Advertising Policy

1. Overview

Advertising on Circus is in development. When it launches, all advertising will be subject to this policy. Circus reserves the right to reject, remove, or require modification of any advertisement that does not comply with this policy, at its sole discretion.

2. Permitted advertising categories

Circus accepts advertising for products and services that are lawful in the jurisdiction where the ad is served, comply with this policy and our Content Guidelines, and are accurately represented in the creative.

• Consumer goods and retail
• Technology and software
• Food and beverage (excluding alcohol advertising to under-18s)
• Entertainment and media
• Education and e-learning
• Professional services
• Travel and hospitality
• Financial services (subject to additional regulatory compliance)

3. Prohibited advertising categories

The following categories are prohibited from advertising on Circus in any form:

• Illegal products or services in any jurisdiction where the ad is served
• Weapons, firearms, ammunition, or related accessories
• Tobacco, nicotine products, e-cigarettes, and vaping products
• Adult content, escort services, or sexually explicit material
• Predatory financial products, including payday loans with APR over 100%, unlicensed lenders, and pyramid schemes
• Gambling products that are not licensed in the jurisdiction where the ad is served
• Political advertising and electoral campaigning (all forms)
• Counterfeit goods, IP infringement, or unauthorized use of third-party branding
• Cryptocurrency or digital asset investments presented without required financial risk disclosures
• Products or services that make false or unsubstantiated health claims

4. Targeting restrictions

Circus applies the following restrictions to all advertising targeting:

• Circus does not permit targeting of users under 18 years of age for any advertising category
• Behavioral health targeting (targeting users based on inferred medical conditions, disability status, or mental health status) is prohibited
• Political and governmental entity targeting based on political affiliation or voting intent is prohibited
• Religious and spiritual belief targeting is prohibited
• Targeting based on protected characteristics (race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, national origin) is prohibited

5. Children's advertising rules

Where advertising appears in communities or content contexts likely to be viewed by under-18 users, additional restrictions apply:

• Advertising for products prohibited for under-18s (alcohol, gambling, adult content, tobacco, etc.) must not appear in those contexts
• Advertising creative must not feature techniques specifically designed to appeal to children (cartoon characters, games, or similar elements) for age-restricted products
• Data collection for advertising purposes from users under 18 is prohibited

6. Creative standards

All advertising creative must meet the following standards:

• Ads must be clearly and unambiguously identified as advertising to users
• No deceptive formats that disguise an advertisement as organic content, a system notification, or editorial material
• No misleading claims about a product's price, availability, or material characteristics
• No use of countdown timers, false urgency, or pressure tactics designed to manipulate
• All comparative advertising claims must be substantiated
• Creative must not contain hate speech, harassment, or content that would violate the Community Guidelines if posted as organic content

7. Enforcement and contact

Circus reviews all advertising submitted for placement before it is served. Non-compliant ads are rejected with written reasons. Advertisers may appeal a rejection by contacting advertise@circus.app within 14 days.

For advertising policy questions, contact: advertise@circus.app

To report a non-compliant advertisement you've seen on Circus, email safety@circus.app with the subject 'Ad report' and a description or screenshot of the ad.