Ad Fraud API 3.0 brings Stripe Radar-style risk insights to programmatic ad requests across CTV apps, mobile apps and websites, pairing each flagged request’s risk score with a reason code
LONDON, October 13, 2026 — Pixalate, a global ad fraud and privacy compliance platform, today announced the launch of Version 3.0 of its Ad Fraud API. The updated API returns Invalid Traffic (IVT) reason codes with each flagged request, alongside the 0-to-1 probability score it already provides.
The reason codes cover 46 IVT types from Pixalate’s new IVT taxonomy, including the ad industry’s first reason codes for spoofed server-side ad insertion (SSAI) and fraudulent CTV Bundle IDs.
Ad Fraud API 3.0 is rolling out to every Ad Fraud API customer. Pixalate Analytics, Pre-Bid Blocklist Datafeeds and the Media Ratings Terminal (MRT) move to the new reason codes over the next few weeks.
US CTV invalid traffic rose 32% in the first half of 2026 as fraudsters take advantage of free-form Bundle IDs, CTV device proliferation and spoofed SSAI. To help the ad industry fight fraud in this fast-growing channel, Pixalate created distinct IVT reason codes for CTV:
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GET https://fraud-api.pixalate.com/api/v3/fraud?ip=[IP]&deviceId=[DEVICE_ID] x-api-key: •••• |
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{ "probability": 0.91, "riskTypes": [2202, 2207] } |
Here, 2202 is Data Center Proxy Traffic and 2207 is App Misrepresentation: the request came through a proxy on a data center or hosting IP that inflates counts, passes invalid traffic or breaks protocol and the detected vs. declared Bundle IDs do not match.
Pixalate's 46 IVT reason codes are grouped into 10 categories, aligned with Media Rating Council (MRC) and Trustworthy Accountability Group (TAG) standards. Each is either GIVT, caught by routine filtration such as blocklists and parameter checks, or SIVT, which requires deeper analysis to detect.
Definitions for every reason code are in the Pixalate Knowledge Base.
Ad Fraud API 3.0 is available in the API Explorer. Definitions for every reason code are in the Pixalate Knowledge Base, and customers can contact Pixalate to see how current reports map to the new reason codes.
About Pixalate
Pixalate is a global platform specializing in privacy compliance, ad fraud prevention, and digital ad supply chain data intelligence. Founded in 2012 and recognized by UNICEF as a "key innovator" for children's online privacy, Pixalate is trusted by regulators, data researchers, advertisers, publishers, ad tech platforms, and financial analysts across the Connected TV (CTV), mobile app, and website ecosystems. Pixalate is accredited by the MRC for the detection and filtration of Sophisticated Invalid Traffic (SIVT). pixalate.com
Disclaimer
The content of this press release reflects Pixalate's opinions with respect to factors that Pixalate believes may be useful to the digital media industry. Any data shared is grounded in Pixalate's proprietary technology and analytics, which Pixalate is continuously evaluating and updating. Any references to outside sources should not be construed as endorsements. Pixalate's opinions are just that, opinions, which means that they are neither facts nor guarantees. Pixalate is sharing this data not to impugn the standing or reputation of any entity, person or app, but, instead, to report findings and trends pertaining to programmatic advertising activity in the time period studied. The IVT reason code reflects Pixalate's classification of a request at the time it is made and is not a finding that any app, seller, or publisher engaged in fraud. Statements about future capabilities describe Pixalate's current plans and are not commitments as to timing or availability. Pixalate's full disclaimer can be found here.
Per the MRC, "'Fraud' is not intended to represent fraud as defined in various laws, statutes and ordinances or as conventionally used in U.S. Court or other legal proceedings, but rather a custom definition strictly for advertising measurement purposes." Also per the MRC, "'Invalid Traffic' is defined generally as traffic that does not meet certain ad serving quality or completeness criteria, or otherwise does not represent legitimate ad traffic that should be included in measurement counts. Among the reasons why ad traffic may be deemed invalid is it is a result of non-human traffic (spiders, bots, etc.), or activity designed to produce fraudulent traffic."