| Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies) | 9 Months Ended |
| Sep. 30, 2014 |
| Accounting Policies [Abstract] | ' |
| Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation | ' |
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| Basis of Presentation and Principles of Consolidation |
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| As used in this report, the terms “we,” “the Company,” “us” or “our” refer to RetailMeNot, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, or U.S. GAAP, and Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, requirements for interim financial statements. All significant intercompany transactions and balances have been eliminated. |
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| The accompanying interim unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the same basis as the audited consolidated financial statements and include all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation. Certain information and disclosures normally included in the notes to the annual consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP have been omitted from these interim condensed consolidated financial statements pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC. Accordingly, these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013, which are included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013. The results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the year ending December 31, 2014 or for any other period. |
| Significant Estimates and Judgments | ' |
| Significant Estimates and Judgments |
| The preparation of our consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amount of net revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. These estimates and assumptions could have a material effect on our future results of operations and financial position. Significant items subject to our estimates and assumptions include stock-based compensation, income taxes, valuation of acquired goodwill and intangible assets, allowance for doubtful accounts, revenue returns reserve, unrecognized tax benefits, acquisition-related contingent liabilities and the useful lives of property and equipment and intangible assets. As a result, actual amounts could differ from those presented herein. |
| Business Segment | ' |
| Business Segment |
| We have one operating and reporting segment consisting of various products and services that are all related to our marketplace for digital offers. Our chief operating decision maker is our Chief Executive Officer. Our Chief Executive Officer allocates resources and assesses performance of the business and other activities at a single reporting segment level. |
| Cash and Cash Equivalents | ' |
| Cash and Cash Equivalents |
| All highly-liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less at the date of purchase are considered to be cash equivalents. |
| Accounts Receivable, Net | ' |
| Accounts Receivable, Net |
| Accounts receivable, net represent amounts due from retailers, through various performance marketing networks, for commissions earned on consumer purchases. We record an allowance for doubtful accounts in an amount equal to the estimated probable losses net of recoveries, which are based on an analysis of historical bad debt, current receivables aging and expected future write-offs of uncollectible accounts, as well as an assessment of specific identifiable accounts considered at risk or uncollectible. |
| Property and Equipment, Net | ' |
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| Property and Equipment, Net |
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| Property and equipment, net includes assets such as furniture and fixtures, leasehold improvements, computer hardware, office and telephone equipment and certain capitalized internally developed software and website development costs. We record property and equipment at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization, using the straight-line method. Ordinary maintenance and repairs are charged to expense, while expenditures that extend the physical or economic life of the assets are capitalized. Property and equipment are depreciated over their estimated economic lives, which range from three to five years. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the estimated useful lives of the improvements or the lease term. Capitalized internally developed software and website development costs are depreciated over their estimated useful lives, which range from two to three years. We perform reviews for the impairment of property and equipment when management believes events or circumstances indicate the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. |
| Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets | ' |
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| Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets |
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| Goodwill arises from business combinations and is measured as the excess of the cost of the business acquired over the sum of the acquisition-date fair values of tangible and identifiable intangible assets acquired, less any liabilities assumed. |
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| We evaluate goodwill for impairment annually on October 1, during the fourth quarter of each year, or more frequently when an event occurs or circumstances change that indicates the carrying value may not be recoverable. Events or circumstances that could trigger an impairment test include, but are not limited to, a significant adverse change in the business climate or in legal factors, an adverse action or assessment by a regulator, a loss of key personnel, significant changes in our use of the acquired assets or the strategy for our overall business, significant negative industry or economic trends, significant underperformance relative to operating performance indicators and significant changes in competition. |
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| We evaluate the recoverability of goodwill using a two-step impairment process tested at our sole reporting segment level. In the first step, the fair value for our reporting unit is compared to our book value including goodwill. If the fair value is less than the book value, a second step is performed that compares the implied fair value of goodwill to the book value of the goodwill. The fair value for the implied goodwill is determined based on the difference between the fair value of the sole reporting segment and the net fair value of the identifiable assets and liabilities excluding goodwill. If the implied fair value of the goodwill is less than the book value, the difference is recognized as an impairment charge in the consolidated statements of operations. If, after assessing the totality of events or circumstances, we determine that it is not more likely than not that the fair value of our reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, then the quantitative impairment tests are unnecessary. |
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| Identifiable intangible assets consist of acquired customer intangible assets, marketing-related intangible assets, contract-based intangible assets, and technology-based intangible assets. Intangible assets with definite lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives on a straight-line or accelerated basis. See Note 3, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets”. The method of amortization applied represents our best estimate of the distribution of the economic value of the identifiable intangible assets. The factors we consider in determining the useful lives of identifiable intangible assets included the extent to which expected future cash flows would be affected by our intent and ability to retain use of these assets, including the period of time that would capture 90% or more of the assets value on a perpetuity basis. |
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| Intangible assets are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of intangible assets may not be recoverable. Conditions that would necessitate an impairment assessment include a significant decline in the observable market value of an asset, a significant change in the extent or manner in which an asset is used, or any other significant adverse change that would indicate that the carrying amount of an asset or group of assets may not be recoverable. When such events occur, we compare the carrying amounts of the assets to their undiscounted cash flows. If this comparison indicates that there is impairment, the amount of the impairment is calculated as the difference between the carrying value and the fair value. |
| Revenue Recognition | ' |
| Revenue Recognition |
