Synacor 10-Q 14 Nov 14 2014 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Nov. 06, 2014
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]	'	'
Entity Registrant Name	'Synacor, Inc.	'
Entity Central Index Key	'0001408278	'
Document Type	'10-Q	'
Document Period End Date	30-Sep-14	'
Amendment Flag	'false	'
Document Fiscal Year Focus	'2014	'
Document Fiscal Period Focus	'Q3	'
Current Fiscal Year End Date	'--12-31	'
Entity Filer Category	'Non-accelerated Filer	'
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding	'	27,380,870

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets—Unaudited (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
CURRENT ASSETS:	'	'
Cash and cash equivalents	$24,359	$36,397
Accounts receivable—net of allowance of $76 and $328	16,908	14,569
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	1,790	1,691
Deferred income taxes	1,150	314
Total current assets	44,207	52,971
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT—Net	15,536	14,085
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES, NON-CURRENT	6,255	4,455
OTHER LONG-TERM ASSETS	127	348
GOODWILL	1,565	1,565
CONVERTIBLE PROMISSORY NOTE	1,000	1,000
INVESTMENT IN EQUITY INTEREST	141	365
TOTAL ASSETS	68,831	74,789
CURRENT LIABILITIES:	'	'
Accounts payable	10,794	13,573
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	7,050	5,177
Current portion of capital lease obligations	1,276	1,946
Total current liabilities	19,120	20,696
LONG-TERM PORTION OF CAPITAL LEASE OBLIGATIONS	1,344	885
OTHER LONG-TERM LIABILITIES	366	977
Total liabilities	20,830	22,558
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES	'	'
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:	'	'
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value—10,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2014	0	0
Common stock, $0.01 par value—100,000,000 shares authorized, 27,684,598 issued and 27,365,098 outstanding at December 31, 2013, and 100,000,000 authorized, 27,931,603 issued and 27,379,450 shares outstanding at September 30, 2014	279	277
Treasury stock—at cost, 319,500 shares at December 31, 2013 and 552,153 shares at September 30, 2014	-1,141	-569
Additional paid-in capital	105,075	102,226
Accumulated deficit	-56,220	-49,705
Accumulated other comprehensive income	8	2
Total stockholders’ equity	48,001	52,231
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY	$68,831	$74,789

Condensed_Consolidated_Balance1

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets—Unaudited (Parenthetical) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]	'	'
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$328	$76
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Preferred stock, shares authorized	10,000,000	10,000,000
Preferred stock, shares issued	0	0
Preferred stock, shares outstanding	0	0
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	100,000,000	100,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	27,931,603	27,684,598
Common stock, shares outstanding	27,379,450	27,365,098
Treasury stock, shares	552,153	319,500

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations—Unaudited (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Income Statement [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
REVENUE	$26,231	$26,551	$75,670	$82,402
COSTS AND OPERATING EXPENSES:	'	'	'	'
Cost of revenue (exclusive of depreciation shown separately below)	14,386	14,083	41,404	43,864
Research and development (exclusive of depreciation shown separately below)	7,577	7,404	22,188	21,548
Sales and marketing	2,601	2,058	7,194	6,332
General and administrative (exclusive of depreciation shown separately below)	4,090	2,805	10,689	8,772
Depreciation	1,133	1,119	3,308	3,387
Gain on sale of domain	0	0	-1,000	0
Total costs and operating expenses	29,787	27,469	83,783	83,903
LOSS FROM OPERATIONS	-3,556	-918	-8,113	-1,501
OTHER EXPENSE	-14	-15	0	-30
INTEREST EXPENSE	-75	-39	-186	-140
LOSS BEFORE INCOME TAXES AND EQUITY INTEREST	-3,645	-972	-8,299	-1,671
BENEFIT FOR INCOME TAXES	-1,288	-260	-2,613	-446
LOSS IN EQUITY INTEREST	-239	-120	-829	-314
NET LOSS	($2,596)	($832)	($6,515)	($1,539)
NET LOSS PER SHARE:	'	'	'	'
Basic (in dollars per share)	($0.09)	($0.03)	($0.24)	($0.06)
Diluted (in dollars per share)	($0.09)	($0.03)	($0.24)	($0.06)
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES USED TO COMPUTE NET LOSS PER SHARE:	'	'	'	'
Basic (in shares)	27,378,299	27,333,693	27,391,159	27,293,898
Diluted (in shares)	27,378,299	27,333,693	27,391,159	27,293,898

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme1

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss—Unaudited (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Net loss	($2,596)	($832)	($6,515)	($1,539)
Other comprehensive income (loss):	'	'	'	'
Change in foreign currency translation adjustment	-3	1	6	7
Comprehensive loss	($2,599)	($831)	($6,509)	($1,532)

Condensed_Consolidated_Stateme2

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows—Unaudited (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:	'	'
Net loss	($6,515)	($1,539)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided (used) in operating activities:	'	'
Depreciation	3,308	3,387
Stock-based compensation expense	2,754	1,862
Gain on sale of domain	-1,000	0
Provision for deferred income taxes	-2,636	-468
Loss in equity interest	829	314
Change in assets and liabilities, net of effect of acquisition:	'	'
Accounts receivable, net	-2,338	1,265
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	-84	-408
Other long-term assets	221	115
Accounts payable	-2,099	-2,586
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	1,877	-1,246
Other long-term liabilities	-611	64
Net cash provided (used) in operating activities	-6,294	760
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:	'	'
Purchases of property and equipment	-3,945	-4,550
Investment in equity interest	-605	-400
Proceeds from sale of domain	1,000	0
Cash paid for business acquisition	0	-500
Purchase of convertible promissory note	0	-1,000
Net cash used in investing activities	-3,550	-6,450
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:	'	'
Repayments on capital lease obligations	-1,700	-1,662
Proceeds from exercise of common stock options	62	179
Purchase of treasury stock	-562	0
Net cash used in financing activities	-2,200	-1,483
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	6	7
NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS	-12,038	-7,166
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS—Beginning of period	36,397	41,944
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS—End of period	24,359	34,778
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:	'	'
Cash paid for interest	186	125
Cash paid for income taxes	112	138
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING TRANSACTIONS:	'	'
Property and equipment financed under capital lease obligations	1,458	490
Service agreement financed under capital lease obligations	31	0
Accrued property and equipment expenditures	39	808
Stock based compensation capitalized to property and equipment	37	0
Treasury stock received to satisfy minimum tax withholding liabilities	$9	$0

