In a critical step toward modernizing advertising operations, the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB) today released its Digital Advertising Invoice API Specifications for public comment. This proposed standard introduces a unified, system-agnostic framework designed to automate and simplify invoice data exchange between buyers and sellers in the digital ad supply chain.
The public comment period runs through August 11, 2025, and IAB invites feedback from the full spectrum of industry stakeholders.
“Despite the digital nature of our industry, the way we handle invoices is still largely manual and outdated,” said Angelina Eng, VP, Measurement, Attribution & Data Center at IAB. “This initiative reflects our commitment to creating scalable, tech-forward infrastructure for the future of advertising.”
Built for Interoperability, Speed, and Accuracy
Developed in collaboration with Mediaocean and inspired by the Prisma platform’s API architecture, the specifications aim to address long-standing inefficiencies in advertising finance workflows, including:
- Inconsistent invoice formats
- Missing documentation
- Payment delays
- Frequent invoice rejections
The API specs offer:
- A machine-readable format for standardized invoice data
- A flexible and interoperable interface for seller-side finance system integration
- Improved data reconciliation, payment speed, and transparency
“By aligning around a standardized API framework for invoice automation, we’re helping ensure that digital advertising keeps pace with the broader media landscape,” said Alexander Tsai, SVP of Prisma Product Management at Mediaocean.
A Practical Leap Toward Industry Modernization
For decades, despite advances in adtech and measurement, the financial operations side of digital advertising has remained largely manual. IAB’s Digital Advertising Invoice API Specifications represent a first-of-its-kind attempt to unify invoice formatting across platforms, allowing for better interoperability and automation.
“This is the kind of practical innovation the industry needs — a universal framework to solve systemic inefficiencies,” said Eng. “With support from major players, this specification has the potential to significantly improve operational efficiency.”
Get Involved: Comment Open Until August 11
The IAB is actively seeking input from across the ecosystem — including publishers, agencies, ad tech platforms, DSPs, SSPs, and finance teams — to help refine the standard ahead of its final release later in 2025.
Click here to review the API specifications and submit feedback.
Deadline: August 11, 2025
Takeaway
With the launch of these standardized API specs, the IAB is making a bold move to bring financial operations in digital advertising into the 21st century — offering a common foundation for faster payments, fewer errors, and better alignment across partners.
