Anyone can submit an ad, but nothing runs on Dubsea channels until Dubsea LLC ("Dubsea") approves it. These guidelines explain what we accept, what needs extra review, and what we never run. They're part of our Terms of Service.
How review works
- Dubsea reviews every submission's content, story, topic, details, and goals before any work begins.
- We may approve a submission, ask for changes, or decline it. Dubsea has the final say.
- Approving one ad doesn't mean we'll approve similar ads later.
- We may remove published content that breaks these guidelines, a platform's rules, or the law.
- These guidelines apply to every format and every Dubsea channel.
Standards for every ad
- Truthful: claims are accurate and can be backed up, with no fake reviews, testimonials, or endorsements.
- Clear: the advertiser and offer are easy to identify, and prices, terms, and conditions aren't hidden.
- Working links: landing pages load, match the ad, and contain no malware.
- Rights cleared: the advertiser owns or has licensed all music, images, video, and logos, and has permission from anyone shown.
- Lawful: the ad, and what it promotes, complies with the law where it's offered and with each platform's advertising and branded content rules.
- Respectful: no hate, harassment, or content that exploits minors.
- Labeled: every ad carries a paid label, as described in our Terms of Service.
Ads we don't accept
We don't run ads for products, services, or businesses that the law prohibits or that our payment processor, Stripe, prohibits. These include:
- Illegal products or services, including illegal drugs, drug paraphernalia, and substances sold to mimic illegal drugs
- Cannabis and marijuana products, dispensaries, and related businesses, and CBD products above legal THC limits
- Pornography, adult services, and sexually explicit content
- Gambling and betting, including casinos, sportsbooks, lotteries, paid-entry sweepstakes or contests, and fantasy sports with prizes
- Pyramid schemes, multilevel marketing, and get-rich-quick or easy-money offers
- Deceptive offers, including outrageous claims, fake testimonials, unrealistic rewards, and hidden or trial-based billing
- Sales of followers, likes, views, traffic, or other engagement
- Counterfeit goods, and anything that infringes copyrights, trademarks, or other rights
- Fake IDs, fake references, and document falsification
- Debt relief, debt settlement, credit repair, and identity theft protection services
- Cryptocurrency mining or staking, initial coin offerings, and NFT resale
- Timeshares
- Unsafe supplements, or products that make harmful health claims
- Illegal weapons, improperly marked replica firearms, and dangerous materials
- Content that promotes violence or hatred against any person or group
- Any business or person subject to U.S. sanctions
- Any other product, service, or business on Stripe's prohibited businesses list
Ads that need extra review
These may be accepted case by case if they're legal where shown, meet platform rules, and come with any licenses we ask for. Some platforms ban these categories outright, so approved ads may run only on certain Dubsea channels.
- Alcohol, for audiences 21 and older
- Tobacco, vapes, and e-cigarettes, for audiences 21 and older and FDA-authorized products only
- CBD with only negligible THC
- Firearms and other weapons, where legal
- Dating and matchmaking services
- Financial products, including crypto, investing, lending, and insurance
- Health, wellness, weight loss, and supplements
- Telehealth, pharmacies, and medical devices
- Crowdfunding and charitable fundraising
- Political and issue ads (see below)
- Giveaways and contests (see below)
Political and issue ads
Political and issue ads need Dubsea's written approval. The sponsor must provide its legal name, address, and federal tax ID or other verifiable ID, and include every "paid for by" disclaimer the law requires. Under Washington law, Dubsea keeps records of political ads open for public inspection, including the sponsor's identity, the ad, its cost, and the dates it ran.
Giveaways and contests
Giveaways must be free to enter, with no purchase necessary, and must follow the law and each platform's promotion rules. Unless the order says otherwise, the sponsor provides the official rules and prizes and handles winner selection, notification, and taxes. The official rules must state that the platform doesn't sponsor or endorse the giveaway.
Questions
Not sure whether your ad fits? Email info@dubsea.com before you buy.