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The Madison Avenue Field GuideA field guide to marketing & advertising, by Brandon Mina

GlossaryAdtech & ProgrammaticBlocklist

Adtech & Programmatic

Blocklist

A list of domains, apps, channels, or keywords an advertiser excludes so its ads don't appear there.

By Brandon MinaCEO, BrandPilot AIUpdated November 2026

Short answer

A blocklist is a list of domains, apps, channels, or keywords that an advertiser excludes so its ads do not appear there. It is a common brand safety tool for avoiding unsuitable or low-quality environments. Overly broad keyword blocklists, however, can unintentionally exclude legitimate news and publishers, reducing reach.