📋 Overview
If you notice a Publisher Media Amount listed as pending in your Search Atlas account, this article explains what it is, why it appears, and what steps to take if you have questions about it.
💡 What Is the Publisher Media Amount?
The Publisher Media Amount is a charge related to the Publisher Exchange — Search Atlas's network that connects customers with publishers for press releases and sponsored content placements. When you place an order through the Publisher Exchange, the associated cost is recorded as a Publisher Media Amount in your billing history.
This charge covers the fee paid to the publisher for distributing or hosting your content across their media network.
⏳ Why Does It Show as Pending?
A pending status on your Publisher Media Amount can appear for a few common reasons:
- Order in progress: Your press release or media placement has been submitted but the publisher has not yet confirmed completion. The charge remains pending until the work is verified.
- Processing delay: Payment processing between Search Atlas and the publisher network can take a short period to finalise, causing a temporary pending state.
- Recent submission: Orders placed very recently may show as pending while the system logs the transaction and routes it to the appropriate publisher.
🔍 Where to Find Your Billing Details
To review your Publisher Media Amount and overall billing history, follow these steps:
- Log in to your Search Atlas account.
- Navigate to Billing from your profile menu (top-right avatar / Account Menu).
- Look for the Invoices or Billing History section to see all charges, including any Publisher Media Amounts.
Please note: Publisher Exchange invoices may not always appear immediately in the invoices section due to the way publisher transactions are processed. If you do not see an invoice for a Publisher Media Amount, this is a known behaviour and the record will be updated once the transaction is fully confirmed.
✅ What to Do If the Amount Looks Incorrect
If the pending amount does not match what you expected, or if it has remained in a pending state for an unusually long time, take these steps:
- Double-check the order details for the press release or media placement you submitted to confirm the expected cost.
- Allow 2–3 business days for the charge to move from pending to confirmed, especially for recently placed orders.
- If the amount still looks incorrect or the pending status has not resolved after 3 business days, contact our support team for assistance.
🔄 Refunds Related to Publisher Media
If a press release or publisher placement was cancelled or did not go live, you may be eligible for a refund. Refund visibility in the billing section has been improved so that any approved refunds for press release orders will appear directly in your billing history. If you believe you are owed a refund and do not see it reflected, please reach out to our team.
🛠️ Need More Help?
If you need further assistance, open the chat widget in the bottom-right corner of the platform and type human teammate to be connected with a member of our team.