How to Configure and Track Spending and ROI

Overview

Monetization only scales when spending is controlled and performance is measurable.

This guide explains how to:

• Configure demand sources (internal and third-party)
• Control where budget flows
• Track revenue, margin, and performance
• Report ROI to brands, agencies, and partners

This applies to Retail Media Networks (RMN), Commerce Media Networks (CMN), enterprise brands, and agencies operating within Genuin.

Part 1: Configure Spending Sources

Spending enters your network from two primary sources:

1. Internal Brand Profiles (direct via Genuin infrastructure)
2. Third-Party Ad Servers / Programmatic Partners

Understanding the difference is critical for compliance and margin control.

Option A: Internal Sponsored Posts (Direct via Genuin)

Sponsored Posts coming from internal brand profiles:

• Are served via Genuin infrastructure
• Do not require ads.txt
• Do not require sellers.json
• Are fully context-aligned
• Offer higher transparency

Best for:

• Category sponsorships
• Highlight placements
• Subscription-based access
• Direct brand partnerships

Option B: Third-Party Ad Server / Programmatic

When activating external demand:

• Requires ads.txt update
• Requires sellers.json configuration
• Supports DealID activation
• Supports 300x250 and 300x600 formats
• Enables audio on desktop and mobile web
• Integrates with partners like PubMatic, Magnite, Index Exchange

This is ideal for:

• In-Stream (Pre/Mid/End Roll)
• In-Feed vertical video ads
• Session takeovers
• PG/PMP audience extension

Part 2: Define Budget Allocation Strategy

Spending should follow a structured revenue layering approach.

Revenue Allocation Framework

Premium Sponsorship

⬇

Programmatic In-Stream

⬇

In-Feed Vertical Ads

⬇

Extended O&O

⬇

PG/PMP Audience Extension

This structure protects premium inventory while maximizing fill.

Part 3: Configure Frequency and Cadence

Avoid oversaturating your feed.

This preserves user engagement and increases completion rates.

Part 4: Enable ROI Tracking in Reporting

Navigate to Monetize > Reporting.

Track performance across:

• Supply (where ads appear)
• Demand (who is paying)
• Placement type
• Category
• Format
• Date range
• Revenue totals vs ratios

Part 5: Track ROI by Stakeholder Type

ROI expectations differ depending on who is investing.

For RMN / CMN

Track:

• Total brand spend flowing through placements
• Premium vs programmatic split
• Incremental revenue from Extended O&O
• Margin uplift from audience extension

Objective: Capture more brand budget in premium, contextual environments.

For Enterprise Brands

Track:

• Awareness lift (impressions + completion)
• Engagement rates
• Direct shoppable link-outs
• Category-level performance

Objective: Drive discovery in trusted, brand-aligned environments.

For Agencies

Track:

• DealID performance
• PG/PMP efficiency
• Completion vs industry benchmarks
• Cross-property reach

Objective: Demonstrate efficient spend vs open-web alternatives.

Part 6: Attribution Setup

ROI requires tracking engagement beyond impressions.

Use structured link parameters when applicable:

https://brand.com/offer?source=genuin&utm_campaign=category_sponsorship

This enables:

• Campaign-level attribution
• Placement-level performance
• Category-based reporting

Attribution Flow

Scroll

⬇

Engage

⬇

Click

⬇

Convert

Part 7: Measure Incremental Lift

To demonstrate ROI clearly, compare baseline vs activated performance.

Part 8: Identity-Mapped Advantage

When deployed in logged-in environments:

• Users are verified
• Content is contextual
• Engagement is intent-based

This allows you to position inventory as:

• OTT-quality video
• OLV premium supply
• Multimedia / rich media environment

Higher trust > Higher CPM > Higher ROI.

Part 9: Compliance Checklist

Best Practices

• Protect premium placements first.
• Use programmatic as fill, not replacement.
• Extend inventory only after onsite optimization.
• Monitor category performance weekly.
• Rebalance budget toward highest completion + CPM categories.
• Maintain contextual integrity - relevance drives ROI.

What Success Looks Like

You have:

• Controlled spending sources
• Clear demand segmentation
• Transparent reporting
• Attribution visibility
• Incremental revenue growth
• High completion contextual video
• Expanded network margin

Spending becomes predictable.

ROI becomes measurable.

Monetization becomes scalable.