---
title: "Ad Quality Rules"
slug: "ad-quality-rules"
updated: 2026-09-17T19:47:49Z
published: 2026-09-17T19:47:49Z
canonical: "help.tritondigital.com/ad-quality-rules"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.tritondigital.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Ad Quality Rules

You can use **TAP Settings > Publisher > Ad Quality** to block direct ads in selected IAB categories from appearing in targeted streaming, on-demand, or podcast content. These publisher-level rules also affect [programmatic ad selection](/user/docs/prog-ad-quality).

> [!NOTE]
> Also see:
> 
> - [Programmatic Ad Quality Rules](/user/docs/prog-ad-quality)
> - [Forecasting Usage Notes and Tips](/user/docs/forecasting-usage-notes-and-tips#ad-quality-rules-and-forecasting)

An ad quality rule in **TAP Settings > Publisher > Ad Quality** specifies the following:

- IAB categories categories to block.
- Content targeting in which to block the categories.

> [!WARNING]
> Use ad quality rules with caution
> 
> Ad quality rules can affect delivery of advertising campaigns.

For example, to block ads for alcohol from a podcast for children, you can create an ad quality rule that blocks IAB8-5 Cocktails/Beer, IAB8-18 Wine, and IAB8-23 Night Clubs/Bars and targets your podcast.

## How Publisher Ad Quality Rules Are Applied

- When selecting ads for insertion, Triton applies all rules in **TAP Settings > Publisher > Ad Quality** that match the targeted content.
- Publisher-level rules also contribute to TAP Programmatic ad quality rules. For details, see [Progammatic Ad Quality Rules](/user/docs/prog-ad-quality).
- Unlike programmatic ad quality rules, the order of the rules in **TAP Settings > Publisher > Ad Quality** has no effect on how they are applied.

## Publisher Ad Quality Usage Notes

- Publisher ad quality rules are for both direct ad programmatic advertising in TAP. Think of publisher ad quality rules as your baseline ad quality settings.
- Selecting a Tier-1 category does not exclude its subcategories. If you want to exclude the subcategories, you must select them too. Example: Selecting **IAB1 Arts & Entertainment** does not also exclude its subcategories. To also exclude subcategories, you must select them too.
- To apply your ad quality rule to all of your content, leave **Content Targeting** empty.

## Create an Ad Quality Rule

Publisher ad quality rules are created in **TAP Settings**, on the **Publisher > Ad quality** tab. The process of creating [Programmatic ad quality rules](/user/docs/prog-ad-quality) is essentially the same.

1. In [**TAP > TAP Settings > Publisher > Ad Quality**](https://triton-ad-platform.tritondigital.com/settings/ad-quality), select **+ New ad quality rule**.
2. In **New Ad Quality Rule** page, enter a **Name** for the rule.
3. Select the **IAB categories** that you wish to block from advertising on your station/podcast.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/7124b381-0a94-401a-abbd-9df9c4ea5dff/Images/Documentation/image-1684410064795.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-02T01%3A02%3A06Z&se=2026-11-02T02%3A02%3A06Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=F%2Bs%2FZs3tEmm30xKKlXj8TydNXMP1i%2Bp3vY37L4ly0fM%3D)
4. In **Targeting**, select **Create content targeting rule**.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/7124b381-0a94-401a-abbd-9df9c4ea5dff/Images/Documentation/image-1684410092406.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-02T01%3A02%3A06Z&se=2026-11-02T02%3A02%3A06Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=F%2Bs%2FZs3tEmm30xKKlXj8TydNXMP1i%2Bp3vY37L4ly0fM%3D)
5. In **Add content targeting rule**, select the stations/podcasts to target with the ad quality rule. You can select multiple items.

![](https://cdn.document360.io/7124b381-0a94-401a-abbd-9df9c4ea5dff/Images/Documentation/image-1684410111243.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-02T01%3A02%3A06Z&se=2026-11-02T02%3A02%3A06Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=F%2Bs%2FZs3tEmm30xKKlXj8TydNXMP1i%2Bp3vY37L4ly0fM%3D)

![](https://cdn.document360.io/7124b381-0a94-401a-abbd-9df9c4ea5dff/Images/Documentation/image-1684410117960.png?sv=2026-02-06&spr=https&st=2026-11-02T01%3A02%3A06Z&se=2026-11-02T02%3A02%3A06Z&sr=c&sp=r&sig=F%2Bs%2FZs3tEmm30xKKlXj8TydNXMP1i%2Bp3vY37L4ly0fM%3D)
6. Select **Add rules**. Alternatively, select **Add rules and create another content targeting rule** to apply this rule to another station/podcast or set of stations/podcasts.