IAS Brings Episode-Level Pre-Bid Optimization for Podcasts on and off Spotify via The Trade Desk
Podcast advertising is experiencing massive momentum, with U.S. ad revenue recently surging more than 17% to a record $2.9 billion. Marketers are eager to connect with these deeply engaged audio audiences, but scaling campaigns while maintaining precise control has traditionally come with unique challenges.
Marketers want to buy podcast inventory with the same confidence and precision they expect from digital display and video. However, contextual classification for audio has often been limited to the broader show or app level. This makes it difficult for advertisers to accurately align campaigns with their specific suitability profiles, which can accidentally screen out individual episodes that are otherwise a great fit.
Building upon the AI-driven brand safety and suitability solutions previously introduced for the Spotify Audience Network, IAS is bringing unmatched precision to the space. Through an expanded partnership with Spotify, IAS has launched episode-level pre-bid optimization for programmatic audio—available first via The Trade Desk.
“Programmatic audio has always allowed brands to reach a large and growing audience, and now, with this launch, it also allows for greater control. By launching episode-level pre-bid optimization for programmatic audio for Spotify, via The Trade Desk, we are enhancing brands’ ability to confidently drive their podcast ad spend, aligned to their own brand suitability profiles.”
Precision Before the Bid: Four Key Capabilities
Powered by IAS Context Control, this solution allows advertisers to seamlessly apply contextual controls before a bid is placed, maximizing media quality performance across Spotify podcast impressions:
- Confidence to Scale: Seamlessly apply the exact same brand suitability standards you use across other digital campaigns to Spotify podcast inventory, before you bid.
- Episode-Level Precision: Contextual classification is applied at the individual episode level, not just the show or app level. This protects your brand while unlocking additional suitable inventory opportunities.
- Industry-Standard Alignment: Marketers can choose from 33 contextual avoidance segments across 11 industry-aligned categories at three distinct risk levels (high, medium, and low).
- Seamless Activation: These IAS Context Control Pre-bid segments are available to apply to Spotify campaigns directly within The Trade Desk.
Scaling Audio with Confidence
By bringing buyers and platforms onto the same page, this solution ensures that programmatic audio can scale efficiently without sacrificing the transparency that modern brands require.
IAS Context Control segments for Spotify podcasts will be available via The Trade Desk starting this July, with a rollout to other major DSP platforms in the coming months.
Ready to elevate your audio strategy? Reach out to your IAS representative to learn how to activate episode-level pre-bid optimization.
