Welcome to CreatorAds
This is an advanced Video Advertising Network (Laravel) designed for Rewarded Video Ads & Campaigns.
This documentation will guide you through the process of installing the script on your server, configuring your admin panel, and understanding how your audience will interact with Promoted Content.
Zero-Cron Technology
CreatorAds features an advanced Auto-Cleanup Engine. You do NOT need to configure any Cron Jobs on your server. The system automatically maintains its own database using user heartbeats, keeping the advertising network blazing fast automatically.
Server Requirements
Before installing CreatorAds, please ensure your hosting environment meets the following standard Laravel 12 requirements. Most modern cPanel hostings (Hostinger, Namecheap, Bluehost) support these out of the box.
| Requirement | Status |
|---|---|
| PHP >= 8.1.0 | Required |
| BCMath PHP Extension | Required |
| Ctype PHP Extension | Required |
| JSON PHP Extension | Required |
| Mbstring PHP Extension | Required |
| OpenSSL PHP Extension | Required |
| PDO PHP Extension | Required |
| Tokenizer PHP Extension | Required |
| symlink PHP Function | Required for Setup (Can be disabled after) |
| exec PHP Function | Required for Setup (Can be disabled after) |
Installation Guide
We have built a beautiful, automated installation wizard. You do not need to touch any code or edit any files manually.
Upload the Files & Create Database
Upload the contents of the
Upload folder to your web server (usually your public_html
directory). Then, create a new MySQL Database in your hosting panel and save the
credentials. Then go to your domain.
Launch the Wizard
Visit your domain in your web browser. The system will automatically detect that it is not installed and redirect you to the Welcome screen of the Setup Wizard.
Server Verification & Permissions
The installer will automatically check your server to ensure all required PHP extensions
(like symlink and exec) are enabled and folder permissions are
correct.
Database Configuration
Enter your Envato Purchase Code to verify your license. Then, input the database credentials you created in Step 1. The wizard will securely build your database tables.
Create Admin Account
Set up your primary Admin account credentials. Make sure to use a secure password to protect your command center.
Installation Complete
Congratulations! Your platform is officially installed and the database is configured. You can now log in and launch your network!
Troubleshooting & Common Issues
If you experience any issues during installation or usage, check these common server configurations.
1. Installer Fails or "Link Storage" Error (Symlink Issue)
Symptom: The installer gets stuck on the requirements step, uploaded images are broken, or clicking "Link Storage" in the Admin panel throws a 500 Server Error.
Cause: Shared
hosting providers disable the PHP symlink function by default for security,
which Laravel needs to display uploaded images.
The Fix:
- Log into your hosting control panel (cPanel).
- Go to Select PHP Version -> Options.
- Find the
disable_functionsfield. - Remove the word symlink from the list and save.
2. Database Migrations Won't Run (Exec Issue)
Symptom: The Web Installer cannot build the database tables during Step 4.
Cause: Our
automated installer uses Laravel's Artisan commands in the background. If your server
blocks the exec function, the installer cannot run.
The Fix:
- Go to your cPanel's PHP Options (same place as the symlink fix).
- Find the
disable_functionsfield. - Remove the word exec from the list.
- Note: You can safely put
execback in the disabled list after the installation is complete!
3. Images Uploading to Wrong Folder (Shared Hosting Path Issue)
Symptom: You upload a logo or avatar, but it doesn't show up, and the file ends up hidden outside your main public folder.
Cause:
Laravel expects your web root to be named public. If you are on shared
hosting where your main folder is public_html, Laravel gets confused about
where to save files.
The Fix:
- Open your File Manager and locate your
index.phpfile. - Open it in a text editor and add this line of code right after the `require` statements:
$app->usePublicPath(__DIR__);- This explicitly tells the script that your current folder is the correct public directory.
4. "500 Server Error" Immediately After User Registration
Symptom: When a new user tries to sign up, the page crashes with a white screen or a 500 error.
Cause: The system is trying to send a Welcome/Verification email, but your SMTP settings are empty or incorrect.
The Fix:
- Log into the Admin Panel.
- Navigate to Settings -> Mail Settings.
- Input your valid SMTP credentials (Host, Port, Username, Password).
- Note: If you just want to test without sending emails, edit your
.envfile and setMAIL_MAILER=log.
Admin: Core Overview
The Admin Panel is your command center. From here, you can monitor the real-time health of your platform, manage Promoted Content, and oversee financial operations.
Dashboard
Your high-level overview. View essential daily metrics, total user counts, active Video Ad Campaigns, and a snapshot of recent revenue and site activity.
