Ad Blocking Policy

Last Updated: August 2021

This Ad Blocking Policy applies to all Ad Blockers (as defined below) distributed by Publisher in connection with the Agreement. Unless otherwise defined herein, all capitalized terms have the meaning given in the Agreement. For the avoidance of doubt, other Search Provider Policies may also apply to the Implementations governed by this policy. For the further avoidance of doubt, this Ad Blocking Policy does not apply to Ad Tracker Blockers, which are defined in and governed by the Ad Tracker Blocker Policy.

  1. Definitions
    1. Ad Blocker. “Ad Blocker” refers to any feature or functionality incorporated within, or applied in combination with, an Implementation that acts to block Ads.
    2. Ads. “Ads” refers to any form of advertisement, including, without limitation, Paid Search Results, display ads, native ads, and video ads.
    3. Allowlisted Ads. “Allow listed Ads” refers to the subset of Ads that are served by or through Search Provider’s advertising platform (including, for clarity, Ads served on Search Provider’s properties) The list of associated domains for the “Allow listed Ads” is made available to Publisher by Search Provider (currently through the Publisher portal), and may be updated from time-to- time by Search Provider.
    4. CBA Ads. “CBA Ads” refers to the subset of Ads that are compliant with the Coalition for Better Ads’ Better Ads Standards (CBA), which are based on the principles currently detailed at www.betterads.org/standards.
    5. Default-On Ad Blockers. “Default-On Ad Blockers” refers to Ad Blockers that are not Default-Off Ad Blockers.
    6. Default-Off Ad Blockers. “Default-Off Ad Blockers” refers to Ad Blockers that are (1) not enabled by default by Publisher, and (2) affirmatively and knowingly enabled by the user.
  2. Implementation Requirements for All Territories Outside of India.
    1. General Requirement.
      1. In all territories outside of India, Ad Blockers must not block Allow listed Ads.
      2. Publisher  is prohibited from incentivizing or misleading the user into enabling the Ad Blocker.
    2. Requirements – CBA Ads Allowed. Publisher may distribute web browsers, software applications, browser extensions, and other programs that do not block CBA Ads with (1) Default-Off Ad Blockers or (2) Default-On Ad Blockers that provide users with clear, transparent notice and informed consent of all functionalities of the applicable Ad Blocker.
    3. Requirements – CBA Ads Blocked.
      1. Publisher may distribute web browsers that block CBA Ads only with Default-Off Ad Blockers (and not Default-On Ad Blockers).
      2. Publisher may distribute software applications (excluding web browsers), browser extensions, and other programs that block CBA Ads only (1) with Default-Off Ad Blockers (and not Default-On Ad Blockers) and (2) if such software applications, browser extensions, and other programs are owned and operated by an industry-leading provider of anti-virus, security, and privacy-focused offerings in at least two of the following countries: the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Canada.
  3. Implementation Requirements for India
    In India, Ad Blockers must not block Allow listed Ads or CBA Ads.