IAB Unveils New Digital Advertising Invoice Standards for Feedback

IAB Introduces New Invoice API Specifications for the Digital Advertising Industry

On June 10, 2025, the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB), a key player in the digital advertising sector, unveiled its new Digital Advertising Invoice API Specifications, inviting stakeholders to provide feedback until August 11, 2025. This public comment phase is vital for shaping standards that are set to standardize and simplify invoicing within the digital advertising supply chain.

A Much-Needed Modernization

The IAB's Vice President for Measurement, Attribution and Data Center, Angelina Eng, highlighted that despite the digital advancements in other areas of the industry, invoicing processes have remained manual and outdated. “This effort reflects our commitment to modernizing digital advertising infrastructure,” stated Eng. The initiative is designed not only to streamline invoicing but also to enhance payment accuracy across digital advertising transactions.

Gone are the days when advertisers and publishers grappled with inconsistent invoice formats and delayed payments. The new API specifications aim to provide a unified, machine-readable format for invoice data that is compatible with various platforms, thereby encouraging prompt and accurate payments. By addressing these operational inefficiencies, the IAB aspires to create a smoother workflow that enhances productivity for all involved parties.

Collaboration with Industry Leaders

Developed in collaboration with Mediaocean, the new specifications adapt the successful API architecture from the Prisma platform. Alexander Tsai, Senior Vice President of Prisma Product Management at Mediaocean, praised this cross-industry partnership, stating, “By aligning around a standardized API framework for invoice automation, we're ensuring that digital advertising keeps pace with the broader media landscape.” This collaborative effort is indicative of the IAB's role as a facilitator in resolving widespread industry challenges.

Key Features of the New Specifications

The newly proposed API specifications aim to tackle several key operational challenges within the field:
1. Flexibility and Integration: The frameworks are designed for easy integration into existing finance systems on the seller side, making it simpler for companies to transition to this new system.
2. Common Language: By introducing standardized terminology and structure across the industry, these specifications will enhance the efficiency of invoice processing and data reconciliation, significantly reducing the likelihood of invoice errors.
3. Faster Payments: With the adoption of this new API framework, the goal is to expedite payment cycles, leading to an overall increase in the accuracy and transparency of financial transactions within the digital advertising sector.

Call to Action for Stakeholders

The IAB encourages all participants in the digital advertising ecosystem, including advertisers, publishers, and technology providers, to review the proposed API specifications and share their insights. This feedback is pivotal as it helps shape guidelines that will likely standardize the invoicing processes long-term.

As the market continues to evolve, the IAB aims to facilitate advancements that not only enhance the operational efficiency of digital advertising but also ensure that all stakeholders can thrive in an increasingly complex technological landscape.

In conclusion, the release of the Digital Advertising Invoice API Specifications is a significant stride toward modernizing invoice handling in the digital advertising industry. It addresses existing pain points while fostering greater collaboration among key players. Stakeholders are encouraged to participate in the ongoing dialogue and make their voices heard by the end of the public comment period in August 2025. To learn more about the specifications, you can follow the provided link to review the proposals and submit your comments.

About the IAB

Founded in 1996 and headquartered in New York City, the Interactive Advertising Bureau represents over 700 media companies, brands, agencies, and technology firms that are at the forefront of digital advertising. IAB's mission encompasses providing critical research, educational resources, and the establishment of technical solutions in the realm of digital marketing. By staying actively engaged in policy advocacy and professional development, the IAB plays a crucial role in promoting the value and importance of digital advertising in today’s economy.