Outbrain - Detailed Review
Media Tools
Outbrain - Detailed Review Contents
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Outbrain - Product Overview
Outbrain Overview
Outbrain is a prominent player in the media tools and AI-driven product category, specializing in native advertising and content discovery.Primary Function
Outbrain serves as a bridge between advertisers and publishers, enabling businesses to promote their products and services through native ads on a vast network of publisher sites. This platform helps advertisers reach their target audience by displaying relevant content recommendations on thousands of websites, including major news, sports, and entertainment sites like CNN, Fox News, and MSN.Target Audience
Outbrain’s primary customers include:Advertisers
Businesses from various industries such as e-commerce, publishing, and finance looking to expand their reach and promote their content.Content Publishers
Websites aiming to drive traffic and increase engagement with their content.Marketing Agencies
Agencies managing advertising campaigns for multiple clients. Outbrain caters to both small to medium businesses and enterprise-level companies, offering a global reach across 55 countries.Key Features
Native Advertising
Outbrain ads appear as recommended content that matches the look and feel of the hosting webpage, often at the bottom of articles, in sidebars, or within the content itself. These ads come in various formats, including images, text, videos, and carousel ads.Advanced Targeting
Outbrain uses sophisticated targeting options based on user interests, behavior, and contextual signals. Advertisers can target audiences by interests, page categories (contextual targeting), or even leverage lookalike audiences and data from Outbrain’s marketplace partners.Bid Strategies and Campaign Management
Advertisers can set up campaigns using the Outbrain dashboard, choosing their targeting preferences and bid strategies to optimize ad performance. The platform also includes tools like the Outbrain Pixel, which helps track user interactions on the advertiser’s website.Global Reach and Impressions
Outbrain offers access to 290 billion monthly impressions across a wide range of premium publisher sites, making it a powerful tool for reaching a diverse and global audience. By leveraging these features, Outbrain helps businesses deliver relevant and engaging content to their target audiences, enhancing user experience and driving higher engagement and conversion rates. Outbrain - User Interface and Experience
User Interface Overview
The user interface of Outbrain is highly praised for its ease of use and intuitive design, making it accessible to a wide range of users, including novice advertisers.Ease of Use
Outbrain’s user interface is interactive and friendly, allowing publishers and advertisers to set up profiles and create ads without much hassle. The platform is known for its simplicity, with an automated mode that simplifies the process of creating native advertising campaigns. This automation demystifies the ad creation process, making it straightforward even for those new to digital marketing.Customization and Control
While the automated mode is beneficial, Outbrain also offers a manual mode for those who prefer more control over their campaigns. This allows for more customization in targeting and campaign settings, giving users the flexibility to adjust their strategies as needed.Targeting and Audience Segmentation
The interface enables precise targeting, allowing users to specify audience requirements based on geography, interests, device type, and demographics. This feature is enhanced by the ability to use custom and lookalike audiences, ensuring that the most relevant users see the content, thereby increasing engagement and conversion rates.Reporting and Analytics
Outbrain’s dashboard provides a comprehensive view of campaign performance through detailed reporting features. Users can track, analyze, and optimize their campaigns with precision, breaking down data by date range, campaign, content, and device type. The platform also allows for exporting data and scheduling automatic reports, which is particularly useful for ongoing campaign monitoring.AI-Generated Ads
The platform utilizes AI to generate ads, which is especially beneficial for novice advertisers. This feature streamlines the ad creation process, making it more accessible and efficient.Overall User Experience
The overall user experience on Outbrain is enhanced by its intuitive interface and advanced technologies like Smartfeed, which improves engagement between audiences and native content. The platform’s focus on personalization and transparency, such as showing where ads are being displayed and their respective click-through rates (CTRs), adds to the positive user experience.Conclusion
In summary, Outbrain’s user interface is user-friendly, highly customizable, and supported by advanced AI-driven features that make it easy to create, manage, and optimize advertising campaigns. This combination ensures a positive and engaging experience for both advertisers and publishers. Outbrain - Key Features and Functionality
Outbrain Overview
Outbrain, a leading content discovery and native advertising platform, offers several key features and functionalities that leverage AI to enhance user engagement and advertiser outcomes. Here are the main features and how they work:
Personalized Content Recommendations
Outbrain uses a recommendation engine that analyzes user behavior and interests to display relevant content recommendations. This engine personalizes the content shown to users based on their individual internet behavior, increasing the likelihood of engagement and improving the user experience.
