Advertising Policy & Procedures

Guidelines and requirements for advertising on DevCircle Africa

Last Updated: January 1, 2026
Advertising Policy Overview

Purpose

  • DevCircle Africa welcomes partnerships with brands and businesses that align with our community values
  • Advertising helps us provide high-quality content and services to our members
  • All advertising must be transparent, non-intrusive, and add value to our community
  • We maintain strict standards to ensure user trust and platform integrity

Commitment

  • We are committed to providing a safe and trustworthy advertising environment
  • All advertisers undergo a vetting process to ensure quality and relevance
  • User privacy and experience are our top priorities
  • We maintain clear separation between editorial content and advertising
Advertiser Eligibility Requirements

General Requirements

  • Be a registered business entity with valid legal documentation
  • Have a professional website or social media presence
  • Maintain ethical business practices and positive reputation
  • Comply with all applicable laws and regulations in their jurisdiction
  • No history of fraudulent or deceptive practices

Prohibited Industries

  • Adult content and services
  • Illegal products or services
  • Gambling and betting platforms
  • Unregulated financial services and cryptocurrency schemes
  • Weapons and dangerous materials
  • Products containing false health claims
  • Multi-level marketing (MLM) and pyramid schemes
  • Tobacco and related products

Restricted Industries

  • Pharmaceutical products (requires additional verification)
  • Financial services (must be regulated and licensed)
  • Political campaigns and candidates (requires special approval)
  • Religious or ideological content (must be non-discriminatory)
Content and Creative Standards

Prohibited Content

  • False, misleading, or deceptive claims about products or services
  • Content that demeans, discriminates, or offends individuals or groups
  • Sexually explicit or inappropriate imagery
  • Violent, graphic, or disturbing content
  • Content promoting illegal activities
  • Unlicensed claims about health, safety, or effectiveness
  • Spam-like or repetitive messaging
  • Malware or phishing attempts

Brand Safety

  • Ads must not contain logos or trademarks of other brands without permission
  • Ads must not impersonate individuals or organizations
  • Ads must not direct to phishing or malware websites
  • Ads must clearly identify the advertiser
  • Ads must not interfere with platform functionality

Transparency Requirements

  • All sponsored content must be clearly labeled as 'Sponsored' or 'Advertisement'
  • Disclaimer text must be visible and easy to read
  • Contact information for advertiser must be provided
  • Terms and conditions of any offer must be clearly stated
  • Influencer partnerships must clearly disclose the relationship
Available Advertising Formats

Display Advertising

  • Banner ads on key website sections
  • Sponsored content placements
  • Homepage takeovers (limited availability)
  • Category page sponsorships
  • Sidebar and widget placements

Email Marketing

  • Sponsored email newsletters (max 1 per month per advertiser)
  • Featured offers in community digest
  • Event promotion and sponsorship announcements
  • Requires explicit subscriber opt-in

Event Sponsorship

  • Title, platinum, gold, silver, and bronze sponsorship levels
  • Brand exposure during events and on event pages
  • Speaking or hosting opportunities
  • Exclusive networking and partnership benefits

Content Sponsorship

  • Blog post sponsorships and native advertising
  • Podcast sponsorships and ad reads
  • Video content sponsorships
  • Webinar and workshop sponsorships
Advertising Application & Approval Process

Step 1: Initial Application

  • Complete the advertiser application form with company details
  • Provide business license or registration documentation
  • Submit marketing materials and ad creative
  • Include contact person and approval authority
  • Specify desired advertising format and placement

Step 2: Review and Vetting

  • Our advertising team reviews all applications within 5-7 business days
  • We verify business legitimacy and legal compliance
  • We assess creative content against our standards
  • Additional information may be requested if needed

Step 3: Approval and Onboarding

  • Approved advertisers receive formal acceptance email
  • We provide detailed guidelines and specifications
  • Creative requirements and technical specifications are shared
  • Campaign timeline and placement details are finalized
  • Payment terms and invoicing procedures are established

Step 4: Campaign Execution

  • Ads are reviewed one final time before going live
  • Campaign performance is monitored throughout duration
  • Regular reporting and analytics are provided
  • We maintain contact for any necessary adjustments
Pricing and Payment Terms

Payment Requirements

  • Payment is required upfront for standard campaigns
  • Invoices are due within 30 days of issuance for enterprise agreements
  • We accept bank transfers, credit cards, and authorized payment methods
  • All prices are subject to applicable taxes and fees
  • Currency and payment terms are specified in the advertising agreement

