updating the website, try saving the source again.

#####   
Related

- [Site vs Link](https://wiki.dao.ad/books/getting-started-QiA/page/site-vs-link "Site vs Link")
- [Site/App Approval](https://wiki.dao.ad/books/getting-started-QiA/page/siteapp-approval "Site/App Approval")
- [Create a Link Source](https://wiki.dao.ad/books/getting-started-QiA/page/create-a-link-source "Create a Link Source")
- [Traffic Type](https://wiki.dao.ad/books/terms-p-t/page/traffic-type "Traffic Type")

# Site/App Approval

##### Summary

Every new traffic source submitted to DAO.AD is reviewed before it becomes active. The moderation team verifies ownership, traffic quality, content compliance, and technical requirements to ensure the source meets platform policies.

<p class="callout info">****Note:****<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> Link sources do not require website ownership verification or code installation. They are intended for traffic sources that do not have a dedicated website.</span></p>

##### Before You Begin

- Role: Webmaster
- Required information:
    - Approved Site or Link source
    - Working website or traffic source
    - Correct traffic category
- Accessible traffic statistics

Estimated time: Usually a few minutes (may take longer depending on workload)

#####   


##### Approval Process

After submitting a new traffic source, DAO.AD performs a moderation review before activation.

During the review, moderators verify:

- Website ownership (for Site sources)
- Website availability
- Traffic quality
- Selected category
- Content compliance
- Technical requirements
- Policy compliance

<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;">If everything meets the requirements, the source status changes to </span>****Approved****<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> and traffic monetization becomes available.</span>

##### Possible Source Statuses

<table id="bkmrk-statusdescriptionpen"><colgroup><col style="width: 114px;"></col><col style="width: 691px;"></col></colgroup><tbody><tr><th>****Status****

</th><th>****Description****

</th></tr><tr style="height: 10px;"><td>Pending

</td><td>The source is waiting for moderation.

</td></tr><tr><td>Approved

</td><td>The source has been approved and is ready for monetization.

</td></tr><tr><td>Rejected

</td><td>The source was declined because it doesn't meet one or more requirements.

</td></tr><tr><td>Disabled

</td><td>The source has been manually disabled or suspended.

</td></tr></tbody></table>

##### ****Common reasons for rejection****

A source may be rejected for several reasons, including:

- Website cannot be accessed.
- Verification failed.
- Incorrect or misleading category.
- Invalid or insufficient traffic statistics.
- Unsupported website content.
- Low-quality or prohibited traffic.
- Violation of DAO.AD policies.

If your source is rejected, review the provided information, correct any issues, and submit it again.

##### How to Speed Up Approval

To reduce moderation time:

- Make sure your website is publicly accessible.
- Verify website ownership correctly.
- Select the appropriate category.
- Provide accurate traffic statistics.
- Submit complete information.
- Ensure your website complies with DAO.AD policies.

##### Troubleshooting

****Issue:****<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> My source is still pending.</span>

****Solution:****<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> Approval usually takes only a few minutes, but may require additional review during periods of high moderation activity.</span>

****Issue:****<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> My source was rejected.</span>

****Solution:****<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"> If you believe the rejection was made by mistake, contact your account manager or DAO.AD Support.</span>

#####   
Related

- [Site vs Link](https://wiki.dao.ad/books/getting-started-QiA/page/site-vs-link "Site vs Link")
- [Create a Site Source](https://wiki.dao.ad/books/getting-started-QiA/page/create-a-site-source "Create a Site Source")
- [Create a Link Source](https://wiki.dao.ad/books/getting-started-QiA/page/create-a-link-source "Create a Link Source")

# Placement Rules

##### <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Summary</span>

<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Follow these placement guidelines to maximize performance while providing a positive user experience. Proper ad placement also helps your traffic pass moderation more quickly.</span>

##### <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Before You Begin</span>

- <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Role: Webmaster</span>
- <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Required information:</span>
    - <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Approved Site Source</span>
    - <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Installed JavaScript Tag</span>
- <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Estimated time: 5 minutes</span>

<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Recommended placement</span>

<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">1. Install DAO.AD tags only on pages that receive real visitor traffic.</span>  
<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Examples:</span>

- <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">News websites</span>
- <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Blogs</span>
- <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Forums</span>
- <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Entertainment websites</span>
- <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Utility websites</span>

<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">2. Avoid placing ads</span>  
<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Do not place advertising tags on:</span>

- <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Login pages</span>
- <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Payment pages</span>
- <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Checkout pages</span>
- <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Error pages</span>
- <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Empty pages</span>
- <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Hidden pages</span>
- <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Pages with no content</span>