The_Company_and_Summary_of_Sig

The Company and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
The Company and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	'
	The Company and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
	Synacor, Inc., together with its consolidated subsidiary, Synacor Canada, Inc. (collectively, the “Company”), is a leading provider of start experiences (startpages and homescreens), TV Everywhere, Identity Management (“IDM”) and various cloud-based services across multiple devices for cable, satellite, telecom and consumer electronics companies. The Company is also a leading provider of authentication and aggregation solutions enabling the delivery of personalized online content. The Company's technology allows its customers to package a wide array of personalized online content and cloud-based services with their high-speed Internet, communications, television and other digital offerings. The Company's customers offer the Company's services under their own brands on Internet-enabled devices such as PCs, tablets, smartphones and connected TVs.
	Basis of Presentation — The interim unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) and include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiary. Investments in entities in which the Company can exercise significant influence, but does not own a majority equity interest or otherwise have the power to control, are accounted for using the equity method and are included as investments in equity interest on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. In the opinion of the Company’s management, the interim unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include all adjustments, which include only normal recurring adjustments, necessary for the fair presentation of the Company’s financial position for the periods presented. These interim unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for the full fiscal year or for any subsequent period and should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and related notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013 (as amended).
	Accounting Estimates — The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the amounts reported and disclosed in the consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities. Such estimates primarily relate to unsettled transactions and events as of the date of the consolidated financial statements. Accordingly, actual results may differ from estimated amounts.
	Concentrations of Risk — As of December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2014, and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014, the Company had concentrations equal to or exceeding 10% of the Company’s accounts receivable and revenue as follows:
		Accounts Receivable
		December 31,		September 31,
		2013		2014
	Google	47	%	22	%
	Display Advertising Partner	11	%	10	%
		Revenue				Revenue
		Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
		September 30,				September 30,
		2013		2014		2013		2014
	Google	50	%	39	%	52	%	45	%
	For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014, the following customers received revenue-share payments equal to or exceeding 10% of the Company’s cost of revenue. The costs represent revenue share paid to customers for their supply of Internet traffic on the Company's start experiences:
		Cost of Revenue				Cost of Revenue
		Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
		September 30,				September 30,
		2013		2014		2013		2014
	Customer A	24	%	22	%	21	%	23	%
	Customer B	13	%	14	%	13	%	13	%
	Customer C (1)	10	%	N/A		11	%	10	%
	Customer D	15	%	16	%	13	%	12	%
	Notes:
	-1	For the three months ended September 30, 2014, the cost of revenue-share payments received by Customer C were less than 10%.
	Sale of Domain — In June 2014, the Company executed a transaction to sell a domain name of its legacy business. The sale amounted to $1.0 million and the entire amount was recorded as a gain on the sale in the consolidated statement of operations during the second quarter of 2014.
	Rights Plan — On July 14, 2014 the board of directors declared a dividend of one preferred share purchase right (a “Right”) for each outstanding share of the Company’s common stock and adopted a stockholder rights plan (the “Rights Plan”). The dividend was paid on July 14, 2014 to the stockholders of record at the close of business on that date. Each Right allows its holder to purchase from the Company one one-hundredth of a share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock (a “ Series A Junior Preferred Share”) for $10.00 per share (the “Exercise Price”), if the Rights become exercisable. This portion of a Series A Junior Preferred Share will give the stockholder approximately the same dividend, voting, and liquidation rights as would one share of common stock. Prior to exercise, the Right does not give its holder any dividend, voting, or liquidation rights. On July 14, 2014, in conjunction with the adoption of the Rights Plan, the Company designated 2,000,000 shares of its Preferred Stock as Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock.
	The Rights will not be exercisable until 10 days after the public announcement that a person or group has become an “Acquiring Person” by obtaining beneficial ownership of 10% or more of the Company’s outstanding common stock (the “Distribution Date”). If a person or group becomes an Acquiring Person, each Right will entitle its holder (other than such Acquiring Person) to purchase for $10.00 per share, a number of shares of the Company’s common stock having a market value of twice such price based on the market price of the common stock prior to such acquisition. Additionally, if the Company is acquired in a merger or similar transaction after the Distribution Date, each Right will entitle its holder (other than such Acquiring Person) to purchase for $10.00 per share, a number of shares of the acquiring corporation with a market value of $20.00 per share based on the market price of the acquiring corporation’s stock, prior to such merger. In addition, at any time after a person or group becomes an Acquiring Person, but before such Acquiring Person or group owns 50% or more of the Company’s common stock, the board of directors may exchange one share of the Company’s common stock for each outstanding Right (other than Rights owned by such Acquiring Person, which would have become void). An Acquiring Person will not be entitled to exercise the Rights.
	The Rights will expire on July 14, 2017, provided that if the Company’s stockholders have not ratified the Rights Plan by July 14, 2015, the Rights will expire on such date.
	Reduction In Workforce — On September 28, 2014, the Company's board of directors approved a cost reduction plan. The plan involves a reduction in the Company’s workforce by approximately 70 employees. The pretax severance charge and outplacement services resulting from the reduction in workforce, combined with the Company's separation from its former Chief Operating Officer, amounted to $1.3 million. Of the $1.3 million in costs, $0.5 million was recorded to research and development, $0.2 million was recorded to sales and marketing and $0.6 million was recorded to general and administrative in the accompanying statement of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014. As of September 30, 2014, $1.1 million of the reduction in workforce costs remain in accrued expenses and other current liabilities on the condensed consolidated balance sheet.
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements — In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09 (ASU 2014-09) "Revenue from Contracts with Customers." ASU 2014-09 supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in “Revenue Recognition (Topic 605)” and requires entities to recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period. Early adoption is not permitted. The Company is currently in the process of evaluating the impact the adoption of ASU 2014-09 will have on the consolidated financial statements.

Investments_and_Fair_Value_Mea

Investments and Fair Value Measurements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]	'
Investments and Fair Value Measurements	'
	Investments and Fair Value Measurements
	In July 2013, the Company made a $1.0 million investment (in the form of a convertible promissory note) in a privately held Delaware corporation called Blazer and Flip Flops, Inc., or B&FF (doing business as The Experience Engine). B&FF is a professional services company whose principals have experience integrating its customers' systems with their consumers' devices, including smartphones and tablets.
	The investment in B&FF is considered an available-for-sale security and is reported on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets as a convertible promissory note.
	The provisions of the FASB Accounting Standard Codification (“ASC”) 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, establish a framework for measuring the fair value in accordance with U.S. GAAP and establish a hierarchy that categorizes and prioritizes the sources to be used to estimate fair value as follows:
	Level 1 - Level 1 inputs are defined as observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets.
	Level 2 - Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability (interest rates, yield curves, etc.), and inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means (market corroborated inputs).
	Level 3 - Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs that reflect the Company’s determination of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. These inputs are developed based on the best information available, including the Company’s own data.
	The Company classifies its investment in B&FF within Level 3 because it is valued using unobservable inputs. As of September 30, 2014, the estimated fair value is equal to the carrying amount, which was the purchase price of $1.0 million.

Property_and_Equipment_Net

Property and Equipment - Net	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]	'
Property and Equipment - Net	'
	Property and Equipment—Net
	Property and equipment, net consisted of the following:
		December 31,			September 30,
		2013			2014
		(in thousands)
	Computer equipment (1)	$	19,361		$	20,920
	Computer software	4,625			5,241
	Furniture and fixtures	1,634			1,772
	Leasehold improvements	1,044			1,232
	Work in process (primarily software development costs)	3,893			6,148
	Other	173			173
		30,730			35,486
	Less accumulated depreciation (2)	(16,645		)	(19,950		)
	Total property and equipment—net	$	14,085		$	15,536
	Notes:
	-1	Includes equipment under capital lease obligations of $5.3 million and $6.7 million as of December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2014, respectively.
	-2	Includes $2.1 million and $3.0 million of accumulated depreciation of equipment under capital leases as of December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2014, respectively.

