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THIS IS BIG: Breitbart, which inspired the original @slpng_giants campaign, has continued collecting ad revenues by defrauding advertisers — including the ones that already blocked them.
It's *probably* how Breitbart has stayed in business all this time. https://branded.substack.com/p/so-thats-how-breitbart-is-still-making
It's *probably* how Breitbart has stayed in business all this time. https://branded.substack.com/p/so-thats-how-breitbart-is-still-making
Starting in November 2016, advertisers began fleeing Breitbart en masse, blocking its domain and account ID from their ad buy.
So Breitbart started using other websites’ IDs - which haven’t been blocked by brands - and started profit-sharing with them.
So Breitbart started using other websites’ IDs - which haven’t been blocked by brands - and started profit-sharing with them.
It’s quite the heist. Brands think they’re safe bc they don’t see Breitbart ad placements on their end. (Bc it’s mislabeled inventory.)
The ad $$ then enters a “dark pool sales house” w/ other super shady sites - like RT[.]com.
The sales house handles the payouts.
The ad $$ then enters a “dark pool sales house” w/ other super shady sites - like RT[.]com.
The sales house handles the payouts.
We know that Breitbart has ties to Russia propaganda efforts. But this is the first time we are able to confirm financial ties to Russia too.
And it’s all happening w/ our ad $$, thru piping that ad industry groups designed to “protect” our spend. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2017/08/24/breitbart-other-alt-right-websites-darlings-russian-propaganda-effort/598258001/
And it’s all happening w/ our ad $$, thru piping that ad industry groups designed to “protect” our spend. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2017/08/24/breitbart-other-alt-right-websites-darlings-russian-propaganda-effort/598258001/
This story was made possible by @thezedwards, who first uncovered the issue and brought it to our attention.
You can find the full technical deep dive on his blog: https://link.medium.com/Tb6q4EV5k8
You can find the full technical deep dive on his blog: https://link.medium.com/Tb6q4EV5k8
UPDATE: Saambaa CEO @mattvoigt has provided us with the following statement:
