Direct answer and scope

The five documented gray formats are desktop header, mobile header, sidebar square, sidebar tall, and responsive section sponsor. The recommended creative dimensions are 970×90 for the desktop header, 320×100 for the mobile header, 300×250 for the sidebar square, and 300×600 for the sidebar tall. The supplied configuration does not provide a fixed dimension for the responsive section sponsor.

These are recommended creative sizes for an inquiry and review process. They should be treated as material-preparation guidance, not as a statement that a corresponding unit is currently open, reserved, approved, or scheduled. The inquiry form does not take payment or promise availability.

The scope here is limited to the documented gray advertising formats, their recommended creative dimensions, labeling, review, inventory, and approval distinctions. It does not establish provider services, provider credentials, prices, rankings, editorial placement, or campaign results.

Comparison from the supplied verified evidence
Implemented formatRecommended creative sizeSize is guidancePaid label stateMaterial connection disclosureCreative review stateInventory stateApproval state
Desktop header970×90YesRequired where applicableRequired where applicableSubject to reviewNot promisedNot established by inquiry
Mobile header320×100YesRequired where applicableRequired where applicableSubject to reviewNot promisedNot established by inquiry
Sidebar square300×250YesRequired where applicableRequired where applicableSubject to reviewNot promisedNot established by inquiry
Sidebar tall300×600YesRequired where applicableRequired where applicableSubject to reviewNot promisedNot established by inquiry
Responsive section sponsorNot specifiedYesRequired where applicableRequired where applicableSubject to reviewNot promisedNot established by inquiry

How to use the official evidence

Use the documented format list to identify the type of creative being discussed. Use the four stated pixel dimensions when preparing material for the desktop header, mobile header, sidebar square, or sidebar tall. For a responsive section sponsor, the supplied evidence identifies the format but does not state a fixed creative size; no additional dimension should be inferred from the other formats.

Use the inquiry workflow as a review sequence rather than as a commitment. The supplied configuration states that campaigns remain subject to identity, copy, legal, and inventory review. Those are distinct review subjects, so preparing a file at a recommended size does not resolve the other review subjects.

Use disclosure guidance for the relationship and the relevant claim, not as a substitute for creative specifications. A material connection that may affect an evaluation requires clear and conspicuous disclosure. The word partner alone may be ambiguous, so the paid relationship should be plainly identified when that disclosure applies.

For sponsored or native directory units, the unit should be individually labeled before or above the headline or focal point. A disclosure placed only below the listing or only on an advertising-policy page is insufficient under the supplied guidance.

Qualifications and disclosures should be clear, unambiguous, close to the relevant claim, and not hidden. The supplied guidance identifies price exclusions, sponsored status, affiliate relationships, and other material connections as examples of matters to which this principle applies.

Decision framework

First, identify the implemented format that matches the intended placement and prepare the corresponding recommended size when one is supplied. This step concerns the creative asset only. It does not determine whether inventory exists or whether the campaign will proceed.

Second, separate the commercial arrangement from the disclosure work. The documented arrangement is fixed-term or fixed-impression, while the disclosure guidance addresses paid status and material connections. A campaign may therefore require both an arrangement discussion and clear labeling of the relevant advertising relationship.

Third, separate creative review from inventory review. The publisher configuration says that every campaign remains subject to identity, copy, legal, and inventory review. A correctly sized asset still proceeds through those review categories, and the inquiry itself does not promise availability.

Fourth, keep payment separate from verification and editorial order. The supplied configuration states that payment cannot change verification or editorial order. Accordingly, payment is not a basis for changing those processes.

Finally, treat approval as a separate status that is not created by sending an inquiry. The supplied configuration says that the inquiry form does not take payment or promise availability and that campaigns remain subject to review. Any approval or placement status must therefore be verified through the applicable process rather than inferred from the recommended dimensions.

Limits and what to verify next

The supplied evidence provides four fixed recommended dimensions and identifies a fifth responsive format without stating a fixed size. It does not establish a current opening, a reserved position, a publication date, a campaign result, or a guaranteed duration beyond identifying fixed-term or fixed-impression arrangements. Those matters remain separate from size guidance.

