VAST-4.1-blockedadcategories-no-authority
VAST-4.1-blockedadcategories-no-authority
<BlockedAdCategories> should have authority attribute
WarningRequired fieldsIAB VAST 4.1 §2.3VAST 4.1, 4.2, and 4.3
Short answer
<BlockedAdCategories> should include an authority attribute that identifies the taxonomy in use, just like <Category> in 4.0+.
Why this matters in production
This rule is a strong risk signal. Tags with this issue often still parse, but they become brittle across SDKs, SSAI resolvers, and CTV environments. Required-field failures usually stop validation early because the platform cannot determine the basic shape of the ad, the creative metadata, or the mandatory tracking payload. Affected scope: VAST 4.1, 4.2, and 4.3.
How to fix
Add authority="https://iabtechlab.com/IAB_Tech_Lab_Content_Taxonomy" to <BlockedAdCategories>.
Check your VAST tag for
VAST-4.1-blockedadcategories-no-authority and other issues instantly.Validate a tag →Other Required fields rules
VAST-2.0-root-elementRoot element must be <VAST>VAST-2.0-root-version<VAST> must have a version attributeVAST-2.0-root-version-valueVAST version attribute must be a recognised version stringVAST-2.0-root-has-ad-or-error<VAST> must contain at least one <Ad> or <Error>VAST-4.0-wrapper-root-error<VAST> root contains both <Ad> and <Error> elements (invalid per VAST 4.0)VAST-2.0-ad-has-inline-or-wrapperEach <Ad> must contain exactly one <InLine> or <Wrapper>VAST-2.0-inline-adsystem<InLine> must contain <AdSystem>VAST-2.0-inline-adtitle<InLine> must contain <AdTitle>