IAB Proposal Aims To Fix Persistent Digital Ad Pain Point: Invoicing And Payments.

The Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) is looking to streamline the exchange of invoice data and documentation between buyers and sellers across the digital advertising supply chain, including audio, with its latest effort. The IAB has released proposed Digital Advertising Invoice API Specifications for public comment. The protocols are aimed at solving a persistent operational pain point in digital advertising with the lack of standardization in invoicing processes. The IAB says the proposed specifications provide a consistent, machine-readable format for transmitting invoice data, reducing the need for manual processing, accelerating payment cycles, and improving overall accuracy.

“Despite the digital nature of our industry, the way we handle invoices is still largely manual and outdated,” said Angelina Eng, VP of Measurement, Attribution & Data Center at the IAB. “This effort reflects our commitment to modernizing digital advertising infrastructure, which will enable scalable, tech-forward solutions that work across platforms and stakeholders.”

The proposed API specifications aim to address many of the digital inefficiencies, from inconsistent formats and missing documentation to delayed payments and invoice rejections. They will do that by offering a flexible solution built for easy integration into existing seller-side finance systems that use a common language and structure to improve invoice processing and data reconciliation. The result is what IAB says will be a foundation for faster, more accurate, and transparent payments. Beyond audio, the proposal covers display, video, CTV, programmatic and gaming advertising.

The specifications were developed in collaboration with the advertising services and software company Mediaocean, which contributed its Prisma API specifications to serve as the foundation for a system-agnostic industry standard. Alexander Tsai, Senior VP of Prisma Product Management at Mediaocean, says it shows that by bringing stakeholders together, they can solve practical, systemic issues in advertising. “By aligning around a standardized API framework for invoice automation, we’re helping ensure that digital advertising keeps pace with the broader media landscape,” Tsai says in the announcement.

IAB encourages all digital advertising stakeholders to review the Digital Advertising Invoice API Specifications and provide feedback during the 60-day public comment period. Comments are being accepted through Aug. 11. Finalized specifications are expected to be released in October. 

Read the IAB’s proposed Digital Advertising Invoice API Specifications HERE.