Accrued_Expenses_and_Other_Cur

Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]	'
Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities	'
	Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities
	Accrued expenses and other current liabilities consisted of the following:
		December 31,		30-Sep-14
		2013
		(in thousands)
	Accrued compensation	$	2,787	$	4,066
	Accrued content fees	580		1,300
	Unearned revenue on contracts	247		410
	Other	1,563		1,274
	Total	$	5,177	$	7,050

Information_About_Segment_and_

Information About Segment and Geographic Areas	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Information About Segment and Geographic Areas	'
	Information About Segment and Geographic Areas
	Operating segments are components of the Company in which separate financial information is available that is evaluated regularly by the Company’s chief operating decision maker in deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. The chief operating decision maker for the Company is the Chief Executive Officer. The Chief Executive Officer reviews financial information presented on a total Company basis, accompanied by information about revenue by major service line for purposes of allocating resources and evaluating financial performance. Profitability measures by service line are not routinely prepared or used. The Company has one business activity and there are no segment managers who are held accountable for operations, operating results or plans for levels or components below the Company level. Accordingly, the Company has determined that it has a single reporting segment and operating unit structure.
	The following table sets forth revenue and long-lived tangible assets by geographic area:
		Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
		September 30,				September 30,
		2013		2014		2013		2014
		(in thousands)				(in thousands)
	Revenue
	United States	$	26,386	$	26,070	$	81,883	$	75,174
	International	165		161		519		496
	Total revenue	$	26,551	$	26,231	$	82,402	$	75,670
		December 31,		September 30,
		2013		2014
		(in thousands)
	Long-lived tangible assets
	United States	$	13,825	$	15,040
	Canada	—		411
	International	260		85
	Total long-lived tangible assets	$	14,085	$	15,536

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Commitments and Contingencies	'
	Commitments and Contingencies
	Contract Commitments — The Company is obligated to make payments under various contracts with vendors and other business partners, principally for revenue-share and content arrangements. Contract commitments as of September 30, 2014 are summarized as follows:
	Year ending December 31:	(in thousands)
	2014 (remaining three months)	$	1,288
	2015	1,630
	2016	1,080
	2017	360
	2018	—
	Due after 5 years	—
	Total contract commitments	$	4,358
	Teknision Acquisition — The balance of the approximately $1.0 million purchase price to acquire the assets of Teknision, Inc. ("Teknision") is due in May 2015 unless such amount is offset in satisfaction of certain indemnification obligations of Teknision. The remaining payment of $0.5 million is recorded in accrued expenses and other current liabilities on the condensed consolidated balance sheet.
	Litigation — From time to time, the Company is a party to legal actions. In the opinion of management, the outcome of these matters is not expected to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements of the Company.

Equity

Equity	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Equity [Abstract]	'
Equity	'
	Equity
	Common Stock — Effective on February 15, 2012, the Company’s board of directors and stockholders approved the Fifth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation. The total number of common shares that the Company is authorized to issue is 100,000,000 with a par value of $0.01 per share.
	Preferred Stock — Effective on February 15, 2012, the Company’s board of directors and stockholders approved the Fifth Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation. The total number of preferred shares that the Company is authorized to issue is 10,000,000 with a par value of $0.01 per share, 2,000,000 of which have been designated as Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock pursuant to the Rights Plan. None have been issued to date.
	Stock Repurchases — Effective February 26, 2014 the board of directors approved a Stock Repurchase Program, which authorizes a repurchase of up to $5.0 million worth of the Company's outstanding common stock. The Stock Repurchase Program has no expiration date, and may be suspended or discontinued at any time without notice. The Company repurchased all shares with cash resources.
	The following table sets forth the shares of common stock repurchased through the program:
		Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
		September 30,				September 30,
		2013		2014		2013		2014
	Shares of common stock repurchased	—		—		—		229,050
	Value of common stock repurchased (in thousands)	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	562
	Withhold to Cover — During the nine months ended September 30, 2014, certain employees, in lieu of paying withholding taxes on the vesting of certain shares of restricted stock awards, authorized the withholding of 3,603 shares of the Company's common stock to satisfy their minimum statutory tax withholding requirements related to such vesting. These shares were recorded as treasury stock using the cost method at the per share closing price on the date of vesting. No shares of the Company's common stock were withheld to cover minimum statutory tax withholding requirements during the nine months ended September 30, 2013.

Stockbased_Compensation

Stock-based Compensation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Stock-based Compensation	'
	Stock-based Compensation
	The fair value of each stock option was determined on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, and stock-based compensation is recorded over the requisite service period. The Company recorded $0.7 million and $1.2 million of stock-based compensation expense for the three months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014, respectively. Stock-based compensation for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014 amounted to $1.9 million and $2.8 million, respectively. No income tax deduction is allowed for incentive stock options ("ISOs"). Accordingly, no deferred income tax asset is recorded for the potential tax deduction related to these options. Expense related to stock option grants of non-qualified stock options ("NSOs") result in a temporary difference, which gives rise to a deferred tax asset.
	Total stock-based compensation expense included in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations for the periods presented, is as follows :
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2013			2014			2013			2014
		(in thousands)						(in thousands)
	Research and development	$	318		$	691		$	860		$	1,392
	Sales and marketing	97			129			249			361
	General and administrative	268			406			753			1,001
	Total stock-based compensation expense	$	683		$	1,226		$	1,862		$	2,754
	Stock Option Activity — A summary of the stock option activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 is presented below:
		Number of		Weighted			Aggregate			Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years)
		Stock		Average			Intrinsic Value
		Options		Exercise			(in thousands)
				Price
	Outstanding—January 1, 2014	5,770,168		$	3.85
	Granted (1)	4,972,895		$	2.56
	Exercised	(236,755	)	$	0.26
	Forfeited (1)	(2,978,768	)	$	4.5
	Outstanding—September 30, 2014	7,527,540		$	2.85		$	283		7.17
	Vested and expected to vest—September 30, 2014	6,869,530		$	2.89		$	283		6.97
	Vested and exercisable—September 30, 2014	3,341,870		$	3.18		$	281		4.55
	Note:
	(1) The number of options granted and forfeited includes options cancelled and replaced in conjunction with the modifications described below.
	Aggregate intrinsic value represents the difference between the Company’s closing stock price of its common stock and the exercise price of outstanding, in-the-money options. The Company’s closing stock price as reported on the NASDAQ as of September 30, 2014 was $1.91 per share. The total intrinsic value of options exercised for the three months ended September 30, 2014 was minor and total intrinsic value of options exercised for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 amounted to $0.5 million. The weighted average fair value of options issued, excluding the options issued as replacements in the modifications below, during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 amounted to $1.32.
	As of September 30, 2014, the unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested options granted, for which vesting is probable, under the plan was approximately $6.8 million. This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 2.9 years. The total fair value of shares vested was $1.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014.
	Option Modifications — Pursuant to the transition agreement the Company entered into in March 2014 with Ronald Frankel, its former President and CEO, 752,725 of Mr. Frankel's options to purchase common stock of the Company were modified to accelerate vesting for options that would have otherwise been forfeited during the transition period to the beginning of the transition period ("Transition Date"), and the period options are exercisable is now the earlier of the third anniversary of the Transition Date or the original 10 year contractual term of each option. The total incremental expense resulting from Mr. Frankel's modification is $0.2 million.
	Effective August 4, 2014, the compensation committee of the Company's board of directors agreed to modify all outstanding employee options with an exercise price of $3.00 per share or greater, other than options held by directors and executive officers, by resetting the exercise price per share to the closing price of the Company's common stock on August 4, 2014. As a result of the modification, 203 employees had a total of 1,547,382 options reset to an exercise price of $2.38 per share. The total incremental compensation expense resulting from the August 2014 modification is $0.6 million. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company recorded $0.3 million expense related to the modification. The remaining expense will be recorded over the remaining requisite service period.
	Non-plan Option Grant — On August 4, 2014, the Company appointed Himesh Bhise as President and CEO of the Company. In conjunction with the effective date of Mr. Bhise's first day of employment, and as part of Mr. Bhise's compensation, the Company awarded Mr. Bhise options to purchase 2,001,338 shares of the Company's common stock with an exercise price of $2.38 per share.
	RSU Activity — A summary of RSU activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, is as follows:
		Number of		Weighted-Average
		Shares		Grant Date Fair
				Value
	Unvested—January 1, 2014	45,000		$	5.46
	Granted	913,638		$	2.22
	Released	(10,250	)	$	5.64
	Forfeited	(39,000	)	$	2.7
	Unvested—September 30, 2014	909,388		$	2.32
	Expected to vest—September 30, 2014	825,609		$	2.43
	As of September 30, 2014, total unrecognized compensation cost, adjusted for estimated forfeitures, related to RSUs was approximately $2.1 million, which is expected to be recognized over the next 2.9 years.