Advanced Targeting Options
Outbrain provides a wide range of targeting options for advertisers, including location, placement, audience segmentation, and more advanced options based on user interests, behavior, and contextual signals. This ensures that ads are shown to the most relevant audiences, which is particularly crucial as the internet moves away from third-party cookies.
AI-Driven Advertising Solutions
Outbrain has deepened its collaboration with Microsoft, integrating Microsoft Azure AI solutions into its platform. This includes the use of Azure OpenAI Service and the Dall-E model to generate more relevant content and improve advertising solutions. These AI solutions enable Outbrain to deliver more personalized and engaging content, driving better return on ad spend for advertisers.
Smartfeed Technology
Outbrain’s proprietary Smartfeed technology enhances engagement between audiences and native content. This technology ensures that the content recommendations are highly relevant and personalized, leading to a better user experience and higher engagement rates.
Real-Time Data Dashboard
Outbrain offers a real-time data dashboard that provides live updates on campaign performance, including impressions, spend, clicks, average CPC, and click-through rate. This tool allows advertisers to monitor their campaigns in real-time, make adjustments on the fly, and spot any sudden fluctuations in spend or engagement.
Audience Segmentation and Retargeting
Outbrain allows advertisers to build audience segments and create ads that match each segment. Features include retargeting audiences based on their interactions with the content and story sequencing to build momentum and guide audiences through a marketing funnel. This helps in reminding interested users about offerings and nudging them toward conversion.
Campaign Management and Optimization
Advertisers can manage their campaigns using the Outbrain dashboard, where they can set up native campaigns, choose targeting preferences, and optimize their campaigns based on detailed performance data. The platform provides extensive reporting features that allow advertisers to track, analyze, and optimize their campaigns with precision.
Integration with Major Platforms
Outbrain’s platform serves over 1 billion users worldwide, with more than 50 million daily engagements across over 8,000 media owners. The integration with Microsoft Azure enhances infrastructure flexibility and innovation in advertising technology, ensuring scalable and reliable operations.
Conclusion
These features collectively make Outbrain a powerful tool for both publishers and advertisers, enhancing content discovery, user engagement, and advertising effectiveness through the integration of advanced AI solutions.
Outbrain - Performance and Accuracy
Evaluation of Outbrain’s Performance and Accuracy
When evaluating the performance and accuracy of Outbrain in the Media Tools AI-driven product category, several key aspects stand out:AI-Driven Optimization
Outbrain has integrated AI deeply into its platform, particularly through its Amplify dashboard and various optimization tools. The platform uses machine learning to continuously test and refine ads, ensuring improved engagement and conversion rates. For instance, Outbrain’s Smartad optimization feature leverages AI to optimize ads in real-time, adjusting for various factors to enhance performance.Real-Time Metrics and A/B Testing
Outbrain provides comprehensive real-time metrics, allowing advertisers to optimize their campaigns on the go. The platform’s A/B testing features enable split testing of different creatives, headlines, and images, which helps in identifying the most effective elements of an ad campaign. This data-driven approach ensures that advertisers can make informed decisions quickly.Bid Automation
Outbrain’s bid automation technology uses predictive algorithms to set appropriate bids in real-time, optimizing for engagement and conversion goals. This automated bidding process saves time for performance marketers and helps in maintaining a competitive edge while controlling costs.QualityRating™
Outbrain’s QualityRating™ algorithm is a significant advancement, as it balances user engagement and content quality. This feature ensures that the recommendations served are not just clickbait but also provide value to consumers. By prioritizing both engagement and quality, Outbrain enhances the overall user experience and encourages advertisers to improve the quality of their ads.Creative Automation