| We recognize revenue when persuasive evidence of an arrangement exists, services have been rendered, the fee to the paid retailer is fixed or determinable and collectability of the resulting receivable is reasonably assured. For commission revenues, which represent the substantial majority of our net revenues, revenue recognition generally occurs when a consumer, having visited one of our websites and clicked on a digital offer for a paid retailer, defined as a retailer with which we have a contract, makes a purchase with such paid retailer, and completion of the order is reported to us by such paid retailer, either directly or through a performance marketing network. The reporting by the paid retailer includes the amount of commissions the paid retailer has calculated as owing to us. Certain paid retailers do not provide reporting until a commission payment is made. In those cases, which have historically not been significant, we record commission revenues on a cash basis. We estimate and record a reserve, based upon actual, historical return rates as reported to us by the paid retailers, to provide for end-user cancelations or product returns, which may not be reported by the paid retailer or performance marketing network until a subsequent date. As such, we report commission revenues net of the estimated returns reserve. Net revenues are reported net of sales taxes, where applicable. |
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| Our payment arrangements with paid retailers are both direct and through performance marketing networks, which act as intermediaries between the paid retailers and us. No paid retailer individually accounted for more than 10% of net revenues or accounts receivable as of and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013. |
| Cost of Net Revenues | ' |
| Cost of Net Revenues |
| Cost of net revenues is composed of direct and indirect costs incurred to generate revenue. These costs consist of personnel costs of our salaried merchandising and technology support employees and fees paid to third-party contractors engaged in the operation and maintenance of our existing websites and mobile applications. Such technology costs also include website hosting and Internet service costs. Other costs include allocated facility and general information technology costs. |
| Sales and Marketing Expense | ' |
| Sales and Marketing Expense |
| Our sales and marketing expense consist of personnel costs for our sales, marketing, search engine optimization, search engine marketing and business intelligence employees, as well as online, brand and other marketing expenses. Our online, brand and other marketing costs include search engine fees, advertising on social networks, television advertising, promotions, display advertisements, creative development fees, public relations, email campaigns, trade shows and other general marketing costs. Other costs include allocated facility and general information technology costs. |
| Product Development | ' |
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| Product Development |
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| Our product development expense consists primarily of personnel costs of our product management and software engineering teams, as well as fees paid to third-party contractors and consultants engaged in the design, development, testing and improvement of the functionality and user experience of our websites and mobile applications |
| General and Administrative Expense | ' |
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| General and Administrative Expense |
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| Our general and administrative expense represents personnel costs for employees involved in general corporate functions, including finance, accounting, legal and human resources, among others. Additional costs included in general and administrative expense include professional fees for legal, audit and other consulting services, travel and entertainment, charitable contributions, recruiting, allocated facility and general information technology costs and other general corporate overhead expenses. |
| Stock-Based Compensation Expense | ' |
| Stock-Based Compensation Expense |
| Stock-based compensation expense is measured at the grant date based on the estimated fair value of the award, net of estimated forfeitures. We recognize these compensation costs on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the award. Forfeiture rates are estimated at grant date based on historical experience and adjusted in subsequent periods for differences in actual forfeitures from those estimates. We include stock-based compensation expense in cost of net revenues and operating expenses in our consolidated statements of operations, consistent with the respective employees’ cash compensation. We determine the fair value of stock options on the grant date using the Black-Scholes-Merton valuation model. |
| Fair Value of Financial Instruments | ' |
| Fair Value of Financial Instruments |
| The carrying amounts of our financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable, accrued liabilities and notes payable, approximate fair value due to the instruments’ short-term maturities or, in the case of the long-term notes payable, based on the variable interest rate feature. |
| Income Taxes | ' |
| Income Taxes |
| The provision for income taxes is determined using the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are calculated based upon the temporary differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases using the enacted tax rates that are applicable in a given year. The deferred tax assets are recorded net of a valuation allowance when, based on the available supporting evidence, we believe it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the recorded deferred tax assets will not be realized in future periods. |
| The Company may be subject to income tax audits by the respective tax authorities in any or all of the jurisdictions in which the Company operates, including the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and the Netherlands. Significant judgment is required in determining uncertain tax positions. We utilize a two-step approach to recognize and measure uncertain tax positions. The first step is to evaluate the tax position for recognition by determining if the weight of available evidence indicates it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained on audit, including resolution of related appeals or litigation processes. The second step is to measure the tax benefit as the largest amount that is more than 50% likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement. We consider many factors when evaluating and estimating our tax positions and tax benefits, which may require periodic adjustments and which may not accurately forecast actual outcomes. The Company adjusts these reserves in light of changing facts and circumstances, such as the closing of an audit or the refinement of an estimate. Changes in recognition or measurement are reflected in the period in which the change in judgment occurs. We include interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in the provision for income taxes on our consolidated statements of operations. |
| Foreign Currency | ' |
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| Foreign Currency |
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| Our operations outside of the U.S. generally use the local currency as their functional currency. Assets and liabilities for these operations are translated at exchange rates in effect at the balance sheet date. Income and expense accounts are translated at average exchange rates for the period. Foreign currency translation adjustments are recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). Gains and losses from foreign currency denominated transactions are recorded in other income (expense), net in our consolidated statements of operations. |
| Recent Accounting Pronouncements | ' |
| Recent Accounting Pronouncements |
| In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, issued new guidance that supersedes existing revenue recognition requirements. The guidance provides a five-step process to recognize revenue that depicts the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration expected in exchange for those goods and services. The guidance requires disclosures enabling users of financial statements to understand the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from contracts with customers. Additionally, qualitative and quantitative disclosures are required about contracts with customers, significant judgments and changes in judgments, and assets recognized from the costs to obtain or fulfill a contract. The guidance is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim periods within that reporting period, using one of two retrospective application methods. Early application is not permitted. We are currently evaluating which of the two retrospective application methods we will use and the effect that the adoption of this guidance will have on our financial statements. |