Campaign Duration

  • Minimum campaign duration is typically 2 weeks
  • Campaigns can be extended subject to availability and mutual agreement
  • Early termination may result in loss of prepaid fees
  • Cancellation must be requested in writing with appropriate notice

Refunds and Changes

  • Refunds are only issued for non-delivery due to our error
  • Advertiser-initiated cancellations within 7 days may receive partial refund
  • No refunds after campaign commencement
  • Creative changes may be accommodated at no additional cost if minor
Performance Tracking and Reporting

Available Metrics

  • Impressions and click-through rates (CTR)
  • Engagement metrics and user interactions
  • Geographic and demographic data (anonymized)
  • Conversion tracking (when advertiser provides tracking codes)
  • Traffic driven to advertiser website or campaign landing page

Reporting Schedule

  • Daily reporting available in advertiser dashboard
  • Weekly summary reports are automatically generated
  • Monthly detailed reports with insights and recommendations
  • Final campaign report provided within 7 days of completion

Data Privacy

  • All reporting data complies with GDPR and local privacy laws
  • User data is anonymized and aggregated
  • No personal user information is shared with advertisers
  • Reports are accessible only to authorized advertiser representatives
User Experience and Ad Quality

Non-Intrusive Advertising

  • We limit ad frequency to prevent user fatigue
  • No auto-playing videos or aggressive pop-ups
  • Ads respect user privacy settings and preferences
  • Mobile-optimized ads for seamless experience
  • Ads load quickly without impacting page performance

User Controls

  • Users can easily hide or report inappropriate ads
  • Ad preferences can be adjusted in account settings
  • Users can opt out of personalized advertising
  • Clear feedback mechanisms for ad-related issues
  • Quick response to user complaints about advertisements

Community Protection

  • Ads are monitored continuously for compliance
  • We remove non-compliant ads immediately upon discovery
  • Repeated violations result in advertiser account suspension or termination
  • Community feedback is taken seriously and investigated
  • Regular audits ensure ongoing compliance with standards
Compliance and Enforcement

Monitoring and Audits

  • All active campaigns are continuously monitored
  • Regular audits ensure compliance with advertising standards
  • We investigate user reports about advertisements
  • Automated systems flag potential policy violations
  • Manual review of flagged content by our team

Violation Consequences

  • First violation: Written warning and required changes
  • Second violation: Temporary suspension of advertising account
  • Third violation: Permanent suspension and account termination
  • Serious violations: Immediate account termination without warning
  • Fraudulent activity: Legal action and law enforcement involvement

Appeal Process

  • Advertisers can appeal account decisions within 14 days
  • Appeals must include detailed explanation and corrective action plan
  • Our team reviews appeals within 7 business days
  • Final decision is communicated with clear reasoning
  • Serious violations may not be subject to appeal
Contact & Support

Getting Started

  • Email: advertising@devcircleafrica.com
  • Phone: Available during business hours (9 AM - 5 PM EAT)
  • Contact form available on our website
  • Response time typically within 24-48 business hours
  • Dedicated account manager for enterprise clients

Support Services

  • Onboarding assistance and campaign setup guidance
  • Technical support for ads and tracking implementation
  • Creative review and optimization recommendations
  • Performance analysis and strategy consultation
  • Regular check-ins and account management
Policy Changes and Updates

Updates and Modifications

  • We may update this policy at any time at our discretion
  • Material changes will be communicated to active advertisers via email
  • Continued use of advertising services constitutes acceptance of changes
  • Previous policy versions are available upon request
  • Significant changes will include a transition period of at least 30 days

Feedback

  • We welcome feedback about our advertising policy
  • Suggestions can be submitted to advertising@devcircleafrica.com
  • Your input helps us improve and refine our standards
  • Anonymous feedback is also accepted and appreciated
Need Help with Advertising?

Our advertising team is here to help you create effective campaigns that reach your target audience while maintaining the highest standards of quality and compliance.

Contact Us:

Email: advertising@devcircleafrica.com

Hours: Monday - Friday, 9 AM - 5 PM EAT

Important Disclaimer

This policy is intended to provide general guidelines for advertising on DevCircle Africa. DevCircle Africa reserves the right to refuse, suspend, or terminate any advertisement or advertiser account at its sole discretion. In case of conflicts between this policy and applicable laws, the applicable laws shall prevail. For specific legal advice, please consult with a qualified attorney.