Investment_in_Equity_Interest

Investment in Equity Interest	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]	'
Investment in Equity Interest	'
	Investment in Equity Interest
	In March 2013, the Company entered into a Joint Venture Agreement, pursuant to which it owns 50% of the outstanding common stock and 100% of the preferred stock of Synacor China, Ltd., or the JV Company. The Company has agreed to provide up to $2.0 million in funding to the JV Company over the two-year period following the initial funding. The Company provided $0.9 million of funding to the JV Company during the year ended December 31, 2013, and $0.6 million of funding during the nine months ended September 30, 2014. The JV Company will, through its wholly foreign-owned subsidiary in the People's Republic of China (the “PRC”), supply start experiences, authentication and aggregation solutions for the delivery of online content and services to customers in the PRC.
	The investment in the JV Company is being accounted for using the equity method and is classified as an investment in equity interest on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets. The Company records its share of the results of the JV Company within earnings in equity interest. Because the Company provided nearly all of the capital to form the JV Company, the Company has recorded 100% of the losses incurred by the JV Company within loss in equity interest in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. Since acquiring its interest in the JV Company in 2013, the Company has recorded, in accumulated deficit, cumulative losses in equity interest of $1.4 million.
	The following tables represents summarized financial information of the JV Company for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014, and as of December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2014:
		Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013			2014			2013			2014
		(in thousands)						(in thousands)
	Revenue	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—
	Loss from operations	(120		)	(239		)	(314		)	(829		)
	Net loss	$	(120	)	$	(239	)	$	(314	)	$	(829	)
		December 31,			September 30,
		2013			2014
		(in thousands)
	Total assets	$	442		$	218
	Total liabilities	$	77		$	77

Net_Income_Loss_Per_Common_Sha

Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share Data	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share Data	'
	Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share Data
	Basic net income (loss) per share is computed using the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income (loss) per share is computed using the weighted-average number of common shares and, if dilutive, potential common shares outstanding during the period. The Company’s potential common shares consist of the incremental common shares issuable upon the exercise of stock options, and to a lesser extent, shares issuable upon the release of RSUs. The dilutive effect of these potential common shares is reflected in diluted earnings per share by application of the treasury stock method.
	The following table presents the calculation of basic and diluted net loss per share for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2014:
		Three Months Ended,							Nine Months Ended,
		September 30,							September 30,
		2013				2014			2013			2014
		(in thousands, except share and per share data)
	Basic net loss per share:
	Numerator:
	Net loss	$	(832	)		$	(2,596	)	$	(1,539	)	$	(6,515	)
	Denominator:
	Weighted-average common shares outstanding	27,333,693				27,378,299			27,293,898			27,391,159
	Basic net loss per share	$	(0.03	)		$	(0.09	)	$	(0.06	)	$	(0.24	)
	Diluted net loss per share:
	Numerator:
	Net loss	$	(832	)		$	(2,596	)	$	(1,539	)	$	(6,515	)
	Denominator:
	Number of shares used in basic calculation	27,333,693				27,378,299			27,293,898			27,391,159
	Add weighted-average effect of dilutive securities:
	None	—				—			—			—
	Number of shares used in diluted calculation	27,333,693				27,378,299			27,293,898			27,391,159
	Diluted net loss per share	$	(0.03	)		$	(0.09	)	$	(0.06	)	$	(0.24	)
	The following equivalent shares were excluded from the calculation of diluted net loss per share because their effect would have been anti-dilutive for the periods presented:
		Three Months Ended,						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2013			2014			2013		2014
	Antidilutive equity awards:
	Stock options and RSUs	5,529,388			8,436,928			5,529,388		8,436,928

Subsequent_Events

Subsequent Events	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Subsequent Events [Abstract]	'
Subsequent Events	'
	Subsequent Events
	Amendment to Loan Agreement — On October 28, 2014, the Company entered into the First Amendment to the Loan and Security Agreement (the “Amendment”) with Silicon Valley Bank (“SVB”), which amends the financial covenants and certain definitions that are used in the financial covenants of the Loan and Security Agreement dated as of September 27, 2013 (the “ Loan Agreement”). The changes to financial covenants and certain definitions are effective September 30, 2014.
	The Loan Agreement provides for a $10.0 million secured revolving line of credit with a stated maturity date of September 27, 2015. The secured revolving credit facility is available for cash borrowings and is subject to a borrowing formula based upon eligible accounts receivable. Borrowings under the Loan Agreement bear interest, at the Company’s election, at an annual rate of either 0.50% above the “prime rate” as published in The Wall Street Journal or LIBOR for the relevant period plus 3.00%. The Loan Agreement is secured by a first priority security interest in all the Company’s assets, including its intellectual property. As of September 30, 2014 and through the date of this filing, the Company is in compliance with its covenants under the Loan Agreement.
	Board of Directors Appointment — Effective October 28, 2014, the board of directors appointed Scott Murphy as a director of the Company.  This appointment fills the one remaining vacancy on the Company's board of directors. Mr. Murphy will be a Class III director and serve in this role until the 2017 annual meeting of stockholders. Mr. Murphy was also appointed to the audit committee. Consistent with the Company’s non-employee director compensation policy, Mr. Murphy will receive annual cash retainers for his service on the board and the audit committee and an initial stock option grant of 50,000 shares.

