Pixalate Launched Version 3.0 of Ad Fraud API
The platform released updated tools to help advertisers combat rising invalid traffic within the connected TV space.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Advertising
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Pixalate has introduced Version 3.0 of its Ad Fraud API to provide greater transparency into programmatic advertising. The updated system uses 46 distinct reason codes to identify specific types of invalid traffic.
Why it matters
The release aims to combat sophisticated fraud in the connected TV (CTV) channel, where bad actors increasingly use techniques like server-side ad insertion spoofing. By identifying these threats, the industry can better protect marketing budgets from being wasted on illegitimate traffic.
The new API categorizes 46 types of invalid traffic into 10 distinct groups, aligning with Media Rating Council and Trustworthy Accountability Group standards. It continues to issue 0-to-1 probability scores for over 375,000 CTV bundle IDs.
The players
Pixalate
Founded in 2012, this company specializes in ad fraud protection and privacy compliance for the programmatic advertising industry.
Media Rating Council
This nonprofit industry association manages the accreditation of audience measurement and ad verification services.
Trustworthy Accountability Group
This industry organization works to mitigate criminal activity and increase transparency in the digital advertising supply chain.
The details
The API upgrade includes a new riskTypes field that returns four-digit reason codes to help publishers and advertisers pinpoint fraudulent activity. These codes explicitly target sophisticated tactics such as fraudulent CTV bundle IDs and server-side ad insertion spoofing.
Timeline
The first half of 2026 saw US CTV invalid traffic increase by 32%.
Pixalate announced the launch of Ad Fraud API 3.0 on October 13, 2026.
Other Pixalate platforms will transition to the new reason codes over the next few weeks.
Market Landscape
This release marks a significant move toward standardized fraud detection in the fragmented CTV ecosystem. By aligning with the Media Rating Council's invalid traffic standards, Pixalate is positioning its tools as the primary compliance layer for major advertisers.
Advertisers and publishers can expect more granular data regarding why specific ad requests are flagged as invalid. This improved visibility helps marketing teams better audit their spend and identify which platforms or apps are generating fraudulent engagement.
The takeaway
Advertisers should prioritize platforms that provide transparent fraud reason codes to ensure their campaigns reach genuine audiences. Implementing these diagnostic tools is essential for maintaining ROI in an increasingly complex digital media environment.
Further reading
For more on how companies track industry trends, visit the Advertising section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Manila times.
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