1. Introduction
This Ad Policy applies to all ads running on The Knot Worldwide Inc. or its subsidiaries’ (together, “TKWW”) digital properties. We reserve the right to make changes or additions to this policy.
2. TKWW Review
All ads running on our digital properties must meet the standards set in this policy. TKWW reserves the right to review ads and decline an ad if it violates this policy, or if we determine to do so. We are not able to provide a detailed explanation when ads are declined. We also reserve the right to pause or stop the campaign for internal review and discussion with the Advertiser to determine the next steps.
3. Creative Content Standards
Punctuation: Avoid excessive punctuation, such as multiple quotes.
Symbols, Numbers, Letters: Use symbols, emojis, numbers, and letters according to their true meanings.
Grammar, Spelling, Capitalization: Ensure text is in logical sentences with correct spelling and capitalization.
Design: Avoid offensive colors, excessive animation, or any disruptive design elements. TKWW determines what is offensive, excessive or disruptive.
Language and Images:
- Provocative images are not allowed.
- No adult content, nudity, sexual terms, or excessively suggestive images.
- Bathing suits are acceptable unless they reveal inappropriate body parts.
- No offensive, profane, vulgar, obscene, or inappropriate language.
- No defamatory, libelous, slanderous, or unlawful content.
- Ads must clearly display the advertiser's brand and indicate links to third-party sites.
- Ads intentionally misleading, inaccurate or fraudulent are not allowed.
- No feed advertisements or listings.
- No misleading or inaccurate copy.
Borders: Ads with white or nearly white backgrounds must have a visible 1-pixel non-white border.
4. Creative Content Restrictions
The following content is prohibited:
- Tobacco products
- Ammunition or firearms
- Gambling
- Uncertified pharmacies
- Scams or illegal activities
- Promote use or sale of substances, services or products that are illicit, unregulated or cause immediate bodily harm
- Adult friend finders or dating sites with a sexual emphasis
- Webcams or surveillance equipment
- Non-accredited web-based colleges offering degrees
- Divorce-related content
- Grim or morbid content or messages
- Inflammatory religious content
- Political/religious agendas and any known associations with hate, criminal, or terrorist activities
- Political content exploiting political agendas or hot-button issues
- Hate speech or gratuitously offensive content based on race, religion, creed, national origin, ethnicity, gender, marital status, sexual orientation, or language
- Improper use of words associated with religions, subject to TKWW’s discretion
- Inappropriate content, e.g., language, violence, sexual matter or ad hominem attacks; including ads that link to violent, disturbing or sexually explicit content
- Sex-advice related content is subject to TKWW prior approval
- Content that is competitive with those products or services offered by TKWW, subject to TKWW discretion
5. TKWW Branding
Distinct Appearance: Ads should not look like the content or site they appear on, including colors, marks, fonts, or icons associated with TKWW digital properties, unless Ads have been created by TKWW.
Visual Style: Ads should not resemble the visual style of TKWW sites.
No TKWW Branding: Ads must not use TKWW logos, names, trademarks, or site terminology (“TKWW Branding”). Additionally, advertisers’ content, copy, or URL must not include TKWW Branding.
No Emulation: Ads must not imitate TKWW’s style, content, or digital properties features.
Coupons or promo codes:
- Ads must not use TKWW names in coupons or promo codes, unless authorized expressly in writing by TKWW
- TKWW will not be responsible for such coupons or promo codes and Advertiser will release and indemnify TKWW for any claims arising out the
use of such coupons or promo codes
6. Disclosure for Ads and Legality
Disclosures for Advertisements:
- Ads must be clearly marked as advertisement.
- They should not look like editorial content.
- Disclosures must be clear and noticeable, tailored to the digital property, audience, and type of ad.
- Information about a product, service, or offer must be clear to consumers.
Substantiation, Legality, Third Party Rights:
- Advertisers must have proof for any claims made in ads.
- Advertised offers must be honored as stated.
- Ads must be accurate, truthful, and not misleading.
- Ads must follow all relevant laws and regulations and not infringe on third-party rights.
7. Data Collection
Advertisers, agencies, and their vendors cannot collect or use any data from TKWW digital properties without TKWW prior written permission. This includes:
- usage, behavior, and clickstream data
- traffic patterns or analytics related to TKWW services
- context, content, and identifiers of TKWW
TKWW may suspend a campaign for unauthorized data collection or use. This policy overrides any conflicting terms in other documents with advertisers, agencies, or vendors, unless TKWW gives prior written permission.
8. Third Party Ad Servers and Technology Providers
Third Party Ad Servers and Technology Providers must be those identified in the TKWW Ad Specs, or reviewed and approved by TKWW on a campaign by campaign basis.
Except with the express prior written permission of TKWW, any data collected through these providers may NOT be used for:
- development of audience segments
- user profiling
- cookie pools
- retargeting
9. Downloads
No Software Downloads: ads cannot contain or link to sites with software downloads, freeware, or shareware.
Ads cannot facilitate:
- Collection of demographic/usage information without user consent.
- Collection or request of usernames or passwords.
- Proxying usernames or passwords for automating logins to TKWW sites.
- Distribution of software that:
a. operates without user knowledge
b. alters or harms the user's system without permission
c. is hidden within other software
d. downloads automatically without approval
e. presents download prompts without user action
f. violates third-party intellectual property rights
10. Functional or navigational methods are not allowed
- Focus Commands: ads cannot automatically take focus or place the cursor in the ad.
- Fake Close Buttons: close buttons must work as intended.
- Mouse Trapping: users must be able to use the back button and not be trapped on a site.
- Pretending to Know System Details: ads must not claim to know details about a user's computer or system status.
- Malicious Content: ads cannot promote or contain viruses, worms, or any harmful material.
- Broken Page Appearance: ads should not make the webpage look broken or malfunctioning.
- Assumed Knowledge of User's PC: ads must not claim to know how the user's computer works.
What is the US Ad Policy at TKWW?
Can I setup multiple banner creatives to deliver at an even, weighted, or optimized rotation?
Yes, you may setup multiple banner creatives to deliver evenly, on a weighted basis, or optimized for best performance. Unless specifically requested, all banners are automatically setup to deliver on an optimized rotation.
Who do I contact for reporting?
Please contact your Sales Lead for any questions about campaign reporting or performance.
What are The Knot Worldwide's Advertising "specs" and guidelines?
The Knot Worldwide advertising specifications (specs) and guidelines are the approved technical requirements for all forms of online advertisements across the The Knot Worldwide network.
Who do I contact if I have a print advertising question?
Please contact your Sales Lead for any questions relating to The Knot Magazine asset or material deadlines.