The_Company_and_Summary_of_Sig1

The Company and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Basis of Presentation	'
	Basis of Presentation — The interim unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes have been prepared in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) and include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiary. Investments in entities in which the Company can exercise significant influence, but does not own a majority equity interest or otherwise have the power to control, are accounted for using the equity method and are included as investments in equity interest on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. In the opinion of the Company’s management, the interim unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include all adjustments, which include only normal recurring adjustments, necessary for the fair presentation of the Company’s financial position for the periods presented. These interim unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for the full fiscal year or for any subsequent period and should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and related notes included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013 (as amended).
Accounting Estimates	'
	Accounting Estimates — The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the amounts reported and disclosed in the consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes. The Company bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities. Such estimates primarily relate to unsettled transactions and events as of the date of the consolidated financial statements. Accordingly, actual results may differ from estimated amounts.
Concentrations of Risk	'
	Concentrations of Risk — As of December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2014, and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014, the Company had concentrations equal to or exceeding 10% of the Company’s accounts receivable and revenue as follows:
		Accounts Receivable
		December 31,		September 31,
		2013		2014
	Google	47	%	22	%
	Display Advertising Partner	11	%	10	%
		Revenue				Revenue
		Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
		September 30,				September 30,
		2013		2014		2013		2014
	Google	50	%	39	%	52	%	45	%
	For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014, the following customers received revenue-share payments equal to or exceeding 10% of the Company’s cost of revenue. The costs represent revenue share paid to customers for their supply of Internet traffic on the Company's start experiences:
		Cost of Revenue				Cost of Revenue
		Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
		September 30,				September 30,
		2013		2014		2013		2014
	Customer A	24	%	22	%	21	%	23	%
	Customer B	13	%	14	%	13	%	13	%
	Customer C (1)	10	%	N/A		11	%	10	%
	Customer D	15	%	16	%	13	%	12	%
	Notes:
	-1	For the three months ended September 30, 2014, the cost of revenue-share payments received by Customer C were less than 10%.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	'
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements — In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2014-09 (ASU 2014-09) "Revenue from Contracts with Customers." ASU 2014-09 supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in “Revenue Recognition (Topic 605)” and requires entities to recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period. Early adoption is not permitted. The Company is currently in the process of evaluating the impact the adoption of ASU 2014-09 will have on the consolidated financial statements.

The_Company_and_Summary_of_Sig2

The Company and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'
Schedule of concentrations equal to or exceeding 10% of the Company's accounts receivable, revenue, and cost of revenue	'
	For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014, the following customers received revenue-share payments equal to or exceeding 10% of the Company’s cost of revenue. The costs represent revenue share paid to customers for their supply of Internet traffic on the Company's start experiences:
		Cost of Revenue				Cost of Revenue
		Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
		September 30,				September 30,
		2013		2014		2013		2014
	Customer A	24	%	22	%	21	%	23	%
	Customer B	13	%	14	%	13	%	13	%
	Customer C (1)	10	%	N/A		11	%	10	%
	Customer D	15	%	16	%	13	%	12	%
	Notes:
	-1	For the three months ended September 30, 2014, the cost of revenue-share payments received by Customer C were less than 10%.
	As of December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2014, and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014, the Company had concentrations equal to or exceeding 10% of the Company’s accounts receivable and revenue as follows:
		Accounts Receivable
		December 31,		September 31,
		2013		2014
	Google	47	%	22	%
	Display Advertising Partner	11	%	10	%
		Revenue				Revenue
		Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
		September 30,				September 30,
		2013		2014		2013		2014
	Google	50	%	39	%	52	%	45	%

Property_and_Equipment_Net_Tab

Property and Equipment - Net (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]	'
Schedule of property and equipment	'
	Property and equipment, net consisted of the following:
		December 31,			September 30,
		2013			2014
		(in thousands)
	Computer equipment (1)	$	19,361		$	20,920
	Computer software	4,625			5,241
	Furniture and fixtures	1,634			1,772
	Leasehold improvements	1,044			1,232
	Work in process (primarily software development costs)	3,893			6,148
	Other	173			173
		30,730			35,486
	Less accumulated depreciation (2)	(16,645		)	(19,950		)
	Total property and equipment—net	$	14,085		$	15,536
	Notes:
	-1	Includes equipment under capital lease obligations of $5.3 million and $6.7 million as of December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2014, respectively.
	-2	Includes $2.1 million and $3.0 million of accumulated depreciation of equipment under capital leases as of December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2014, respectively.

Accrued_Expenses_and_Other_Cur1

Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Payables and Accruals [Abstract]	'
Schedule of accrued expenses and other current liabilities	'
	Accrued expenses and other current liabilities consisted of the following:
		December 31,		30-Sep-14
		2013
		(in thousands)
	Accrued compensation	$	2,787	$	4,066
	Accrued content fees	580		1,300
	Unearned revenue on contracts	247		410
	Other	1,563		1,274
	Total	$	5,177	$	7,050

Information_About_Segment_and_1

Information About Segment and Geographic Areas (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]	'
Schedule of revenue and long-lived tangible assets by geographic area	'
	The following table sets forth revenue and long-lived tangible assets by geographic area:
		Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
		September 30,				September 30,
		2013		2014		2013		2014
		(in thousands)				(in thousands)
	Revenue
	United States	$	26,386	$	26,070	$	81,883	$	75,174
	International	165		161		519		496
	Total revenue	$	26,551	$	26,231	$	82,402	$	75,670
		December 31,		September 30,
		2013		2014
		(in thousands)
	Long-lived tangible assets
	United States	$	13,825	$	15,040
	Canada	—		411
	International	260		85
	Total long-lived tangible assets	$	14,085	$	15,536

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]	'
Schedule of contract commitments	'
	Contract commitments as of September 30, 2014 are summarized as follows:
	Year ending December 31:	(in thousands)
	2014 (remaining three months)	$	1,288
	2015	1,630
	2016	1,080
	2017	360
	2018	—
	Due after 5 years	—
	Total contract commitments	$	4,358

Equity_Tables

Equity (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Equity [Abstract]	'
Schedule of stock repurchased	'
	The following table sets forth the shares of common stock repurchased through the program:
		Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
		September 30,				September 30,
		2013		2014		2013		2014
	Shares of common stock repurchased	—		—		—		229,050
	Value of common stock repurchased (in thousands)	$	—	$	—	$	—	$	562

