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Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
Document and Entity Information - shares	Sep. 30, 2018	Nov. 06, 2018
Document Information [Line Items]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2018
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2018
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Trading Symbol	MCHX
Entity Registrant Name	MARCHEX INC
Entity Central Index Key	0001224133
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	true
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Class A
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		5,056,136
Class B
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		36,926,629

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 78,605	$ 104,190
Accounts receivable, net	13,646	14,860
Prepaid expenses and other current assets	2,322	2,041
Total current assets	94,573	121,091
Property and equipment, net	2,797	2,405
Other assets, net	919	326
Total assets	98,289	123,822
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	5,258	4,928
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	5,804	5,585
Deferred revenue and deposits	1,165	313
Dividends payable		21,907
Total current liabilities	12,227	32,733
Other non-current liabilities	1,155	1,090
Total liabilities	13,382	33,823
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders’ equity:
Additional paid-in capital	340,047	343,268
Accumulated deficit	(255,561)	(253,709)
Total stockholders’ equity	84,907	89,999
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	98,289	123,822
Class A
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock	53	53
Class B
Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock	$ 368	$ 387

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Revenue	$ 20,006	$ 22,053	$ 62,120	$ 68,444
Expenses:
Sales and marketing	3,330	3,612	10,275	12,075
Product development	3,861	4,256	11,382	13,809
General and administrative	2,570	3,144	8,083	10,568
Acquisition related costs	110		110
Total operating expenses	20,748	22,929	64,934	74,142
Loss from operations	(742)	(876)	(2,814)	(5,698)
Interest income and other, net	296	77	805	134
Loss before provision for income taxes	(446)	(799)	(2,009)	(5,564)
Income tax expense	11	12	32	37
Net loss applicable to common stockholders	$ (457)	$ (811)	$ (2,041)	$ (5,601)
Basic and diluted net loss per Class A and Class B share applicable to common stockholders	$ (0.01)	$ (0.02)	$ (0.05)	$ (0.13)
Service Costs
Expenses:
Service costs	$ 10,877	$ 11,917	$ 35,084	$ 37,690
Class A
Expenses:
Net loss applicable to common stockholders	$ (56)	$ (96)	$ (244)	$ (665)
Shares used to calculate basic net loss per share applicable to common stockholders:
Shares used to calculate basic net loss per share applicable to common stockholders	5,056	5,056	5,056	5,056
Shares used to calculate diluted net loss per share applicable to common stockholders:
Shares used to calculate diluted net loss per share applicable to common stockholders	5,056	5,056	5,056	5,056
Class B
Expenses:
Net loss applicable to common stockholders	$ (401)	$ (715)	$ (1,797)	$ (4,936)
Shares used to calculate basic net loss per share applicable to common stockholders:
Shares used to calculate basic net loss per share applicable to common stockholders	36,127	37,820	37,243	37,565
Shares used to calculate diluted net loss per share applicable to common stockholders:
Shares used to calculate diluted net loss per share applicable to common stockholders	41,183	42,876	42,299	42,621

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Operating Activities:
Net loss	$ (2,041)	$ (5,601)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
Amortization and depreciation	1,360	2,266
Allowance for doubtful accounts and advertiser credits	335	673
Stock-based compensation	2,335	3,500
Change in certain assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable, net	879	3,356
Prepaid expenses, other current assets and other assets	(268)	63
Accounts payable	401	(1,525)
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities	207	(1,003)
Deferred revenue and deposits	853	(14)
Other non-current liabilities	1	(23)
Net cash provided by operating activities	4,062	1,692
Investing Activities:
Purchases of property and equipment	(1,580)	(1,274)
Purchases of intangible assets and other assets	(576)	(15)
Net cash used in investing activities	(2,156)	(1,289)
Financing Activities:
Repurchases of Class B common stock	(5,673)
Proceeds from exercises of stock options, issuance and vesting of restricted stock and employee stock purchase plan, net	93	24
Common stock cash dividends paid	(21,911)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	(27,491)	24
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(25,585)	427
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	104,190	103,950
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$ 78,605	$ 104,377

