Unfortunately bad ads exist everywhere on the Web and the most frustrating part of trying to replicate what a reader or a blogger is seeing. Some are evident, most are here and gone and playing whack-a-mole. One of the ways in which a blogger and/or a reader can help is to capture these ads using the following methods which assist us in determining which advertising network the bad ad is coming from. Even the ad networks don't know at times since the trick is for a (bad actor) company to change ads once they have been approved to run within an ad network. Screenshots alone are helpful in knowing there is a problem but in programmatic when dealing with hundreds of advertisers within the networks, more detail is absolute necessary. We hope you can help identify the network with this information:
Problem
I’m getting a redirect on my mobile phone (bad ad). How do I capture the ad call to determine which network it is coming from?
Solution
Below you will find step-by-step instructions on how to capture an ad call for a mobile redirect for both Android and iPhones.
Instructions for Android: If you are able to replicate the auto redirect fairly easily, we recommend using the free tPacketCapture app to extract the ad.
1) First, you'll need to download tPacketCapture (free), by visiting Google Play.
2) After it's downloaded, open the app and press "Capture"
3) You may get a warning window that pops up. If you do, press OK.
4) Now go to your blog in the browser where you are seeing the redirect. Try to get the redirect to happen.
NOTE: During this time, do not do anything else, such as check email or go to other websites since all calls are being recorded at this time.
5) After you replicate the redirect, you will want to disconnect from tPacketCapture. To do so, go back to the tPacketCapture app and open the notification bar (by swiping downwards on the phone).
6) In the notification bar, click "Network may be monitored."
7) In the pop-up, click "Settings"
8) The VPN screen will open. Click it.
9) Now click "Disconnect".
10) On your phone where files are stored you will see the saved tPacketCapture file. This is the file you will want to attach to the help@boardingarea.com ticket you will want to open with us.
Steps for iPhone: If you are able to replicate the auto redirect fairly easily, we recommend using the free iPhone app HTTP watch to extract the ad call to send our way. It's an app that acts as a browser and can capture an HWL file.
1) To download HTTPWatch (free), visit HERE or search for HTTPwatch in the App Store.
2) Open the App, which is now a browser logging all calls made on the page. Enter the URL of your blog that is experiencing the redirect.
3) Refresh the page until you are auto redirected.
NOTE: We recommend you clear the log after every 2 refreshes. You can clear the log by clicking on the 3 horizontal lines in the upper right of the screen, which will open a list of menu items. Scroll to Clear Log.
4) Once you are redirected, return to the App and Click the 3 Horizontal Lines in the upper right of the screen to bring up the menu. Immediately click Stop Recording.
5) Click E-Mail and select “HWL” file. An email will generate with the trace. Please email our helpdesk with the attachment. Trace finished.
NOTE: tPacketCapture and HTTPWatch are third-party apps. BoardingArea doesn't officially support them.
Thanks to ad partner OpenX for advice and direction on this advertising challenge.