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Inventory groups overview

Uncover the purpose of inventory groups; and learn the key differences between Open Exchange, PMP, Contextual, and Curated ones.

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Written by Team IQM
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Inventory groups overview

An inventory group is a collection of inventory sources. The collection is categorized based on specific criteria such as ad format, placement type, or other relevant attributes that each inventory source has in common. You’ll group inventory when you want to target or block the same set of inventory across multiple campaigns to streamline your operations and manage your campaigns effectively.

Create and target custom Open Exchange, PMP, or Contextual inventory groups; or take advantage of Curated inventory groups.

Open Exchange inventory groups

Open Exchange inventory is available to all bidders in a programmatic auction. This “raw” inventory is listed in the Inventory app for targeting individually, or for targeting via groups that you form based on shared characteristics.

When you create an Open Exchange inventory group, you specify criteria such as where you want the ads to be published (countries, device types), which SSPs you’d like to target inventory from, what device types you’d like to serve on, and more. Consolidate the inventory of your choice into a single collection, then target or block the group across multiple campaigns. Refer to Create or manage an inventory group (Link) for more details and step-by-step instructions.

Private Marketplace (PMP) inventory groups

Private Marketplace (PMP) deals are used to purchase ad inventory through a private, invitation-only auction. Unlike Open Exchange inventory, PMP deals provide more control and premium inventory.

PMP groups consolidate the PMP deals of your choice into a single collection. Target or block this same group of PMP deals across multiple campaigns. Refer to Create or manage an inventory group for more details and step-by-step instructions.

Contextual inventory groups

More on contextual targeting: Targeting contextual inventory is one way to reach users based on a site’s keywords or URL. Targeting contextual audiences is another way. These audiences are formed by grouping users together based on their online activity. You determine these groups by indicating a list of relevant keywords and/or URLs and a timeframe. We add a user to the contextual audience when they visit sites that feature those keywords or URLs, browse them during the time period you select, and meet any other parameters that you specify during audience setup. Refer to Contextual audience overview for more information.

Contextual inventory groups rely on contextual signals to target ads based on the content of a webpage or a given URL. Delivering ads alongside relevant content helps ensure alignment with users’ interest and intent, and can lead to higher engagement.

When you create a contextual inventory group, you specify the specific keywords and/or URLs that you’d like to target, then add the group to a campaign. Refer to Create or manage an inventory group for more details and step-by-step instructions.

Curated inventory groups

Unlike custom Open Exchange, PMP, and Contextual inventory groups, Curated inventory groups are readily available. They include collections of inventory that are grouped based on device type and content-subject-matter categories.

Refer to Curated inventory groups overview for more information, including how to access and target these groups.

Inventory search filters

You’ll apply search terms and filters to narrow a list of inventory by the criteria of your choice. These filters differ based on the type of inventory group that you’re creating, and each inventory group’s supported filters are located in that group’s left-hand side panel.

Open Exchange search filters

Filter Type

Supported for Open Exchange

Search bar

Inventory list upload

Keyword list upload

URL list upload

Country

Device types

Channels

Ad formats

Creative sizes

IAB categories

Exchanges

Deal status

PMP search filters

Filter Type

Supported for PMP

Search bar

Inventory list upload

Keyword list upload

URL list upload

Country

Device types

Channels

Ad formats

Creative sizes

IAB categories

Exchanges

Deal status

Contextual search filters

Filter Type

Supported for Contextual

Search bar

Inventory list upload

Keyword list upload

URL list upload

Country

Device types

Channels

Ad formats

Creative sizes

IAB categories

Exchanges

Deal status

Inventory group type identifiers

There are three ways to identify whether an existing inventory group includes Open Exchange, PMP, or Contextual inventory.

  1. Refer to the icon next to the inventory group’s name.

    1. The arrow icon represents Open Exchange inventory groups.

    2. The shield icon represents PMP inventory groups.

    3. The target icon represents Contextual inventory groups.

  2. Check the text directly below the inventory group’s name: Inventories (Open Exchange), PMP Deals, or Contextual.

  3. Click on an inventory group, and review the group type listed next to its name.

Locate additional inventory group resources

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