Marketplace FAQs

Captivate Marketplace offers a seamless option to automate your podcast’s monetization. Questions about Captivate Marketplace? We’ve got you covered!

Getting Started

What is Captivate Marketplace?

Captivate’s Marketplace, powered by DAX US, allows podcasters to sell ad slots in their podcast catalogue, and advertisers to places approved ads in your episodes. You can choose how many slots you have per episode, control the content of the ads, and the price you want to set for each slot.

Who can use Captivate Marketplace?

At launch, Captivate Marketplace will be available as a beta rollout in the US, with more countries to follow in due course.

How do I join Captivate Marketplace?

It’s as easy as clicking the Marketplace tab in your Captivate dashboard, under the Monetization section. Learn more here.

Is there a cost to participate?

There isn’t any additional cost on your existing Captivate plan - instead, we work on a percentage split with you.

Ad Inventory & Control

How many ad slots can I create per episode?

You can create as many as you wish, with up to three ads per slot. However, as a best practice recommendation, we suggest 15 minutes of your normal episode audio between ads. So, if you have a 1 hour episode, and you have pre rolls and post rolls, have the first mid roll around the 15 minute, mark, the second at the 30 minute mark, and so on.

Can I choose which episodes contain ads?

Yes, it’s entirely up to you where and when you place the ad slots.

Can I exclude certain episodes or shows from the marketplace?

Yes, it’s fully opt-in and you manage the placement and what’s available.

Can I change my ad slot settings after they've been created?

Yes, you can change out ads at any time. However, this needs to be in agreement with the advertiser if the campaign is remaining active - you can reach out via the Marketplace chat box to discuss this with the advertiser.

Can I approve ads before they run?

Yes, because you’re approving the ad and creative/media file from the advertiser.

Pricing & Revenue

How do I set my ad rates?

Ad rates are based on ad budget and max impressions, and this will determine what the CPM (cost per thousand impression) is.

Can I set different prices for different podcasts or ad slots?

Yes, you can negotiate with the advertiser on different rates, based off their initial contact and campaign overview.

What determines whether an advertiser buys my inventory?

There are multiple factors: what genre your podcast is, where your audience is geographically, how many downloads you get per month, is your show explicit or not, etc.

How much money can I expect to earn?

This also depends on multiple factors: number of downloads per month, number and position of ad slots allowed per episode, categories of advertisers you block, what genre your podcast is, where geographically your downloads come from, etc.

What payment methods are supported?

Captivate Marketplace uses Stripe for payouts - this is managed via your dashboard.

Is there a minimum payout threshold?

Yes, there is a $20 minimum payout threshold. If you do not make that level in a month, what you made will keep rolling over until you hit the minimum payout threshold.

Does Captivate take a percentage?

Yes, the default split is 75/25, meaning you receive 75% of any approved campaign while Captivate receives 25%.

Ad Delivery & Performance

How are ads inserted into my episodes?

You select the slots where ads will appear (pre roll, mid roll, post roll) and how many per slot, and the campaign around these slots, and then we will use the provided audio file from the advertiser to be placed in the relevant ad slot.

Will ads appear in old episodes?

Yes, you can choose to include ads across your whole back catalog.

Can ads be targeted by geography?

This will be coming soon after launch.

How long are the ads?

This is dependent on the advertiser and the promo they’d like you to run, and what you agree to with them.

What types of ads are available?

There are three types: pre roll (before the episode audio starts), mid roll (during the episode), and post roll (after the episode audio finishes).

Can an advertiser buy multiple slots in the same episode?

Yes, but this is not typical. Most advertisers do not want to run more than once in an episode.

What analytics will I receive?

You will receive impression data for ads.

Can I track ad performance and revenue in Captivate?

Yes, you can view this data in your Captivate dashboard.

Ad Management

Will listeners hear different ads?

If you target based on geography (when that feature is released), listeners can hear different ads. For example, if your pre roll campaign is generic, but then you want to target a regional audience for a live appearance, that audience will hear that live appearance ad, while everyone else will hear the usual pre roll.

Will ads affect my existing sponsorships?

No, ads are separate from any existing sponsor deals and placements you already run. Think of Captivate Marketplace as complementing those.

Can I keep selling host-read ads directly?

Yes, the Captivate Marketplace is meant to complement your current monetization activities.

Can I reserve certain ad slots for my own sponsors?

Yes, you can choose which ad slots are for your own promos, and which are for automated ads.

Can I use ad slots to promote my own podcast or products?

Yes, Campaign Management is perfect for this, and lets you run your own promos as well as those from advertisers in the same episode(s).

About DAX US and Captivate

Who is DAX US?

DAX US is a pioneering digital advertising exchange connecting brands with audiences at scale across music, radio, podcasts, and mobile games. We’re partnering with DAX US to leverage their bank of advertisers for your podcast, meaning there’s a whole heap of brands out there waiting to buy your ad space!

Are ads compliant with advertising regulations?

Yes, all advertisers have to meet the IAB requirements for advertising, including brand safety vetting.

Where can I report an inappropriate ad?

Email policy@captivate.fm to report any issues you have with ads on your podcast. Please include the name of your podcast and details about the inappropriate ad.

Updated on: 24/06/2026