Detect Outbrain
Outbrain is a web advertising platform that displays boxes of links, known as chumboxes, to pages within websites.
Detection looks at script sources, javascript globals across 5 fingerprint rules among the site's public responses.
01
Websites using Outbrain
Loading website list…
02
Signal classes
PluginView evaluates public page signals in these classes when identifying Outbrain. Individual fingerprint rule bodies are proprietary and are not published.
- Script sources
- JavaScript globals
03
Example public indicators for Outbrain
Illustrative indicators derived from public catalog metadata for Outbrain. A live scan may match additional proprietary rules beyond these examples.
- .outbrain.com/
- OB_ADV_ID
- OB_releaseVer: .
- OutbrainPermaLink
- obApi.version:
04
What a detection means
- Establishes
- One or more public signals on the scanned page matched a known Outbrain signature (5 rules) at the time of the scan.
- Does not establish
- A sitewide install of Outbrain, an active vendor contract, exclusive use, or that Outbrain is still in place today.
05
How to check a site for Outbrain
- 1. Enter the website URL in the scan form — homepage, pricing, checkout, or login pages usually expose the strongest Outbrain signals.
- 2. PluginView reads only public responses (script sources, javascript globals) and scores them against the Outbrain signature set (5 rules).
- 3. Review the confidence score and text explanation for Outbrain on the results page.
06
FAQ: detecting Outbrain
- Can PluginView detect Outbrain without logging in?
- Yes. PluginView only reads publicly accessible responses when checking for Outbrain — typically script sources, javascript globals. It does not bypass authentication or paywalls.
- What category is Outbrain?
- Outbrain is classified under Widgets, Advertising in the PluginView directory.
- How many fingerprint rules cover Outbrain?
- This reference currently tracks 5 fingerprint rules across script sources, javascript globals. Individual rule bodies are proprietary and are not published.
- What public signals suggest a site uses Outbrain?
- Illustrative public indicators for Outbrain include .outbrain.com/; OB_ADV_ID; OB_releaseVer: .. A live scan may match additional proprietary rules beyond these examples.