<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">3. User experience</span>

<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">For best performance:</span>

- <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Avoid excessive advertising.</span>
- <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Do not cover important page elements.</span>
- <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Ensure ads do not block navigation.</span>
- <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Keep page loading fast.</span>

<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">4. Popunder recommendations</span>

- <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Trigger only after user interaction.</span>
- <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Avoid multiple popups on the same page.</span>
- <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Configure reasonable delay intervals.</span>

<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">5. In-Page Push recommendations</span>

- <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Do not cover menus or buttons.</span>
- <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Place notifications where they do not interfere with reading.</span>
- <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Use moderate animation settings.</span>

<span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">6. Video recommendations</span>

- <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Keep the video player visible.</span>
- <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Avoid overlapping page controls.</span>
- <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Choose an appropriate player size for desktop and mobile devices.</span>

##### <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Troubleshooting</span>

****Issue:**** <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Low CTR or reduced revenue.</span>

****Solutions:**** <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Review your ad placement and verify that advertisements are visible without negatively affecting the visitor experience.</span>

##### <span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Related</span>

- [JavaScript Tag (Push)](https://wiki.dao.ad/books/integration/page/javascript-tag-push "JavaScript Tag (Push)")
- [JavaScript Tag (Inpage Push)](https://wiki.dao.ad/books/integration/page/javascript-tag-inpage-push "JavaScript Tag (Inpage Push)")
- [JavaScript Tag (Video)](https://wiki.dao.ad/books/integration/page/javascript-tag-video "JavaScript Tag (Video)")
- [Site/App Approval](https://wiki.dao.ad/books/getting-started-QiA/page/siteapp-approval "Site/App Approval")

# Traffic Quality

##### Summary

This page explains how DAO.AD evaluates traffic quality and which types of traffic are not allowed.

##### Before You Begin

- Role: Webmaster
- Required information:
    - Active DAO.AD account
- Estimated time: 2 minutes

##### How DAO.AD Checks Traffic Quality

****DAO.AD uses multiple methods to monitor traffic quality, including:****

- proprietary anti-fraud systems;
- additional traffic analysis services;
- automated checks;
- manual reviews.

Traffic quality is continuously monitored to ensure that traffic meets DAO.AD requirements and advertiser standards.

##### Prohibited Traffic

****The following types of traffic are not accepted:****

- Bot traffic - traffic generated by bots or automated systems.
- Incentivized traffic - traffic generated by offering users rewards or other incentives for performing actions.
- Artificial clicks - artificially generated clicks that do not represent genuine user activity.
- Fraudulent traffic - any traffic generated through fraudulent or deceptive methods.
- VPN and Proxy traffic - DAO.AD does not accept traffic generated through VPNs or proxies, as it may be rejected by advertisers.
- Any traffic that violates the DAO.AD platform rules.

##### Why Traffic Quality Matters

High-quality traffic is important for maintaining stable monetization and advertiser demand.

****Traffic quality can affect:****

- advertising demand;
- CPM and CPC rates;
- overall revenue;
- the availability of advertising campaigns.

Maintaining genuine user traffic helps ensure better monetization performance.

##### Account Restrictions

****Accounts may be restricted or blocked in cases of:****

- prohibited traffic;
- violations of DAO.AD platform rules;
- attempts to manipulate traffic or advertising activity;
- systematic fraud.

If suspicious or fraudulent activity is detected, DAO.AD may take action against the traffic source or account.

##### What Should I Do If My Traffic Quality Is Questioned?

****If you believe your traffic has been incorrectly classified or you need clarification about traffic quality:****

- Review your traffic sources and traffic-generation methods.
- Make sure your traffic does not include prohibited or artificial sources.
- Check whether VPN or Proxy traffic is being used.
- Contact your personal manager or DAO.AD Support for assistance.

##### Related

- [Site/App Approval](https://wiki.dao.ad/books/getting-started-QiA/page/siteapp-approval "Site/App Approval")
- [Placement Rules](https://wiki.dao.ad/books/getting-started-QiA/page/placement-rules "Placement Rules")
- [Traffic Statistics](https://wiki.dao.ad/books/statistics-optimization/page/traffic-statistics "Traffic Statistics")
- [Create a Site Source](https://wiki.dao.ad/books/getting-started-QiA/page/create-a-site-source "Create a Site Source")
- [Create a Link Source](https://wiki.dao.ad/books/getting-started-QiA/page/create-a-link-source "Create a Link Source")
- [Terms of Use](https://dao.ad/terms-use "Terms of Use")

#####