Header Bidding Analyzer & Prebid Audit
Detect your Prebid.js version, analyze configured demand partners, evaluate timeout settings, and benchmark your header bidding setup against best practices. No code access required.
Header bidding analysis is included in every RevenueRx audit. No signup required.
What our header bidding audit covers
We intercept ad requests in real-time to analyze your complete header bidding setup.
Prebid.js version detection
Identifies your Prebid.js version and flags if it's outdated. Newer versions bring CPM improvements of 5-15% through better auction mechanics.
Demand partner analysis
Detects all configured bidders and evaluates diversity. We check for major SSPs like AppNexus, Rubicon, PubMatic, Index Exchange, and 20+ more.
Timeout configuration
Evaluates your auction timeout settings. Too low (under 1000ms) and you miss bids; too high (over 3000ms) and you hurt user experience.
Price granularity settings
Checks your price bucket configuration. Incorrect granularity can cause you to leave money on the table or reduce bid competition.
Amazon TAM/APS detection
Detects if you're running Amazon's Transparent Ad Marketplace alongside or instead of Prebid, and evaluates the integration.
Google Ad Manager integration
Validates your GPT (Google Publisher Tag) setup and how header bidding integrates with your primary ad server.
Why header bidding optimization matters
20-50%
CPM uplift over waterfall setups
5-8
optimal number of demand partners
1500ms
recommended starting timeout
Header bidding creates real-time competition for every impression. But misconfigured setups — outdated Prebid versions, too few bidders, wrong timeouts — silently drain 15-30% of potential revenue. Most publishers don't realize they have a problem until they audit.
Header bidding optimization checklist
Running the latest stable Prebid.js version
5-8 diverse demand partners configured
Timeout set between 1200-2000ms
Price granularity configured for your CPM range
Floor prices set with dynamic floors module
Prebid Server enabled for mobile traffic
All bidders declared in ads.txt with DIRECT entries
Prebid analytics adapter active for performance monitoring
Frequently asked questions
What is header bidding?
Header bidding is a programmatic advertising technique that lets publishers offer ad inventory to multiple demand sources simultaneously before calling their ad server. This creates real competition for every impression, typically increasing CPMs by 20-50% compared to traditional waterfall setups where demand sources are called sequentially.
How many demand partners should I have?
The optimal range is 5-8 demand partners. Fewer than 3 limits competition and CPMs. More than 10 adds latency that hurts page load and user experience without proportional revenue gains. The right mix depends on your geography, content vertical, and traffic volume.
What Prebid.js version should I be running?
Always run the latest stable version. Each major version brings CPM improvements (typically 5-15%) through better auction mechanics, new adapter support, and security patches. Set a quarterly reminder to check for updates.
What should my timeout be set to?
Start with 1500ms. Below 1000ms you miss bids from slower but high-paying partners. Above 3000ms you delay ad rendering and hurt viewability. Use Prebid's analytics to find where you capture 95%+ of bids with acceptable latency.
Should I use Prebid Server for mobile?
Yes, for most publishers. Client-side header bidding on mobile is expensive — each bidder adds JavaScript execution on constrained processors. Prebid Server moves the auction server-side, reducing client JavaScript by 60-80%. The trade-off is slightly lower cookie match rates.
Related resources
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