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How to Test and See Your Ads on Placements (DSP)

Some advertisers need to verify how their ads appear on actual traffic. This guide walks you through safely testing your ads on live traffic.

Content

Overview

Some advertisers need to verify how their ads appear on actual traffic. This guide walks you through safely testing your ads using targeting filters to show ads only to yourself.

 

Prerequisites

VPN Setup (If Testing Geo-Targeted Campaigns)

Why needed: Most campaigns target specific countries/regions - you need to appear as traffic from that location.

Recommended VPNs:

  • Proton VPN
  • NordVPN
  • Other reputable providers (avoid low-quality VPNs flagged as fraudulent)

Setup steps:

  1. Install VPN application on your test device
  2. Set VPN to match your campaign's target country and city
  3. Verify your IP address shows correct location (use IP checker tools)
  4. Confirm IP isn't flagged as fraudulent/proxy

 

Step-by-Step Testing Process

Step 1: Identify Test Target

  1. Go to Analytics Module → BI screen
  2. Review high-traffic sites/app bundles
  3. Choose either:
    • Large volume site/bundle from your data
    • Specific site/app your advertiser requested

Step 2: Prepare Your Test Device

For Mobile App Testing:

  • Download target app on Android device (preferred - provides device ID)
  • Note your device ID

For Web Testing:

  • Use any browser on desktop or mobile
  • Note your IP address

Step 3: Create Test Campaign

Option A: Duplicate existing campaign

  • Duplicate advertiser's campaign
  • Keep it paused during setup

Option B: Create new campaign

  • Use advertiser's creatives
  • Start in paused status

Step 4: Configure Test Campaign Settings

Required configurations:

  1. Add advertiser's targeting filters - copy all targeting from original campaign
  2. Create targeting allowlist in the campaign 'Lists' tab:
    • Mobile app test: Add your device ID to a device IDs allow list + IP address to an IP address allow list.
    • Mobile web test: Add your IP address only
    • Desktop web test: Add your IP address only
  3. Set safety parameters:
    • Total budget: Set a low amount (e.g., $5-10) to prevent overspending
    • Bid price: Set a high CPM to ensure winning (e.g., $10-$50)
  4. Save all settings and keep the campaign paused

Step 5: Wait for Sync (5 Minutes)

⏱️ Wait 5 minutes after saving all filters and lists before activating the campaign

Why: Filters and lists need time to sync across all servers in the system

Step 6: Activate Campaign

  1. Final verification: Double-check all settings are correct
  2. Activate campaign
  3. ⏱️ Wait another 5 minutes after activation before starting your test

Why: Campaign activation needs time to propagate across the bidding system

Step 7: Run the Test (After 5-Minute Wait)

  1. Verify IP location one final time (critical step)
  2. Open the target app or browse to the website
  3. Be patient - the ad may not appear immediately
  4. Refresh or navigate through multiple pages/screens
  5. Take a screenshot when the ad appears

Step 8: Clean Up

Immediately after the test:

  • Pause the test campaign to stop spending
  • Review if the ad displayed correctly
  • Share results with the advertiser if needed

Important Timing Summary

Total wait time before testing: ~10 minutes

  1. Configure campaign with filters and lists → Save and make sure the campaign is paused
  2. ⏱️ Wait 5 minutes (for filters/lists to sync)
  3. Activate campaign
  4. ⏱️ Wait 5 minutes (for activation to propagate)
  5. Begin test

 

Troubleshooting

Ad Not Appearing

Check:

  • 10+ minutes passed since initial setup (5 min after saving + 5 min after activation)
  • IP address still matches the target location
  • Device ID/IP correctly added to allowlist
  • Campaign is active and running (not paused/stopped)
  • The budget hasn't been exhausted
  • The bid price is competitive enough to win

Wrong Ad Showing

Possible causes:

  • Multiple campaigns targeting the same criteria
  • Test campaign bid too low
  • Filters not properly configured
  • Not enough time has passed for sync

IP Address Issues

Solutions:

  • Verify the VPN connection is stable
  • Check IP isn't flagged as proxy/VPN
  • Try a different VPN server in the same city
  • Use a reputable VPN provider

 

Best Practices

Timing and patience:

  • Always wait the full 5 minutes after saving filters/lists before activating the campaign
  • Wait for the full 5 minutes after campaign activation
  • Don't rush the test - syncing takes time

Safety measures:

  • Always use low budgets for test campaigns
  • Pause test campaigns immediately after testing
  • Use device ID + IP allowlists to target only yourself
  • Set high bids to ensure winning without affecting production campaigns

Efficiency tips:

  • Test during high-traffic hours for faster results
  • Choose high-volume placements from BI data
  • Keep test campaigns organized with clear naming
  • Prepare everything in advance to minimize total wait time

Quality assurance:

  • Test on actual target devices/platforms
  • Verify ad displays correctly across different screen sizes
  • Check click-through and landing page functionality

Critical Reminder:

Always pause test campaigns after testing to avoid unnecessary spend.