The Buying Guidance widget provides real-time insights into the inventory and pricing your deal is likely to receive before you finalize it. As you adjust your targeting, the widget returns the following two key metrics calculated from the last seven days of Index Exchange auction data.
| Metric | What it means | How it's calculated |
|---|---|---|
Daily impression opportunities | The approximate number of ad requests per day that match your targeting. | A 5-day average of historical slot requests, extrapolated from a sampled dataset. |
Price guidance in CPM | The typical cost that buyers paid for those requests in USD. | A sum of historical ad spend ÷ impressions over the same 5-day window. |
Using this insight, Marketplace Partners can launch deals with optimal reach and pricing right from the start, eliminating the need for trial-and-error adjustments after the deal goes live.
Alpha limitations and notes:
- To see the widget, you must be participating in the Buying Guidance alpha.
The widget is currently only available when you create a Marketplace Package. It's not supported when you edit a Marketplace Package.
The following targeting dimensions are not supported and won't be considered in the Buying Guidance estimates:
Click-through rate (CTR)
Custom key values
Deals
Networks and channels
Segments
Video completion rate (VCR)
Video player width, height, and aspect ratios
Zip and postal codes
Note: For domain targeting, only top-level domains (for example, website.com) are supported. If you add a sub-domain (for example, blog.website.com), the Buying Guidance estimates will show a zero. Domains that contain a URL path (for example, website.com/about-us) are not a supported targeting option in Marketplace Packages and will also show a zero in the Buying Guidance widget if added. For more information about domain targeting, see How domain targeting works.
To preview impressions and pricing while creating a Marketplace Package, complete the following steps:
Enter your email address and password to log in to the Index UI at app.indexexchange.com.
If you have more than one account, select the account that you want to access.
- Click Deals.
Click Create Deal and select Marketplace Package.
Enter the Name, Deal ID, DSP, dates, and any other required deal details. For detailed instructions on how to create a Marketplace Package, see Create a Marketplace Package.
In the Targeting section, select at least one of the supported targeting dimensions.
When you are finished adding your targeting, in the Buying Guidance widget, click Calculate.
Review the estimated Daily impression opportunities and Price Guidance in CPM (USD).
Optionally, refine your targeting and click Calculate to update the numbers.
When you are satisfied with the estimated impression opportunities and average CPM, click CREATE to finalize the Marketplace Package.
Tips for interpreting the numbers
Seek a balance: A very low CPM with very high avails might indicate low-value inventory. Conversely, a very high CPM with very low avails could limit your scale.
Refine your filters: Begin with broad settings, then gradually add more specific dimensions to identify which filter has the most significant impact.
Frequently asked questions
How up-to-date are the estimates?
Data is refreshed daily and represents the previous seven calendar days.
Are the numbers guaranteed?
No. They are directional estimates with a target ±15 % accuracy margin. Actual delivery depends on live auction dynamics.
Can I export the data?
Not from the widget. API access for programmatic use may be coming in the future.
Why don't I see the widget?
Contact your Index Representative to make sure you are part of the alpha program.
