Quick Start
New to AdFlow Network Inspector? Here's how to get started in 60 seconds:
- Install the extension from the Chrome Web Store
- Open Chrome DevTools (F12 or right-click → Inspect)
- Click on the "AdFlow" tab in DevTools
- Reload the page you want to debug
- View captured adtech requests with vendor recognition and decoded payloads
Frequently Asked Questions
Why don't I see any requests in the AdFlow panel?
Make sure you:
- Have the AdFlow tab open in DevTools before reloading the page
- Are on a page that actually makes adtech requests (try a news site or publisher site)
- Check that the extension is enabled in Chrome's extension management page
How do I enable AI-powered insights?
AI features are optional and disabled by default. To enable:
- Open the extension settings (gear icon in the AdFlow panel)
- Choose between "Direct Mode" (your own API key) or "Backend Mode" (our proxy)
- If using Direct Mode, enter your Anthropic Claude API key
- Save settings and reload the page
Note: AI features require sending request data to external services. See our
Privacy Policy for details.
Can I use my own API key for AI features?
Yes! AdFlow Network Inspector supports "Direct Mode" where you provide your own Anthropic Claude API key:
- Your API key is stored locally on your device
- Requests go directly from your browser to Anthropic (we never see them)
- You control usage and billing through your Anthropic account
How do I export captured requests?
Click the "Export" button in the AdFlow panel. You can export as:
- JSON: Full request data for programmatic analysis
- PDF: Formatted report for sharing with your team
Why are some vendors not recognized?
AdFlow Network Inspector recognizes 200+ adtech vendors, but new vendors appear regularly. If you see an unrecognized vendor:
- Check the request URL and domain for clues
- Use the search/filter feature to find similar requests
- Consider submitting a request to add the vendor to our taxonomy
Does AdFlow Network Inspector work with Firefox or other browsers?
Currently, AdFlow Network Inspector is only available for Chrome/Chromium-based browsers. Support for other browsers may be added in the future based on demand.
How do I clear captured requests?
Click the "Clear" button in the AdFlow panel. This removes all captured requests from the current session. Requests are also automatically cleared when you close the browser tab.
Can I use AdFlow Network Inspector on localhost or internal sites?
Yes! AdFlow Network Inspector works on any website, including localhost, internal networks, and development environments. Just make sure DevTools is open before the page loads.
Troubleshooting
Extension Not Appearing in DevTools
- Verify the extension is installed and enabled in
chrome://extensions
- Make sure you're using Chrome 109+ (or a Chromium-based browser)
- Try closing and reopening DevTools
- Check if the extension needs to be reloaded (look for a reload icon in chrome://extensions)
Requests Not Being Captured
Important: The AdFlow panel must be open before the page loads for requests to be captured.
- Open DevTools and switch to the AdFlow tab
- Reload the page (F5 or Cmd/Ctrl+R)
- Check that you're on a page that makes adtech requests
- Verify the extension has the necessary permissions (check chrome://extensions)
AI Features Not Working
- Verify AI mode is enabled in settings
- If using Direct Mode, check that your API key is valid and has credits
- Check your browser console for error messages (F12 → Console tab)
- Try switching between Direct Mode and Backend Mode
- Ensure you have an active internet connection
Performance Issues
If the extension is slow or causing page lag:
- Clear old captured requests using the "Clear" button
- Close the AdFlow panel when not actively debugging
- Disable AI features if you're not using them
- Check if you have too many browser extensions running simultaneously
Feature Requests & Bug Reports
We welcome feedback and contributions! Here's how to report issues or suggest features:
Privacy & Security
Your Privacy Matters: AdFlow Network Inspector stores all data locally on your device by default.
AI features are optional and clearly explained. Read our full
Privacy Policy for complete details.
If you have privacy concerns or questions: