Getting started with supply integrations

NOTE: This guide is intended for supply-side platforms (SSPs) or exchanges that offer scaled, differentiated, performant inventory from multiple sellers and who have the technical capability to integrate with The Trade Desk. Publishers interested in a direct integration with The Trade Desk, see Getting started with OpenPath.

If you are an SSP or exchange interested in integrating with The Trade Desk, you must evaluate your inventory and complete a number of preparation steps. The entire process consists of five phases and requires close collaboration with The Trade Desk inventory integration team:

1. Your inventory evaluation by The Trade Desk
2. Preparation and kick-off
3. Configuration and development
4. Testing
5. Going live and post-launch monitoring

TIP: If you are already communicating with a buyer using The Trade Desk platform, who is interested in accessing your inventory, we recommend asking the buyer to request access from their Technical Account Manager at The Trade Desk.

The following sections provide a high-level outline of what you need to know and do to get ready for the kick-off call with The Trade Desk integration team.

Inventory evaluation

Here's what you need to consider for inventory evaluation:

• As a largely self-service DSP, the vast majority of our SSP integrations are established with buyer interests in mind and with an eye toward unique supply or technology.
• We support inventory across the following channels:
  • Display
  • Video
  • Audio
  • Native
  • Mobile (in-app and web)
  • Connected TV (CTV)
  • Digital Out of Home (DOOH)
• We support inventory globally, with a few regional restrictions.

For abbreviations and term definitions, see Glossary.

Integration considerations

Here's what you need to know and do when considering a supply integration with us:

• The Trade Desk currently supports integrations based off OpenRTB versions 2.5 and 2.6. In rare cases, we might consider an integration using the Protobuf specification.
• You will receive a technical questionnaire that will help you capture all the required input to determine integration fit, value, and benefit. The questionnaire will also help us evaluate supply at the site and app level and check for adherence to industry and The Trade Desk standards regarding privacy, auction mechanics, and transparency.
• We strongly encourage that you review our marketplace quality guidelines and inventory policies prior to completing the questionnaire. This will ensure a quick and successful evaluation.
• Should The Trade Desk agree to move forward with an integration, you will be required to sign the requisite paperwork, create a Coupa account linked to The Trade Desk, and provide your logo, company description, and billing information.

Get ready for the kick-off call

The following table outlines the key steps that you need to take to ensure a smooth evaluation process.

Following the kick-off call and after receiving your API credentials, you will be able to access our Easy Proposal Activation (EPA) API and onboard as a supply vendor though Coupa.

Onboard with Coupa

For supply vendor purchase orders, invoices, and payments, you must have a Coupa account linked to The Trade Desk. The following is a high-level workflow for onboarding a supply vendor in Coupa.

1. The Trade Desk sends you an invitation to create an account in the Coupa Supplier Portal (CSP). The email comes from do_not_reply@supplier.coupahost.com. Be sure it doesn't go to spam or get blocked by IT security.
2. You, as the supply vendor, create the CSP account, complete the supplier onboarding form, and submit the form within 30 days. If you already have a CSP account, share its associated email address with your Account Manager.
3. The Trade Desk connects with your CSP account.
4. The Trade Desk Accounts Payable (AP) team reviews your onboarding form and may ask follow up questions.
5. To comply with fraud prevention measures, an AP team member verbally confirms your banking information.

For details, see Coupa Global Supplier Resources and its PDF guides for onboarding new supply vendors and managing existing ones.

Create invoices

As an SSP, you're required to create an invoice and send it to The Trade Desk. Here's what you need to know:

• Purchase orders (POs) are sent from The Trade Desk in the first 3-5 business days of the month. Reference the PO number emailed through Coupa for your monthly invoice. Here is a downloadable example of a PO.
• Include the Human fee as a separate line item on the invoice unless you have a direct partnership with HUMAN.
• For reference, here are downloadable examples of US and UK invoices.

Submit invoices by the deadline in the contract using one of the following options.

FAQs

Here are answers to commonly asked questions about supply integrations.

How do I set up inbound reporting (from the SSP to The Trade Desk)?

For inbound reporting, see Daily reports via direct upload.

What is the HUMAN fee? How is it calculated?

A HUMAN fee is a charge associated with using HUMAN cybersecurity tools to help scan and block fraudulent biddable impressions before purchase. Ask your representative from The Trade Desk Inventory Management team for a template to calculate the monthly HUMAN fee for your invoice.

Generally, the HUMAN fee is calculated using the following method.