diff --git a/public-v2/index.php b/public-v2/index.php
index 756794c..300fb35 100644
--- a/public-v2/index.php
+++ b/public-v2/index.php
@@ -108,10 +108,11 @@ $clientId = $config['sso']['client_id'] ?? '';
                     <div class="separator">_</div>
                     <div class="structure-item" style="border-color: var(--success);">
                         <span class="label" style="color: var(--success);">TRACKING ID</span>
-                        <span class="chars">6 chars*</span>
+                        <span class="chars">6 chars</span>
                     </div>
                 </div>
-                <p class="note">* Optional fields: Duration (for video/audio), Spot Version (MST/REF), Social Media (FBP/FBR/IGF/IGR), and Tracking ID (6 chars, optionally with -N for New Asset Mode).</p>
+                <p class="note">* Optional fields: Duration (for video/audio), Spot Version (MST/REF), Social Media (FBP/FBR/IGF/IGR).</p>
+                <p class="note"><strong>⚠️ TRACKING ID IS REQUIRED:</strong> All files must have a tracking ID (6 chars, optionally with -N) to be routed to the correct upload location.</p>
                 <div class="warning-box">
                     <strong>Upload Processing:</strong> When uploading to DAM, both the OMG Job Number and Tracking ID are automatically stripped. The tracking ID is used to retrieve and apply master asset metadata.
                 </div>
@@ -213,9 +214,9 @@ $clientId = $config['sso']['client_id'] ?? '';
 
                             <!-- Tracking ID Section -->
                             <div class="tracking-id-section">
-                                <h4>Master Asset Tracking ID <span class="badge-tracking">NEW</span></h4>
+                                <h4>Master Asset Tracking ID <span class="badge-tracking">REQUIRED</span></h4>
                                 <p style="margin-bottom: 15px; font-size: 0.95em; color: var(--text-secondary);">
-                                    Enter the 6-character tracking ID from the master asset to link this derivative asset.
+                                    <strong>⚠️ Required:</strong> Enter the 6-character tracking ID from the master asset. This is required to route the file to the correct upload location.
                                 </p>
                                 <div class="tracking-id-input-group">
                                     <input type="text" id="tracking-id" maxlength="8" placeholder="e.g., a7K9mP" pattern="[a-zA-Z0-9]{6}(-N)?" title="6 alphanumeric characters, optionally followed by -N" autocomplete="off" autocapitalize="none" spellcheck="false">
@@ -518,9 +519,10 @@ $clientId = $config['sso']['client_id'] ?? '';
                         <div class="help-section">
                             <h4>Naming Convention Structure (V3)</h4>
                             <div class="help-formula">
-                                <code>[JOB]_[BRAND]_[SUBJECT]_[ASSET]_[DURATION*]S_[RATIO]_[VERSION*]_[COUNTRY]_[LANGUAGE]_[SOCIAL*]_[TRACKING*]</code>
+                                <code>[JOB]_[BRAND]_[SUBJECT]_[ASSET]_[DURATION*]S_[RATIO]_[VERSION*]_[COUNTRY]_[LANGUAGE]_[SOCIAL*]_[TRACKING]</code>
                             </div>
-                            <p class="help-note">* Optional fields: DURATION (for video/audio), VERSION (MST/REF), SOCIAL (FBP/FBR/IGF/IGR), TRACKING_ID (6 chars, optionally with -N)</p>
+                            <p class="help-note">* Optional fields: DURATION (for video/audio), VERSION (MST/REF), SOCIAL (FBP/FBR/IGF/IGR)</p>
+                            <p class="help-note"><strong>Required:</strong> TRACKING_ID is REQUIRED (6 chars, optionally with -N for New Asset Mode). Without a tracking ID, files cannot be routed to the correct upload location.</p>
                             <p class="help-note"><strong>Key Changes in V3:</strong> Country and Language codes moved to end (positions 8-9). New Social Media field added (position 10).</p>
                         </div>
 
@@ -561,11 +563,7 @@ $clientId = $config['sso']['client_id'] ?? '';
                             <h4>Common Questions</h4>
                             <div class="help-faq">
                                 <strong>Q: Do I need to use tracking IDs?</strong>
-                                <p>A: Tracking IDs are optional but highly recommended for derivative assets. They ensure proper metadata inheritance and asset tracking.</p>
-                            </div>
-                            <div class="help-faq">
-                                <strong>Q: What if I don't have a tracking ID?</strong>
-                                <p>A: You can still create filenames without tracking IDs. Just leave the tracking ID field empty in the builder.</p>
+                                <p>A: YES - Tracking IDs are REQUIRED. Without a tracking ID, the system cannot determine the correct upload folder location. Every file must have a tracking ID to be processed correctly.</p>
                             </div>
                             <div class="help-faq">
                                 <strong>Q: Can I use the same tracking ID for multiple derivatives?</strong>