IAB Tech Lab Updates OpenRTB To Increase Security, Transparency, Authentication & Trust in Programmatic Advertising

OpenRTB 3.0 Released for Two-Phase Public Comment
Framework Released First for Industry Input, to be Followed by Specs for Additional Feedback

NEW YORK – The IAB Technology Laboratory released for public comment OpenRTB 3.0, a major overhaul to the real-time bidding framework that will heighten trust in the security of the automated advertising supply chain by giving buyers more transparency during the bid process. It also integrates recent technology advancements—such as ads.txt—to improve automated buying and selling for all stakeholders.

“As the industry adopts this new standard, we expect to see sharply increasing demands for authenticated supply and high quality ad experiences, better interoperability with other IAB standards, and an even greater pace of innovation.”

Key updates proposed for OpenRTB 3.0 include:

  • A new process of cryptographically signed bid requests to view the actual path of inventory, providing buyers with verification of an untampered supply chain
  • New companion “Advertising Common Object Model” specifications (AdCOM), highlighting the updates to ad and creative objects that will give publishers greater control of creative elements and user experience on their webpages
  • Ad Management API Standard companion specification, standardizing the creative approval process for buyers and sellers, streamlining development efforts across platform integrations

“This overhaul, which is the most comprehensive revision to OpenRTB since its inception in 2010, will arm the digital ad industry with resources to fuel the growth of automated buying and selling,” said Dennis Buchheim, Senior Vice President and General Manager, IAB Tech Lab. “It is a direct response to the stronger technology requirements that are demanded by brand marketers and media buyers in today’s complex advertising ecosystem.”

“OpenRTB v3.0 fills a critical need, allowing real-time bidding to adapt to modern supply chains and providing new tools to combat fraud,” said Jim Butler, CTO of Global Supply Platforms, Oath Inc. and Co-Chair of the OpenRTB Working Group. “As the industry adopts this new standard, we expect to see sharply increasing demands for authenticated supply and high quality ad experiences, better interoperability with other IAB standards, and an even greater pace of innovation.”

This public comment process will include two phases. First, comments on the framework are being collected at https://goo.gl/forms/eUOEV9Lr6VW0RWtf2. After those framework comments are reviewed, OpenRTB 3.0 specifications will be made available in October via the IAB Tech Lab blog to allow for additional comments to be shared.

In total, OpenRTB 3.0 will have a 90-day public comment period, running through December 15, 2017, after which the IAB Tech Lab OpenRTB Working Group will evaluate and incorporate the feedback received, and release a final version in the first quarter 2018, including both the updated framework and specifications. With the final release, companies would then be able to begin the adoption process.

To review the proposed OpenRTB 3.0 framework, please go to https://iabtechlab.com/openrtb.

About IAB Technology Laboratory

The IAB Technology Laboratory is an independent, international, nonprofit research and development consortium charged with producing and helping companies implement global industry technical standards. Comprised of digital publishers and ad technology firms, as well as marketers, agencies, and other companies with interests in the interactive marketing arena, the IAB Tech Lab’s goal is to reduce friction associated with the digital advertising and marketing supply chain, while contributing to the safe and secure growth of the industry. The organization’s governing member companies include AppNexus, Extreme Reach, Google, GroupM, Hearst Magazines Digital Media, Integral Ad Science, LinkedIn, Moat, Pandora, PubMatic, Sonobi, Tremor Video, and Yahoo! JAPAN. Established in 2014, the IAB Tech Lab is headquartered in New York City with an office in San Francisco.