PubMatic

PubMatic

Supply-side platform for programmatic video and display advertising. PubMatic connects publishers to demand-side buyers via header bidding auctions. The PubMatic script participates in Prebid.js auctions and syncs user IDs across its network for audience-targeted ad serving.

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Overview

PubMatic is a supply-side platform (SSP) for programmatic display and video advertising. It connects publishers to demand-side buyers through header bidding auctions and real-time bidding exchanges.

What This Script Does

  • Participates in Prebid.js or proprietary header bidding auctions on publisher pages
  • Sends bid requests containing page context, ad slot dimensions, and user identifiers to PubMatic's ad exchange
  • Syncs user IDs with demand-side platforms and data management platforms via cookie syncing pixels
  • Sets cookies to maintain a persistent user identifier across PubMatic's publisher network
  • Collects signals including page URL, referrer, device type, and geographic location for ad targeting

Consent & Compliance

  • Category: Marketing / Advertising
  • GDPR: Requires consent. Performs extensive cross-site user tracking, cookie syncing, and behavioral ad targeting.
  • CCPA: Cross-site identifier syncing and behavioral targeting qualifies as sale/sharing of personal information.
  • ePrivacy: Sets multiple advertising and tracking cookies. Consent required.

Should You Block This Without Consent?

Yes. This is a programmatic advertising platform that performs cross-site tracking and user ID syncing for ad targeting. Block until marketing consent is granted.

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Consent Categories

Marketing

Also Known As

pubmaticPubMatic SSPheader biddingsupply side platformprebidprogrammatic advertising

Industries

Computers Electronics and Technology

Tracked Domains (1)

pubmatic.comMarketing

Frequently Asked Questions

Must PubMatic be blocked without visitor consent?

Yes. PubMatic performs cross-site user tracking, cookie syncing with demand-side platforms, and behavioral ad targeting. It sets persistent advertising cookies and transmits user identifiers through real-time bidding auctions, requiring explicit marketing consent.

What data does PubMatic collect and share during ad auctions?

PubMatic collects page URL, referrer, device type, geographic location, and user cookie identifiers. These are sent to buyers in bid requests during header bidding auctions. User IDs are synced across demand-side and data management platforms via cookie sync pixels.

How does ConsentStack handle PubMatic?

ConsentStack blocks PubMatic scripts by default and only loads them after explicit marketing consent is obtained. ConsentStack supports passing TCF consent signals to PubMatic, a registered IAB TCF vendor, ensuring compliant programmatic ad auction participation.

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Manage consent for PubMatic

ConsentStack automatically detects and manages PubMatic trackers so your site stays compliant with global privacy regulations.

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