Stockbased_Compensation_Tables

Stock-based Compensation (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]	'
Schedule of total stock-based compensation expense	'
	Total stock-based compensation expense included in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations for the periods presented, is as follows :
		Three Months Ended						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2013			2014			2013			2014
		(in thousands)						(in thousands)
	Research and development	$	318		$	691		$	860		$	1,392
	Sales and marketing	97			129			249			361
	General and administrative	268			406			753			1,001
	Total stock-based compensation expense	$	683		$	1,226		$	1,862		$	2,754
Summary of the status of options granted under all options	'
	A summary of the stock option activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 is presented below:
		Number of		Weighted			Aggregate			Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term (in years)
		Stock		Average			Intrinsic Value
		Options		Exercise			(in thousands)
				Price
	Outstanding—January 1, 2014	5,770,168		$	3.85
	Granted (1)	4,972,895		$	2.56
	Exercised	(236,755	)	$	0.26
	Forfeited (1)	(2,978,768	)	$	4.5
	Outstanding—September 30, 2014	7,527,540		$	2.85		$	283		7.17
	Vested and expected to vest—September 30, 2014	6,869,530		$	2.89		$	283		6.97
	Vested and exercisable—September 30, 2014	3,341,870		$	3.18		$	281		4.55
	Note:
	(1) The number of options granted and forfeited includes options cancelled and replaced in conjunction with the modifications described below.
Summary of RSU activity	'
	A summary of RSU activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, is as follows:
		Number of		Weighted-Average
		Shares		Grant Date Fair
				Value
	Unvested—January 1, 2014	45,000		$	5.46
	Granted	913,638		$	2.22
	Released	(10,250	)	$	5.64
	Forfeited	(39,000	)	$	2.7
	Unvested—September 30, 2014	909,388		$	2.32
	Expected to vest—September 30, 2014	825,609		$	2.43

Investment_in_Equity_Interest_

Investment in Equity Interest (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]	'
Summarized financial information	'
	The following tables represents summarized financial information of the JV Company for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013 and 2014, and as of December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2014:
		Three Months Ended September 30,						Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2013			2014			2013			2014
		(in thousands)						(in thousands)
	Revenue	$	—		$	—		$	—		$	—
	Loss from operations	(120		)	(239		)	(314		)	(829		)
	Net loss	$	(120	)	$	(239	)	$	(314	)	$	(829	)
		December 31,			September 30,
		2013			2014
		(in thousands)
	Total assets	$	442		$	218
	Total liabilities	$	77		$	77

Net_Income_Loss_Per_Common_Sha1

Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share Data (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]	'
Schedule of basic and diluted net income per share	'
	The following table presents the calculation of basic and diluted net loss per share for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2013 and 2014:
		Three Months Ended,							Nine Months Ended,
		September 30,							September 30,
		2013				2014			2013			2014
		(in thousands, except share and per share data)
	Basic net loss per share:
	Numerator:
	Net loss	$	(832	)		$	(2,596	)	$	(1,539	)	$	(6,515	)
	Denominator:
	Weighted-average common shares outstanding	27,333,693				27,378,299			27,293,898			27,391,159
	Basic net loss per share	$	(0.03	)		$	(0.09	)	$	(0.06	)	$	(0.24	)
	Diluted net loss per share:
	Numerator:
	Net loss	$	(832	)		$	(2,596	)	$	(1,539	)	$	(6,515	)
	Denominator:
	Number of shares used in basic calculation	27,333,693				27,378,299			27,293,898			27,391,159
	Add weighted-average effect of dilutive securities:
	None	—				—			—			—
	Number of shares used in diluted calculation	27,333,693				27,378,299			27,293,898			27,391,159
	Diluted net loss per share	$	(0.03	)		$	(0.09	)	$	(0.06	)	$	(0.24	)
Schedule of equivalent shares that were excluded from the calculation of diluted net income per share because their effect would have been anti-dilutive	'
	The following equivalent shares were excluded from the calculation of diluted net loss per share because their effect would have been anti-dilutive for the periods presented:
		Three Months Ended,						Nine Months Ended
		September 30,						September 30,
		2013			2014			2013		2014
	Antidilutive equity awards:
	Stock options and RSUs	5,529,388			8,436,928			5,529,388		8,436,928

The_Company_and_Summary_of_Sig3

The Company and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Concentrations of Risk (Details) (Customer Concentration Risk [Member])

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

12 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Dec. 31, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Accounts Receivable [Member]

Accounts Receivable [Member]

Accounts Receivable [Member]

Accounts Receivable [Member]

Revenue [Member]

Revenue [Member]

Revenue [Member]

Revenue [Member]

Cost of Revenue [Member]

Cost of Revenue [Member]

Cost of Revenue [Member]

Cost of Revenue [Member]

Cost of Revenue [Member]

Cost of Revenue [Member]

Cost of Revenue [Member]

Cost of Revenue [Member]

Cost of Revenue [Member]

Cost of Revenue [Member]

Cost of Revenue [Member]

Cost of Revenue [Member]

Cost of Revenue [Member]

Cost of Revenue [Member]

Cost of Revenue [Member]

Google [Member]

Google [Member]

Display Advertising Partner [Member]

Display Advertising Partner [Member]

Google [Member]

Google [Member]

Google [Member]

Google [Member]

Customer A [Member]

Customer A [Member]

Customer A [Member]

Customer A [Member]

Customer B [Member]

Customer B [Member]

Customer B [Member]

Customer B [Member]

Customer C [Member]

Customer C [Member]

Customer C [Member]

Customer D [Member]

Customer D [Member]

Customer D [Member]

Customer D [Member]

Schedule of concentrations equal to or exceeding 10% of the Company's accounts receivable and revenue

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Concentration risk, percentage

22.00%

47.00%

10.00%

11.00%

39.00%

50.00%

45.00%

52.00%

22.00%

24.00%

23.00%

21.00%

14.00%

13.00%

13.00%

13.00%

10.00%

[1]

10.00%

[1]

11.00%

[1]

16.00%

15.00%

12.00%

13.00%

[1]

For the three months ended September 30, 2014, the cost of revenue-share payments received by Customer C were less than 10%.

The_Company_and_Summary_of_Sig4

The Company and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Sale of Domain (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]	'	'	'	'	'
Gain on sale of domain	$0	$1,000	$0	$1,000	$0

The_Company_and_Summary_of_Sig5

The Company and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Rights Plan (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended
	Jul. 14, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Jul. 14, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Feb. 15, 2012
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Common stock dividend declared, number of preferred share purchase rights for each outstanding share of common stock	'	'	1	'	'
Number of shares called by each Right	'	'	0.01	'	'
Exercise price (in dollars per share)	'	'	10	'	'
Preferred stock, shares authorized	'	10,000,000	'	10,000,000	10,000,000
Exercisable period after public announcement	'10 days	'	'	'	'
Beneficial ownership threshold of common stock for rights be become exercisable	10.00%	'	'	'	'
Market value of acquiring corporation shares (in dollars per share)	'	'	$20	'	'
Minimum ownership percentage of common stock Board of Directors may no longer exchange common stock	50.00%	'	'	'	'
Exchange of common stock for Right, exchange ratio	'	'	1	'	'
Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Class of Warrant or Right [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Preferred stock, shares authorized	2,000,000	'	2,000,000	'	'

The_Company_and_Summary_of_Sig6

The Company and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Reduction in Workforce (Details) (Reduction in Workforce [Member], USD $)	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 28, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014
	employee
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'
Reduction in workforce, number of employees	70	'	'
Severance Costs	'	$1.30	$1.30
Research and Development Expense [Member]	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'
Severance Costs	'	0.5	0.5
Selling and Marketing Expense [Member]	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'
Severance Costs	'	0.2	0.2
General and Administrative Expense [Member]	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'
Severance Costs	'	0.6	0.6
Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities [Member]	'	'	'
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]	'	'	'
Restructuring reserve	'	$1.10	$1.10

