Preflight docs

Meta

Image ads on Facebook (Feed, Stories, Reels and Reels overlays, Right Column, Marketplace, Search Results, video feeds, In-Stream Video and Business Explore), Instagram (Feed, Stories, Reels and Explore home), Messenger Stories, Threads and Audience Network.

Google Ads

Uploaded image ads in Display and Demand Gen campaigns, the landscape, square and vertical images of responsive display ads, and Demand Gen image ads in square, landscape, portrait and vertical.

ExoClick

Banners, including the 900 × 250 footer banner, native ads, instant messages, in-video banners, push and in-page push notifications, and fullpage interstitials, on mainstream and adult traffic.

TrafficJunky

Display banners and native static ads (640 × 360), on safe-for-work and adult spots.

TrafficStars

Banners, on-pause banners in video players, native ads, classic and in-page push notifications, and full-page interstitials on desktop and mobile, on mainstream and adult traffic.

If your network isn’t listed, email hello@hawtads.com and we’ll add it.

File specs

Preflight checks your file’s type, size, dimensions and aspect ratio against each placement’s published requirements.

Image content

The check looks for nudity, graphic content, fake close, play or download buttons, before-and-after photos and prohibited words in the image. It also checks for any logo or brand name the network requires.

Judgment calls

An image can’t establish someone’s age, prove a health or income claim, or show that you have permission to use a logo or character. The result explains what couldn’t be verified, with borderline cases marked “Needs review”. AI-generated images can’t be identified reliably, so the check looks for a label where the network requires one.

Outside the image

Your landing page isn’t reviewed. Ad copy outside the image is checked only when you send it with the check and the network publishes rules for it, such as Google’s rules for headlines, descriptions and business names. Rules that depend on where the ad runs or how young its audience can be say when they apply, and settle into the verdict when you send your targeting. You’ll also need to confirm age gating, licences, certifications and advertiser verification where required. The result lists applicable requirements without treating them as verified.

Not covered

Video, HTML5 and animated GIFs aren’t supported. Rules available only inside a network’s advertiser account aren’t included in the check.

Preflight’s results are advisory. A “Pass” means no violations were found in the rules checked for that placement. It doesn’t guarantee that the network will approve your ad.