Advertising Policy & Procedures

Guidelines and requirements for advertising on DevCircle Africa

Last Updated: January 1, 2026

Table of Contents

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.

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.