Investments_and_Fair_Value_Mea1

Investments and Fair Value Measurements (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Jul. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'
Payments to acquire investment	$1,000,000	$0	$1,000,000
Level 3 [Member]	'	'	'
Fair Value, Balance Sheet Grouping, Financial Statement Captions [Line Items]	'	'	'
Estimated fair value of convertible promissory note	'	$1,000,000	'

Property_and_Equipment_Net_Det

Property and Equipment - Net (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of property and equipment	'		'
Property and equipment-gross	$35,486		$30,730
Less accumulated depreciation	-19,950	[1]	-16,645	[1]
Total property and equipment—net	15,536		14,085
Computer equipment [Member]	'		'
Schedule of property and equipment	'		'
Property and equipment-gross	20,920	[2]	19,361	[2]
Computer software [Member]	'		'
Schedule of property and equipment	'		'
Property and equipment-gross	5,241		4,625
Furniture and fixtures [Member]	'		'
Schedule of property and equipment	'		'
Property and equipment-gross	1,772		1,634
Leasehold improvements [Member]	'		'
Schedule of property and equipment	'		'
Property and equipment-gross	1,232		1,044
Work in process [Member]	'		'
Schedule of property and equipment	'		'
Property and equipment-gross	6,148		3,893
Other [Member]	'		'
Schedule of property and equipment	'		'
Property and equipment-gross	$173		$173
[1]	Includes $2.1 million and $3.0 million of accumulated depreciation of equipment under capital leases as of December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2014, respectively.
[2]	Includes equipment under capital lease obligations of $5.3 million and $6.7 million as of December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2014, respectively.

Property_and_Equipment_Net_Add

Property and Equipment - Net - Additional Disclosures (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014		Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Property and Equipment - Net (Textual) [Abstract]	'		'
Property and equipment-gross	$35,486		$30,730
Accumulated depreciation of equipment under capital leases	19,950	[1]	16,645	[1]
Capital lease obligations [Member]	'		'
Property and Equipment - Net (Textual) [Abstract]	'		'
Accumulated depreciation of equipment under capital leases	3,000		2,100
Computer equipment [Member]	'		'
Property and Equipment - Net (Textual) [Abstract]	'		'
Property and equipment-gross	20,920	[2]	19,361	[2]
Computer equipment [Member] | Capital lease obligations [Member]	'		'
Property and Equipment - Net (Textual) [Abstract]	'		'
Property and equipment-gross	$6,700		$5,300
[1]	Includes $2.1 million and $3.0 million of accumulated depreciation of equipment under capital leases as of December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2014, respectively.
[2]	Includes equipment under capital lease obligations of $5.3 million and $6.7 million as of December 31, 2013 and September 30, 2014, respectively.

Accrued_Expenses_and_Other_Cur2

Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of accrued expenses and other current liabilities	'	'
Accrued compensation	$4,066	$2,787
Accrued content fees	1,300	580
Unearned revenue on contracts	410	247
Other	1,274	1,563
Total	$7,050	$5,177

Information_About_Segment_and_2

Information About Segment and Geographic Areas (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
			manager
			segment
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Number of segment managers accountable for operations below the Company level	'	'	0	'	'
Number of reportable segments	'	'	1	'	'
Number of operating units	'	'	1	'	'
Schedule of revenue and long-lived tangible assets by geographic area	'	'	'	'	'
Revenue	$26,231	$26,551	$75,670	$82,402	'
Long-lived tangible assets	15,536	'	15,536	'	14,085
United States [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Schedule of revenue and long-lived tangible assets by geographic area	'	'	'	'	'
Revenue	26,070	26,386	75,174	81,883	'
Long-lived tangible assets	15,040	'	15,040	'	13,825
Canada [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Schedule of revenue and long-lived tangible assets by geographic area	'	'	'	'	'
Long-lived tangible assets	411	'	411	'	0
International [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Schedule of revenue and long-lived tangible assets by geographic area	'	'	'	'	'
Revenue	161	165	496	519	'
Long-lived tangible assets	$85	'	$85	'	$260

Commitments_and_Contingencies_1

Commitments and Contingencies - Contract Commitments (Details) (USD $)	Sep. 30, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Schedule of contract commitments	'
2014 (remaining three months)	$1,288
2015	1,630
2016	1,080
2017	360
2018	0
Due after 5 years	0
Total contract commitments	$4,358

Commitments_and_Contingencies_2

Commitments and Contingencies - Teknision Acquisition (Details) (Teknision, Inc [Member], USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014
Teknision, Inc [Member]	'
Business Acquisition [Line Items]	'
Aggregate purchase price	$1
Remaining payment for acquisition	$0.50

Equity_Details

Equity (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended
	Feb. 26, 2014	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Feb. 15, 2012	Jul. 14, 2014
					Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock [Member]
Class of Stock [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Common stock, shares authorized	'	100,000,000	100,000,000	100,000,000	'
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	'	$0.01	$0.01	$0.01	'
Preferred stock, shares authorized	'	10,000,000	10,000,000	10,000,000	2,000,000
Preferred stock, par value (in dollars per share)	'	$0.01	$0.01	$0.01	'
Preferred stock, shares issued	'	0	0	'	'
Shares authorized to be repurchased, amount	$5,000,000	'	'	'	'

Equity_Shares_Repurchased_Deta

Equity - Shares Repurchased (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Equity [Abstract]	'	'	'	'
Shares of common stock repurchased	0	0	229,050	0
Value of common stock repurchased (in thousands)	$0	$0	$562	$0

Equity_Withhold_to_Cover_Detai

Equity - Withhold to Cover (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Equity [Abstract]	'	'
Shares withheld to satisfy minimum statutory tax withholding requirements	3,603	0

Stockbased_Compensation_Alloca

Stock-based Compensation - Allocation of Stock-based Compensation Expense (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Schedule of total stock-based compensation expense	'	'	'	'
Total stock-based compensation expense	$1,226	$683	$2,754	$1,862
Research and development [Member]	'	'	'	'
Schedule of total stock-based compensation expense	'	'	'	'
Total stock-based compensation expense	691	318	1,392	860
Sales and marketing [Member]	'	'	'	'
Schedule of total stock-based compensation expense	'	'	'	'
Total stock-based compensation expense	129	97	361	249
General and administrative [Member]	'	'	'	'
Schedule of total stock-based compensation expense	'	'	'	'
Total stock-based compensation expense	$406	$268	$1,001	$753

Stockbased_Compensation_Stock_

Stock-based Compensation - Stock Option Activity (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014
Number of Stock Options (shares)	'
Outstanding number of stock options beginning balance	5,770,168
Number of stock options granted	4,972,895	[1]
Number of stock options exercised	-236,755
Number of stock options forfeited	-2,978,768	[1]
Outstanding number of stock options ending balance	7,527,540
Outstanding number of stock options vested and expected to vest	6,869,530
Outstanding number of stock options vested and exercisable	3,341,870
Weighted Average Exercise Price (in dollars per share)	'
Outstanding, weighted average exercise price, beginning balance	$3.85
Weighted average exercise price, granted	$2.56	[1]
Weighted average exercise price, exercised	$0.26
Weighted average exercise price, forfeited	$4.50	[1]
Outstanding, weighted average exercise price, ending balance	$2.85
Vested and expected to vest, weighted average exercise price, ending balance	$2.89
Vested and exercisable, weighted average exercise price, ending balance	$3.18
Aggregate intrinsic value, outstanding	$283
Aggregate intrinsic value, vested and expected to vest	283
Aggregate intrinsic value, vested and exercisable	$281
Weighted average remaining contractual term (in years), outstanding	'7 years 1 month 30 days
Weighted average remaining contractual term (in years), vested and expected to vest	'6 years 11 months 19 days
Weighted average remaining contractual term (in years), vested and exercisable	'4 years 6 months 17 days
[1]	The number of options granted and forfeited includes options cancelled and replaced in conjunction with the modifications described below.

