2.6Most used
The current 2.x specification: clearer auction semantics, supply-chain support, CTV and ad-pod refinements, and modern privacy fields.
✦ NexBids Knowledge Hub
Programmatic,
decoded.
Open playbooks on RTB, ad formats, traffic and privacy — written by the engineers who run the exchange. No gates, no fluff, and the source specs offline-ready.
PDF Download the official IAB specs63Expert guides
8Topic tracks
11Official PDFs
✦ The library
Latest guides
Everything we know about programmatic advertising — written by operators, updated weekly.
Field noteGetting started
Programmatic Getting Started · 15 min read
Programmatic Advertising 101: DSP, SSP & the Ad Exchange
Understand the full programmatic supply chain — how demand-side platforms, supply-side platforms, and ad exchanges connect buyers and sellers.
Oct 20, 2026 Read guide
Field noteGetting started
DSP Getting Started · 12 min read
How to Choose a DSP Platform: Evaluation Guide
What to evaluate when selecting a DSP — inventory access, targeting capabilities, optimization features, transparency, and pricing models.
Oct 13, 2026 Read guide
Field noteGetting started
SSP Getting Started · 12 min read
How to Choose an SSP Platform: Publisher Evaluation Guide
Evaluating SSPs — demand quality, fill rates, payment terms, reporting transparency, technical integration, and floor price controls.
Oct 6, 2026 Read guide
Field noteGetting started
First Campaign Getting Started · 14 min read
Setting Up Your First Programmatic Campaign: Step-by-Step
Step-by-step guide — campaign setup, targeting selection, creative specs, budget pacing, optimization tactics, and reporting analysis.
Sep 29, 2026 Read guide
Field noteGetting started
Onboarding Getting Started · 13 min read
Publisher Onboarding: Integrating an SSP Step by Step
How to integrate with an SSP — SDK vs tag vs server-side, OpenRTB endpoints, ad unit setup, floor pricing, and testing before going live.
Sep 22, 2026 Read guide
Field noteGetting started
Ad Ops Getting Started · 14 min read
Ad Ops Roles & Career Guide: Breaking Into Ad Tech
Navigating a career in ad operations — key roles (trafficker, yield manager, ad tech engineer), required skills, certifications, and career progression.
Sep 15, 2026 Read guide
Field noteGetting started
Glossary Getting Started · 25 min read
Programmatic Advertising Glossary: 100+ Essential Terms Defined
A-Z glossary covering SSP, DSP, DMP, RTB, PMP, PG, CPM, eCPM, CTR, CPA, ROAS, viewability, attribution, and all essential ad tech terminology.
Sep 8, 2026 Read guide
Field noteProtocols
OpenRTB Protocol · 12 min read
OpenRTB Explained: The Complete Guide to Real-Time Bidding
A comprehensive breakdown of the OpenRTB specification — bid requests, responses, auction mechanics, versions 2.5, 2.6, and 3.0.
Sep 1, 2026 Read guide
Field noteProtocols
VAST 4.2 Protocol · 16 min read
VAST 4.2 & SIMID: Video Ad Standards Deep Dive
IAB video serving standards explained — VAST XML structure, VPAID interactivity, SIMID replacement, and compatibility across platforms.
Aug 25, 2026 Read guide
✦ The spec shelf
The source documents.
Read every official IAB and IAB Tech Lab standard right in your browser, then download the PDF for offline reference. No forms, no redirects, no account required.
OpenRTB
2.5
The long-lived 2.x release behind most exchange integrations, with native and video refinements and improved deal handling.
2.4
The classic 2.x baseline: bid request and response objects, impression types, deal structures and the original real-time auction model.
Video
4.3Most used
The latest Video Ad Serving Template: ad verification, SIMID support, cleaner wrapper rules and CTV-ready ad pods.
4.2
The 4.x baseline with ad pods, wrappers, verification hooks and the macros still used by most video players today.
Native
1.2
Native request and response assets, context and event trackers for in-feed, content and recommendation placements.
Supply chain
1.0Most used
Who is selling inventory: seller types, names, domains and the relationship between seller accounts and publishers.
2020
Practical answers on implementing sellers.json and the OpenRTB SupplyChain object, including validation and common edge cases.
1.0.3
Authorized Digital Sellers: how publishers declare who is allowed to sell their inventory, and how buyers verify it.
1.0
The app-store variant of ads.txt: how mobile app publishers publish authorized sellers for in-app inventory.
Mobile
3.0
Mobile Rich Media Ad Interface Definitions for in-app creatives: container APIs, viewability, resize and expand behavior.
Mirrored from the public IAB Tech Lab standards library. All documents remain © IAB Technology Laboratory. Visit the source library ↗
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