Does Sovrn enforce a ceiling for tmax?

Yes. Sovrn enforces a tmax ceiling of 500ms. tmax is the OpenRTB field that specifies the maximum time, in milliseconds, that Sovrn allows for bids to be received before the request times out. Even if you pass a higher value, Sovrn's limit is 500ms.

What tmax controls

In Sovrn's oRTB specification, tmax defines the maximum time in milliseconds that the Sovrn Ad Exchange will wait for bids to come back on a given request. A tmax that's too short can cut off valid bids before they arrive, while an unnecessarily long one adds latency; the 500ms ceiling keeps auctions fast without discarding legitimate demand.

What the 500ms ceiling means for you

Because the Sovrn Ad Exchange caps tmax at 500ms, you should set your tmax at or below that limit. Passing a value above 500ms will not extend the auction window beyond Sovrn's ceiling. Setting an appropriate tmax helps ensure buyers have enough time to respond while keeping the ad request efficient.


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