Outbrain’s Creative Automation tools utilize generative AI and predictive insights to personalize and optimize ad creatives. This automation removes the barriers to achieving peak performance, allowing for better engagement and scalable growth. The use of data-driven creative optimization helps in breaking away from generic stock imagery and provides more relevant and engaging content.Limitations and Areas for Improvement
While Outbrain’s AI-driven tools are highly effective, there are some areas where improvements can be made:Privacy and Data Handling
Although Outbrain emphasizes a privacy-first approach, the evolving landscape of privacy regulations can pose challenges. Ensuring compliance and maintaining user trust is crucial, and continuous updates to their privacy-centric models are necessary.User Feedback and Algorithm Refinement
While the QualityRating™ algorithm is a step forward, it relies on continuous feedback and refinement. Ensuring that the algorithm accurately reflects consumer value and preferences is an ongoing process that requires constant monitoring and adjustment.Ad Format Diversity
While Outbrain has made significant strides in video and other ad formats with its Onyx platform, there may still be room for expansion in terms of diverse ad formats to cater to different advertiser goals and user preferences.Conclusion
In summary, Outbrain’s performance and accuracy in the Media Tools AI-driven product category are strong, thanks to its advanced AI-driven optimization tools, real-time metrics, and focus on both engagement and content quality. However, ongoing attention to privacy, user feedback, and ad format diversity will be essential for continued improvement. Outbrain - Pricing and Plans
Outbrain Pricing Structure
Outbrain’s pricing structure is based on a Cost-Per-Click (CPC) model, which is straightforward and flexible for advertisers. Here are the key points regarding their pricing and plans:Pricing Model
Outbrain operates on a CPC model, where you are charged only for the number of clicks your campaign receives. You set the CPC rate, and you will be charged this amount for each click until your budget is exhausted.Budgeting Options
There are two main types of budgets you can set:Lifetime Budget
This allows Outbrain to display your ads until the entire budget is spent. If no time frame is specified, the budget will be spent as quickly as possible until it is depleted.Daily Budget
This limits the amount spent per day. You can set a start and end date, or leave the campaign running indefinitely, pausing it manually if needed.Billing Cycle
Outbrain charges your account based on the actual spend accrued. Billing occurs as your campaign spends, typically in rounded amounts. For example, if your campaign spends $230, you will be charged $200 immediately, and if the charge succeeds, you can continue spending. If the charge fails, your account will be disabled.Additional Costs
There is a 3% processing fee for accounts that pay by credit card, which is added on top of the actual media spend.No Tiers or Free Options for Advertising
Unlike some other services, Outbrain does not offer different tiers or free options for their advertising services. You pay only for the clicks you receive, and there are no setup fees or contracts.Content Types
While there are no different tiers or free plans for advertising, Outbrain does accept a wide variety of content types, including articles, blog posts, videos, earned media, and more. However, this does not affect the pricing structure.Conclusion
In summary, Outbrain’s pricing is purely based on the CPC model, with flexible budgeting options and no additional tiers or free plans for advertising. Outbrain - Integration and Compatibility
Outbrain Integrations Overview
Outbrain, a leading technology platform for driving business results across the open internet, integrates with various tools and platforms to enhance its functionality and reach. Here’s a breakdown of its integration and compatibility:Integration with Voluum
Outbrain can be fully integrated with Voluum, a tracking and optimization platform. This integration allows users to manage their Outbrain campaigns directly within Voluum, enabling features such as:- Synchronizing costs for campaigns, publishers, sections, and ads.
- Checking the status of campaigns.
- Bidding on campaigns, sections, and ads.
- Pausing or resuming campaigns, Publisher IDs, Publisher section IDs, and ad IDs.
- Creating rules for campaign optimization.