Stockbased_Compensation_RSU_Ac

Stock-based Compensation - RSU Activity (Details) (Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member], USD $)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]	'
Number of Shares	'
Unvested—January 1, 2014	45,000
Granted	913,638
Released	-10,250
Forfeited	-39,000
Unvested—September 30, 2014	909,388
Expected to vest—September 30, 2014	825,609
Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value (in dollars per share)	'
Unvested—January 1, 2014	$5.46
Granted	$2.22
Released	$5.64
Forfeited	$2.70
Unvested—September 30, 2014	$2.32
Expected to vest—September 30, 2014	$2.43

Stockbased_Compensation_Additi

Stock-based Compensation - Additional Disclosures (Details) (USD $)

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

0 Months Ended

3 Months Ended

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2013

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Aug. 04, 2014

Aug. 04, 2014

Aug. 04, 2014

Aug. 04, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Sep. 30, 2014

Stock Options [Member]

Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member]

Former Chief Executive Officer [Member]

Former Chief Executive Officer [Member]

Employees, Excluding Directors and Officers [Member]

Employees, Excluding Directors and Officers [Member]

CEO [Member]

Minimum [Member]

Option Modification [Member]

Option Modification [Member]

Stock Options [Member]

employee

Stock Options [Member]

Employees, Excluding Directors and Officers [Member]

Employees, Excluding Directors and Officers [Member]

Employees, Excluding Directors and Officers [Member]

Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Stock-based compensation expense

$1,226,000

$683,000

$2,754,000

$1,862,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$300,000

$300,000

Tax deduction allowed for incentive stock options

'

'

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Deferred income tax asset for the expense related to options

0

'

0

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Closing stock price as reported on the NASDAQ

$1.91

'

$1.91

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total intrinsic value of options exercised

'

'

500,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Weighted average fair value of options issued (in dollars per share)

'

'

$1.32

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested options granted

6,800,000

'

6,800,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Unrecognized compensation cost related to RSUs

'

'

'

'

'

2,100,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Expected weighted-average period to recognize unrecognized compensation cost

'

'

'

'

'2 years 11 months 5 days

'2 years 11 months

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Total fair value of shares vested

'

'

1,300,000

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

Number of shares modified

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

752,725

'

1,547,382

'

'

'

'

Contractual term

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'10 years

'

'

'

'

'

'

Incremental compensation expense from plan modification

'

'

'

'

'

'

$200,000

'

$600,000

'

'

'

'

'

Option modification, minimum exercise price required for modification (in dollars per share)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$3

'

'

Number of employees affected by plan modification

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

203

'

'

'

'

'

Reset exercise price (in dollars per share)

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$2.38

'

'

'

'

'

Number of stock options granted

'

'

4,972,895

[1]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

2,001,338

'

'

'

Options granted, exercise price (in dollars per share)

'

'

$2.56

[1]

'

'

'

'

'

'

'

$2.38

'

'

'

[1]

The number of options granted and forfeited includes options cancelled and replaced in conjunction with the modifications described below.

Investment_in_Equity_Interest_1

Investment in Equity Interest (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended		1 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013
			Synacor China, Ltd [Member]	Synacor China, Ltd [Member]	Synacor China, Ltd [Member]	Common Stock [Member]	Preferred Stock [Member]
						Synacor China, Ltd [Member]	Synacor China, Ltd [Member]
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'	'	'
Ownership percentage	'	'	'	'	'	50.00%	100.00%
Additional funding over the remainder of the two year period following the initial funding	'	'	$2,000,000	'	'	'	'
Term of funding (in years)	'	'	'2 years	'	'	'	'
Funding to JV Company	605,000	400,000	'	600,000	900,000	'	'
Cumulative losses in equity interest	'	'	'	$1,400,000	'	'	'

Investment_in_Equity_Interest_2

Investment in Equity Interest - Summarized Financial Information (Details) (Synacor China, Ltd [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2013
Synacor China, Ltd [Member]	'	'	'	'	'
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]	'	'	'	'	'
Revenue	$0	$0	$0	$0	'
Loss from operations	-239	-120	-829	-314	'
Net loss	-239	-120	-829	-314	'
Total assets	218	'	218	'	442
Total liabilities	$77	'	$77	'	$77

Net_Income_Loss_Per_Common_Sha2

Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share Data - Calculation of Basic and Diluted Net Income Per Share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Numerator:	'	'	'	'
Net loss	($2,596)	($832)	($6,515)	($1,539)
Denominator:	'	'	'	'
Weighted-average common shares outstanding	27,378,299	27,333,693	27,391,159	27,293,898
Basic net loss per share (in dollars per share)	($0.09)	($0.03)	($0.24)	($0.06)
Numerator:	'	'	'	'
Net loss	($2,596)	($832)	($6,515)	($1,539)
Denominator:	'	'	'	'
Weighted-average common shares outstanding	27,378,299	27,333,693	27,391,159	27,293,898
Add weighted-average effect of dilutive securities	'	'	'	'
Weighted-average effect of diluted securities (shares)	0	0	0	0
Number of shares used in diluted calculation	27,378,299	27,333,693	27,391,159	27,293,898
Diluted net loss per share (in dollars per share)	($0.09)	($0.03)	($0.24)	($0.06)

Net_Income_Loss_Per_Common_Sha3

Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share Data - Antidilutive Securities Excluded (Details) (Stock Options and RSUs [Member])	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013	Sep. 30, 2014	Sep. 30, 2013
Stock Options and RSUs [Member]	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]	'	'	'	'
Antidilutive equity awards	8,436,928	5,529,388	8,436,928	5,529,388

Subsequent_Events_Details

Subsequent Events (Details) (USD $)	9 Months Ended		0 Months Ended		0 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2014		Oct. 28, 2014	Oct. 28, 2014	Oct. 28, 2014	Oct. 28, 2014
			Director [Member]	Revolving Credit Facility [Member]	Prime Rate [Member]	LIBOR [Member]
			Subsequent Event [Member]	Subsequent Event [Member]	Revolving Credit Facility [Member]	Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
					Subsequent Event [Member]	Subsequent Event [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]	'		'	'	'	'
Maximum borrowing capacity	'		'	$10,000,000	'	'
Basis spread on variable rate	'		'	'	0.50%	3.00%
Number of stock options granted	4,972,895	[1]	50,000	'	'	'
[1]	The number of options granted and forfeited includes options cancelled and replaced in conjunction with the modifications described below.