Before proceeding, verify which implemented format is under consideration, whether the proposed creative matches the applicable recommendation, and whether the responsive section sponsor has a separately specified asset requirement. The supplied evidence does not provide an additional responsive dimension.

Verify the campaign's identity, copy, legal, and inventory review status. Also verify the applicable paid or sponsored label and any material-connection disclosure. Disclosures should be clear, unambiguous, close to the relevant claim, and not hidden.

Do not treat payment, submission, or a recommended pixel size as a change to verification or editorial order. The supplied configuration expressly keeps payment separate from those processes.

The disclosure principles supplied here are general federal advertising guidance from the Federal Trade Commission sources listed in the evidence pack. They should not be read as a complete statement of every requirement that may apply to a particular campaign or jurisdiction.

Questions people ask

The documented formats are desktop header, mobile header, sidebar square, sidebar tall, and responsive section sponsor. The supplied publisher configuration describes all five as neutral gray formats.

Recommended sizes are 970×90 for the desktop header, 320×100 for the mobile header, 300×250 for the sidebar square, and 300×600 for the sidebar tall. No fixed dimension is supplied for the responsive section sponsor.

No. A recommended size is submission guidance. The inquiry does not take payment or promise availability, and inventory review remains part of the campaign review process.

No. Submitting creative does not, by itself, establish reservation, approval, or publication. Each campaign remains subject to identity, copy, legal, and inventory review.

Sponsored or native directory units should be individually labeled before or above the headline or focal point. A disclosure only below the listing or only on an advertising-policy page is insufficient under the supplied guidance. The supplied publisher configuration states that payment cannot change verification or editorial order.

Evidence behind this page

Each point below is restricted to what the cited primary source supports. Administrative listing status is not a quality endorsement.

Claim-level evidence used on this page
EvidenceSupported pointScope and limitation
Evidence 1A material connection that may affect an evaluation requires clear and conspicuous disclosure.The word partner alone may be ambiguous; plainly identify the paid relationship.
Evidence 2Sponsored or native directory units should be individually labeled before or above the headline or focal point.A disclosure only below the listing or only on the advertising-policy page is insufficient.
Evidence 3Qualifications and disclosures must be clear, unambiguous, close to the claim, and not hidden.This applies to price exclusions, sponsored status, affiliate relationships, and other material connections.
Evidence 4The advertising page may describe the five implemented gray placements and recommended sizes, fixed-term or fixed-impression inquiry workflow, labeling, and editorial firewall.The inquiry form does not take payment or promise availability; every campaign remains subject to identity, copy, legal, and inventory review.

Questions people ask

Which five gray advertising formats are documented by the directory?

The documented formats are desktop header, mobile header, sidebar square, sidebar tall, and responsive section sponsor.

What recommended creative dimensions correspond to the documented formats?

The desktop header is 970×90, the mobile header is 320×100, the sidebar square is 300×250, and the sidebar tall is 300×600. The supplied configuration does not state a fixed dimension for the responsive section sponsor.

Does a recommended size prove that inventory is available?

No. The size is submission guidance. The inquiry does not promise availability, and inventory review remains part of the campaign review process.

Does submitting creative reserve, approve, or publish a placement?

No. Submission does not by itself establish reservation, approval, or publication. Campaigns remain subject to identity, copy, legal, and inventory review.

Where must the paid-advertisement label appear?

Sponsored or native directory units should be individually labeled before or above the headline or focal point. A disclosure only below the listing or only on an advertising-policy page is insufficient under the supplied guidance.

Can payment change verification or editorial order?

No. The supplied publisher configuration states that payment cannot change verification or editorial order.

Primary sources

  1. Federal Trade Commission Verified 2026-08-25
  2. Federal Trade Commission Verified 2026-08-25
  3. Federal Trade Commission Verified 2026-08-25
  4. New York Funeral Service Directory validated publisher configuration Verified 2026-08-25