Integration with Mobile SDKs
Outbrain provides SDKs for both Android and iOS platforms, allowing mobile app developers to integrate Outbrain recommendations into their applications.Android SDK
The Outbrain Android SDK is a Java package compatible with API version 14 and above. It requires the Google Play package and involves adding the Outbrain repository to the project’s `build.gradle` file. Developers must register their app with Outbrain using a partner key and can use the SDK to request content recommendations, display them, and handle user interactions.iOS SDK
The Outbrain iOS SDK is compatible with iOS 10.3 and later versions. It requires the addition of `AdSupport.framework` and `SystemConfiguration.framework`. Developers can integrate the SDK using various methods such as directly downloading the XCFramework, Swift Package Manager, or Cocoapods. The SDK must be initialized with a partner key before use.Collaboration with Microsoft
Outbrain has deepened its collaboration with Microsoft by integrating its operations with Microsoft Azure. This partnership involves scaling Outbrain’s traffic to be served on Azure and integrating generative AI solutions based on Azure OpenAI Service. This integration aims to provide more relevant content to audiences and better solutions for advertisers, including the creation of ad creatives based on AI analysis.OEM Integrations
Outbrain partners with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to integrate its content discovery experiences into pre-installed applications on mobile devices. These integrations include:- Preinstalled discovery applications that offer users a rich content discovery experience.
- Lock screen applications that provide content recommendations directly on the lock screen of mobile devices.
Conclusion
In summary, Outbrain integrates seamlessly with various platforms and tools, including Voluum for campaign management, mobile SDKs for app developers, Microsoft Azure for AI-driven solutions, and OEMs for native content discovery experiences. This broad compatibility ensures that Outbrain can serve a wide range of users and advertisers effectively. Outbrain - Customer Support and Resources
Customer Support
Phone Support
You can contact Outbrain’s customer service department using the toll-free number (866) 467-8688. This number is available for general inquiries, assistance with publishing advertisements, and resolving any issues you might encounter.
Email Support
Outbrain offers various email addresses for different types of inquiries. For general information, you can email info@outbrain.com. For legal and privacy-related questions, use legal@outbrain.com or privacy@outbrain.com. Press inquiries can be sent to press@outbrain.com. Responses typically take 4-7 days.
Account Managers
If you are working with an account manager, you can contact them directly for personalized support with your campaigns. For those not assigned an account manager, the DIY Customer Success team is available via support@outbrain.com and will respond within 24 business hours.
Additional Resources
Help Center
Outbrain has a comprehensive Help Center where you can find answers to common questions and detailed guides on using their platform. This resource is particularly useful for practical questions about campaign management and troubleshooting.
Resource Center
The Outbrain Resource Center is a centralized hub that includes marketing videos, webinars, guides, articles, and more. Here, you can access a wide range of content related to digital marketing, content recommendations, native advertising, and brand awareness. The center is regularly updated to ensure the content remains fresh and relevant.
AI-Driven Tools and Guides
Outbrain utilizes AI in various aspects of digital marketing, such as predicting consumer behavior, optimizing ad placements, and personalizing messages. The company provides guides and articles on how to leverage these AI tools effectively, including AI-powered ad placement and content marketing automation.
Office and Contact Information
Corporate Offices
Outbrain has offices in several locations, including New York, Sydney, and London. You can send mail or inquiries to these offices for specific departments such as accounting, legal, or other specialists.
By leveraging these support options and resources, users can effectively manage their campaigns, resolve issues, and optimize their marketing strategies with Outbrain.
Outbrain - Pros and Cons
When Considering Outbrain as a Media Tool in the AI-Driven Product Category
Key Advantages
- Unique Monetization Method: Outbrain offers a distinctive way to monetize content through native advertising, which can be more engaging and less intrusive than traditional ads.
- Easy Installation and Use: The platform is known for its easy installation and user-friendly interface, making it accessible for a wide range of users.
- Innovative Solutions: Outbrain utilizes AI-powered tools, such as the Image Optimizer, which generates images optimized for engagement based on campaign performance data and user-defined parameters.
- Multiple Targeting Options: The platform provides advanced audience targeting options, including interest targeting and geo-targeting, allowing advertisers to reach their desired audience effectively.
- High-Quality Traffic: Outbrain helps drive high-quality traffic and increases views and sessions, which can be beneficial for both advertisers and publishers.
- Global Reach: With a presence in over 55 countries and 344 billion monthly impressions, Outbrain offers a significant global reach, making it ideal for advertisers looking to scale their campaigns.
