A sinister underbelly lurks in the shadows: the realm of “made for advertising” (MFA) sites.
These virtual backstreets, adorned with a cacophony of gaudy banners, strategically placed video ads, and a deceptive facade of content, have become a menacing force within the programmatic advertising landscape. This in-depth exploration delves into the intricate mechanics of MFA sites, revealing their fraudulent nature and the pervasive impact they have on the advertising ecosystem.
Let’s make this clear: this is 100% fraud. I saw a discussion on Twitter if they are fraud, and if advertisers ever want to buy on it — and I’d put my reputation on this, that advertisers don’t ever want to show on these sites, and it’s either stupid or lazy media buyers that keep ignoring what is going on.
MFA sites, as their name suggests, are digital domains concocted with one primary goal: generating revenue from advertising placements. To the casual observer, they might appear as cluttered digital wastelands overrun by intrusive ads and questionable content. However, these sites are ingeniously designed to exploit programmatic advertising algorithms and maximize ad placements.
Programmatic algorithms, in their relentless pursuit of cost-effective opportunities, inadvertently fall prey to the allure of MFA sites. These sites use a variety of tactics to appear appealing to these algorithms. Clickbait headlines, interconnected web of sites, and endless slideshows are some of the tactics employed to generate high page views and ad-serving opportunities. While high-quality content and user experience are sacrificed, MFA sites capitalize on the financial incentives provided by ad placements.
MFA sites thrive on the paradox of modern advertising metrics. Driven by the demand for cost-effective solutions, marketers gravitate towards metrics such as cost per viewable impression, often overlooking the authenticity of engagement and impact on business outcomes. This demand for cheap impressions inadvertently spawned the rise of MFA sites, as the industry’s obsession with metrics over substance led to their creation.
The classification of MFA sites as fraudulent is not straightforward. By industry standards, they might not meet the criteria for invalid traffic (IVT), as they do engage real users with real content. However, the engagement is often short-lived and acquired through content recommendation companies rather than organic engagement. This blurs the line between legitimate traffic and potential IVT, creating an ethical gray area that marketers must navigate. Let’s also make it clear: the vast majority, if not all of these sites get their traffic from pop-ups, fraud and other questionable places. This isn’t “quality” traffic. Even remotely.
The extent of the MFA problem is difficult to quantify precisely, but the available data paints a worrisome picture. According to the Association of National Advertisers (ANA), MFAs accounted for a significant portion of audited impressions and ad spend, as much as 10%. The impending demise of third-party cookies compounds the issue, as MFA sites capitalize on outdated or lazy contextual targeting strategies to continue their deceptive practices.
MFA sites do not merely siphon advertising dollars; they corrode brand reputations and compromise user experiences. Users are unwittingly thrust into an environment cluttered with ads masquerading as content, a design that erodes trust and frustrates engagement. Advertisers, by indirectly endorsing these sites, contribute to the dilution of their brand identity, tarnishing the authenticity they strive to project.
As the MFA menace spreads, advertisers must arm themselves with strategies to navigate this treacherous terrain. Supply-path optimization (SPO) emerges as a potential solution, as it enables advertisers to cut through intermediaries and gain a clearer view of ad placements. Furthermore, modern contextual and quality controls can be employed to filter out MFA sites, ensuring that campaigns align with legitimate publishers that prioritize content quality and user engagement.
The battle against MFA sites extends beyond the realm of budgets; it’s a fight for integrity and authenticity in advertising. Advertisers stand at a crossroads where their choices impact not only their campaigns but also the broader industry. By adopting responsible advertising practices and leveraging the tools at their disposal, advertisers can steer clear of the MFA abyss and support publishers that uphold content quality and user satisfaction.