Live Audience
Tap directly into the real-time heartbeat of your platform. Watch Audience Members connect, view exactly who is active, and monitor active traffic as it happens.
Orders
Your financial hub. Track all user payments, manage premium package purchases, verify manual crypto transaction IDs, and monitor your platform's cash flow.
Video Campaigns
Total content control. Review submitted Promoted Content, approve or reject specific links, and ensure all traffic flowing through your system meets your quality standards.
Admin: Audience Control
Manage your community effortlessly. This section gives you granular control over individual accounts and global membership rules.
Member Settings
Define the global rules for your network. Set default starting loyalty points for new signups, configure referral bonus structures, and establish account limitations.
Audience List
The complete user database. Search for specific Audience Members, view their loyalty point balances, edit their profiles, assign VIP status, or suspend accounts that violate your terms of service.
Admin: System Settings
The core engine configuration. Customize the look, feel, security, and functionality of CreatorAds without ever touching a line of code.
Packages
Create and modify the pricing tiers for your platform. Define how many loyalty points or VIP features users receive when making a purchase.
Themes
Brand your platform. Upload your site logos, favicons, and manage the visual aesthetics of the interface.
SEO Config
Optimize for Google. Set your meta tags, site descriptions, and Open Graph configurations for perfect social media sharing.
Global Settings
The master configuration. Set your Site Name, adjust timezone settings, input Google reCAPTCHA keys, and toggle core features like maintenance mode.
Mail Settings
Ensure reliable delivery. First, customize your email templates for welcomes and password resets. Then, configure your SMTP server credentials to route the outgoing mail.
Engine Health
Monitor your server's performance. Clear application caches with a single click and view detailed system logs to ensure everything runs smoothly.
Ban Options
Protect your network. Blacklist abusive IP addresses instantly to maintain a high-quality environment.
User: Main Operations
The Main Operations hub is where your Audience Members will spend the majority of their time. It is designed to be intuitive, allowing seamless transitions between earning loyalty points and launching Video Ad Campaigns.
Dashboard
Welcome home. The Dashboard gives users an instant snapshot of their available loyalty points, active promotions, and account status. It’s designed to be clean, distraction-free, and hyper-focused on getting them into the action.
View Promoted Content (Earn)
The heartbeat of the network. Audience Members jump into the automated, anti-cheat protected player to view Promoted Content. Every successfully watched video deposits loyalty points directly into their secure vault.
Launch Video Ad Campaign
Time to feed the network. Launching a Video Ad Campaign to a targeted audience is simple. Allocate hard-earned loyalty points and set desired watch-time parameters for Community based Video Ad Sharing.
My Campaigns
Real-time tracking. Users can monitor exactly how many views their Promoted Content has received, pause traffic on the fly, or inject more loyalty points to keep the momentum going.
My Orders
Complete financial transparency. A clean ledger showing every point package purchased or premium subscription activated, ensuring users always know where their investments are going.
User: Wallet & Account
Everything the user needs to manage their account security, build their affiliate network, and fast-track their success by purchasing loyalty points directly.
Buy Points
The ultimate fast-track. For users who want massive delivery without spending time viewing Promoted Content, this secure checkout portal lets them buy loyalty points instantly using their preferred payment methods.
My Referrals
Passive points, unlocked. Users can copy their unique affiliate link here. Every time an invited friend views Promoted Content, the referrer earns a percentage of loyalty points automatically while they sleep.
My Profile
The personal configuration hub. Users can update their passwords, manage their avatars, and ensure their contact details are up to date for crucial system notifications.
My Sessions
Bank-grade account security. Users can see exactly which devices, browsers, and IP addresses are actively logged into their account, allowing them to instantly kill suspicious sessions remotely.
Ready to Launch?
You have completed the documentation. Your Video Advertising Network is fully configured, secured, and ready to deploy Promoted Content.
Support & Contact
Need Assistance?
We are dedicated to ensuring your platform runs flawlessly. If you have followed this documentation and are still experiencing issues, we are here to help.
About the Developer
CreatorAds is engineered with precision, backed by over 12 years of professional software development and digital marketing experience.
We are here for the long haul. As full-time developers, we are actively maintaining this project. We are already working on exciting new features, including brand new front-end themes and expanded payment gateways.
Need Custom Development? Let's TalkCredits & Open Source
We would like to thank the developers of the following brilliant open-source projects that helped make CreatorAds possible.
Changelog
- System initialization and core architecture for Video Advertising Network.
- Automated Anti-Cheat Engine integration for Promoted Content.
- PayPal & Crypto payment gateways active for loyalty points.
- Zero-cron database sweeper deployed.