- Good Customer Service: Users have reported good customer service, which is crucial for resolving issues and optimizing campaign performance.
- Large Site Network: Outbrain has a large network of premium sites, including CNN and The Guardian, providing extensive exposure for advertisers.
Key Disadvantages
- Relatively Lower Earnings: Compared to other advertising platforms, Outbrain may offer relatively lower earnings for publishers, which could be a drawback.
- Delayed Reporting: There have been reports of delayed reporting, which can make it challenging for users to monitor and adjust their campaigns in real-time.
- Challenging Approval Process: Some users have found the approval process for ads to be challenging, which can delay the launch of campaigns.
- Need for an Account Manager: Managing campaigns on Outbrain often requires the assistance of an account manager, which may not be ideal for all users.
- Limited Targeting Options in Some Cases: Despite the advanced targeting options, some users have reported limitations in certain aspects of targeting, which can restrict campaign flexibility.
- Native Formats Only: Outbrain is limited to native ad formats, which might not be suitable for all advertising strategies.
Conclusion
Overall, Outbrain offers a compelling set of features and benefits, particularly in its use of AI for optimizing ad performance and its extensive global reach. However, it also has some drawbacks that users should consider when deciding whether to use the platform.
Outbrain - Comparison with Competitors
Alternatives to Outbrain
When considering alternatives to Outbrain in the media tools and AI-driven product category, several competitors stand out for their unique features and capabilities.Taboola
Taboola is one of the most significant competitors to Outbrain. It is known for its high-quality publishers, including MSN, USA TODAY, and Business Insider. Taboola offers granular site targeting and is cost-effective, with a public API available for integrations. However, it requires trial and error to find successful ad creatives, and its user interface can be difficult and time-consuming to use. Additionally, data delays are common.Nativo
Nativo focuses on content-based advertising, using machine learning and artificial intelligence to distribute branded content in trusted environments. It automates the distribution of content to engage audiences and provides tools for content activation, scaling, measurement, and audience insights. Nativo is particularly useful for advertisers looking to bridge the gap between awareness and action.Sharethrough
Sharethrough operates as an omnichannel ad exchange company in the programmatic advertising industry. It offers advertisement and technology solutions, enabling programmatic native advertising across various channels. Sharethrough is known for its ability to manage and optimize ad campaigns efficiently, making it a strong alternative for those seeking comprehensive programmatic solutions.Yahoo Gemini
Yahoo Gemini, now part of Verizon’s Oath division, offers native ad solutions with a significant reach across premium websites and mobile apps. It is notable for its ease of use, with an intuitive wizard for launching ad campaigns, and excellent targeting options, including age and gender demographics. However, it has issues with vague reasons for disapproved ads and requires monitoring for fraud and bot traffic.Ligatus
Ligatus is a strong competitor in European markets, with over 1,400 partners across 10 European countries. It offers programmatic native advertising campaigns on a cost per click (CPC), cost per lead (CPL), and cost per thousand (CPM) basis. Ligatus is known for its selective and transparent network of premium publishers and strict advertising guidelines for brand safety. However, its self-serve tools are not very intuitive, and it lacks an API for integrations.TripleLift
TripleLift is a programmatic advertising platform that provides digital advertising solutions across various screens, including online video, connected television, display, and native ads. It offers media formats and targeting solutions using first-party data, serving brands, demand-side platforms, and premium publishers. TripleLift is particularly strong in providing services that cater to a wide range of digital advertising needs.Media.net
Media.net, though not as large as Outbrain in terms of market share and customer base, is another competitor in the ad serving category. It has a significant presence in the United States and offers contextual advertising solutions. However, it has fewer customers compared to Outbrain and is ranked lower in the ad serving market.Conclusion
Each of these alternatives offers unique advantages and may be more suitable depending on your specific needs, such as the type of advertising, target audience, and the level of technical support required. For instance, if ease of use is a priority, Yahoo Gemini might be a good choice. If you are looking for a strong presence in European markets, Ligatus could be the way to go. For those needing advanced programmatic solutions, Sharethrough or TripleLift might be more appropriate. Outbrain - Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions about Outbrain
What is Outbrain and what does it do?
