Real-time data integration: gRPC implementation

Integration Partners
Last Updated: April 30, 2026

This document outlines guidelines for implementing gRPC-based real-time data integrations. All new real-time data integrations should use gRPC. While HTTP-based integrations may exist for legacy use cases, all new feature development and enhancements are designed for gRPC.

These guidelines apply whether the service is:

  • Hosted by the partner

  • Deployed in the Index Cloud

gRPC integration build guide

Classification endpoint

EndpointDescription

Partners must expose an endpointClosed A URL which is configured to interact with a server in a specific way. accessible through a gRPC request following the agentic RTBClosed Real-Time Bidding (RTB). The automated buying and selling of inventory for advertisements in real time, which is within milliseconds of an individual user loading a site. Protobuf Schema that you downloaded with your build files.

The SLA for Index to use your response in our auction processing is 5 milliseconds. All requests should be made in approximately 5 milliseconds, with no more than 5% of requests allowed to exceed the timeout value specified in the tmax value. If more than 5% of requests time out, traffic to your container will be automatically throttled, and Index may lower the QPSClosed Queries Per Second (QPS). The number of bid requests a DSP processes per second. Also known as impressions per second. accordingly. Calls to this endpoint will use keep-alive connections to minimize network overhead.

Note: This specification will be continually updated to support new requirements. Let us know if you have new fields that you would like Index to support.

Response codes

Standard gRPC status codes should be returned.

Circuit breaker logic

If Index receives any status code other than OK, or more than 5% of requests have exceeded an HTTP timeout value of 30 ms, Index's internal circuit breaker logic is triggered, and requests to the affected partner's API are throttled. Requests to a partner's API that time out will also trigger this same circuit breaker logic. Circuit breaker logic exists to protect both Index and our partners' systems. When errors rates return to nominal levels, circuit breakers will reopen and regular traffic volume will resume.

gRPC-supported lifecycle extension points and mutations

OpenRTB lifecycle extension pointMutationsSupported pathsUse case

PublisherClosed The owner of a website or app where advertisements are served. request

ACTIVATE_SEGMENTS

/user/data

Activate a list of segment IDs for a given request.

ACTIVATE_DEALS

/imp/<impID>

Activate a list of dealClosed A private auction that allows media owners to offer specific inventory directly to selected buyers identified by a deal ID. Terms are negotiated and are agreed upon before the auction occurs. IDs for a given request for a given imp ID.

Each mutation should contain only one deal ID. Multiple deal IDs require separate mutations.

SUPPRESS_DEALS

/imp/<impID>

Suppress a list of deal IDs for a given request for a given imp ID.

Each mutation should contain only one deal ID. Multiple deal IDs require separate mutations.

ADJUST_DEAL_FLOOR

/imp/<impid>/deal/<dealid>

Adjust the bid floorClosed A pricing control used by media owners and exchanges to set a minimum sale price on inventory. of a specific deal.

ADD_CIDS

/content/data

Add a list of content data to site or app content object.

DSPClosed Demand-Side Platform (DSP). A software platform that automates bidding decisions in real-time and efficiently connects buyers and audiences through an ad exchange or SSP. Also known as a buy-side platform. bid responseClosed An OpenRTB response that is sent by the DSP in response to the SSP's or ad exchange's bid request. It is an event directed back to the seller expressing a valuation for the request and conditions of sale.

BID_SHADE (coming soon)

/seatbid/<seatID>/bid/<bidID>

Modify a DSP bid price.