Outbrain is a technology platform that connects businesses with engaged audiences using AI prediction technology. It helps drive better marketing and publisher results by delivering impactful branding and performance-driven advertising across various media environments, including native, display, and video ads.How does Outbrain’s pricing and billing model work?
Outbrain operates on a Cost-Per-Click (CPC) pricing model. You are charged for the number of clicks your campaign receives, based on the CPC you set. For example, if you set a campaign budget to $20 and the CPC to $0.03, you will pay $0.03 for every click until you hit your budget cap. There is also a processing fee of 3% for credit card payments.What are the key features of Outbrain’s platform?
Outbrain’s platform is known for its user-friendly interface, making it easy for advertisers to get started. Key features include:- Real-time data dashboards that provide live updates on campaign performance such as impressions, spend, clicks, and click-through rates.
- Automated and manual campaign modes, allowing for customization and control.
- AI-generated ads that simplify the ad creation process.
- Extensive reporting features that allow advertisers to track, analyze, and optimize their campaigns with precision.
How does Outbrain’s acquisition of Teads impact its services?
The acquisition of Teads by Outbrain has created a merged entity operating under the name Teads, which is now an omnichannel outcomes platform for the open internet. This merger combines Outbrain’s predictive technology and AI optimization with Teads’ premium media environments, offering a scaled end-to-end platform that drives outcomes from branding to purchase across various screens, including CTV and digital moments.What kind of data and targeting capabilities does Outbrain offer?
Outbrain offers extensive data-driven targeting capabilities, including:- Contextual and audience targeting powered by its proprietary Omnichannel Graph.
- Processing of 1 billion engagement and contextual signals each minute.
- Access to 130,000 articles scanned per minute and 500,000 CTV programs enriched with data per month.
- Expanded targeting capabilities across screens, connecting CTV experiences to digital moments.
How does Outbrain integrate AI and machine learning into its services?
Outbrain integrates AI and machine learning through its proprietary prediction engine, which has been cultivated over 18 years. The platform processes 4 billion signals each minute via AI and machine learning, using 50 live AI models to drive performance outcomes. Additionally, Outbrain has deepened its collaboration with Microsoft to integrate generative AI solutions, enabling more advanced and relevant content delivery for audiences.What kind of support and reporting does Outbrain offer to advertisers?
Outbrain provides comprehensive reporting features that allow advertisers to track, analyze, and optimize their campaigns. The platform offers a real-time data dashboard, detailed campaign performance metrics, and the ability to slice and dice data by various parameters such as date range, campaign, content, and device type. This helps advertisers make informed decisions and adjust their campaigns accordingly.How does Outbrain ensure the quality and engagement of the ads it delivers?
Outbrain ensures high-quality and engaging ads through its context-first approach, which optimizes relevance and impact while respecting end users. The platform also offers data-driven creative solutions designed to connect brand moments across the marketing funnel, resulting in higher attention and engagement rates, such as 74% higher attention for unique CTV native creative.Can Outbrain help with ad creation for novice advertisers?
Yes, Outbrain offers AI-generated ads that simplify the ad creation process, making it more straightforward for novice advertisers. This feature, along with the platform’s automated mode, helps demystify the process of creating native advertising.How does Outbrain handle billing and account management?
Outbrain charges accounts based on the actual spend accrued, with a billing cycle that reflects round amounts. Advertisers can manage their account balance, view previous invoices, and download receipts through the Payments tab in their dashboard. Additionally, Outbrain provides clear visibility into campaign spend and allows for adjustments to be made in real-time. Outbrain - Conclusion and Recommendation
Final Assessment of Outbrain in the Media Tools AI-Driven Product Category
Outbrain is a formidable player in the content discovery and advertising space, leveraging AI to enhance user engagement and advertiser effectiveness. Here’s a comprehensive look at who would benefit most from using Outbrain and an overall recommendation.Key Benefits and Features
AI-Powered Tools
- Image Optimizer: Automates the creation of optimized ad creatives based on top-performing images.
- Advanced Title Generator: Crafts effective ad titles personalized to the target audience.