Significant Accounting Policies	9 Months Ended
Significant Accounting Policies	Sep. 30, 2018
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Significant Accounting Policies	(2) Significant Accounting Policies The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. These judgments are difficult as matters that are inherently uncertain directly impact their valuation and accounting. Actual results may vary from management’s estimates and assumptions. Except for the changes below, the Company has consistently applied the accounting policies to all periods presented in these condensed consolidated financial statements. FASB ASC Topic 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers, (ASC 606) is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that reporting period. The Company adopted ASC 606 on January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective approach for all contracts not completed as of the date of initial application, referred to as open contracts. Therefore, the comparative information has not been adjusted and continues to be reported under ASC 605. Under ASC 606, revenue is recognized when a customer obtains control of promised goods or services in an amount that reflects the consideration we expect to receive in exchange for those goods or services. The Company measures revenue based on the consideration specified in the customer arrangement, and revenue is recognized when the performance obligations in the customer arrangement are satisfied. A performance obligation is a promise in a contract to transfer a distinct service or product to the customer. The transaction price of a contract is allocated to each distinct performance obligation and recognized as revenue when or as, the customer receives the benefit of the performance obligation. The primary impact upon adoption of the standard relates to the deferral (i.e. capitalization) of incremental contract acquisition costs which are recorded as other non-current assets in the balance sheet and the recognition (i.e. amortization) of them in sales and marketing expenses in the statements of operations over the term of the initial contract and anticipated renewal contracts to which the costs relate. The Company recognized a $189,000 decrease to accumulated deficit as of January 1, 2018 for the cumulative impact of adoption of the amended guidance associated with the incremental contract acquisition costs on open contracts that were capitalized. The impact of the adoption of ASC 606 on net loss applicable to common stockholders for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and on the unaudited consolidated balance sheet at September 30, 2018 was not significant. Recent Accounting Pronouncement(s) Not Yet Effective In August 2018, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2018-15, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other – Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40) – Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement that is a Service Contract (ASU 2018-15), an ASU which requires a customer in a cloud computing arrangement that is a service contract to follow the internal-use software guidance in ASC 350-40 to determine which implementation costs to be capitalized. The ASU is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted. The Company does not expect adoption of ASU 2018-15 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements. In August 2018, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) - Disclosure Framework – Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement (ASU 2018-13), an ASU which modifies the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements in ASC 820. The ASU is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted. The Company does not expect adoption of ASU 2018-13 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements. In June 2018, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2018-07, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718) Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting (ASU 2018-07), an ASU which expands the scope of Topic 718 to include share-based payment transactions for acquiring good and services from nonemployees. The ASU is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. The Company does not expect adoption of ASU 2018-07 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements. In February 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-02 Leases (Topic 842) (ASU 2016-02), an ASU requiring the recognition of lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and disclosing key information about leasing arrangements. The ASU is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. In July 2018, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2018-11, Leases (Topic 842) – Targeted Improvements (ASU 2018-11), which provides entities with an additional (and optional) transition method to adopt the new leases standard. Entities may adopt the new leases standard either using the modified retrospective approach or using the optional method to apply the transition provisions of the new standard at its adoption date instead of at the earliest comparative period presented in its financial statements. The Company currently plans to adopt the new standard on January 1, 2019. The Company anticipates that adoption will affect its statement of financial position and will require changes to some of its processes. Most significant to the Company, the new guidance requires lessees to recognize operating building leases with a term of more than 12 months as lease assets and lease liabilities. The Company is currently in the process of evaluating the impact of adoption of ASU 2016-02 will have on its consolidated financial statements. In June 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments — Credit Losses (Topic 326), Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (ASU 2016-13), an ASU amending the impairment model for most financial assets and certain other instruments. The ASU is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted after December 15, 2018. The ASU must be adopted using a modified-retrospective approach. The Company does not expect adoption of ASU 2016-13 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

Revenue Recognition	9 Months Ended
Revenue Recognition	Sep. 30, 2018
Revenue From Contract With Customer [Abstract]
Revenue Recognition	(3) Revenue Recognition The Company generates the majority of its revenues from advertisers for its performance based advertising services, which include the use of its call analytics technology and pay-for-call advertising products and services. The Company’s revenue also consists of payments from its reseller partners for use of its local leads platform and marketing services, which they offer to their small business customers. Customers typically receive the benefit of the Company’s services as they are performed and substantially all the Company’s revenue is recognized over time as the services are performed. The Company’s call analytics technology platform provides data and insights that can measure the performance of mobile, online and offline advertising for advertisers and small business resellers. The Company generates revenue from the Company’s call analytics technology platform when advertisers pay the Company a fee for each call or call related data element they receive from calls including call-based ads the Company distributes through its sources of call distribution or for each phone number tracked based on a pre-negotiated rate. Revenue is recognized as services are provided over time, which is generally measured by the delivery of each call or call related data element or each phone number tracked. The Company’s call marketplace offers advertisers and adverting service providers’ ad placements across the Company’s distribution network. Advertisers or advertising service providers are charged on a pay-per-call or cost-per-action basis. The Company generates revenue upon delivery of qualified and reported phone calls to advertisers or advertising service providers’ listings. These advertisers and advertising service providers pay the Company a designated transaction fee for each qualified phone call, which occurs when a user makes a phone call, clicks, or completes a specified action on any of their advertisement listings after it has been placed by the Company or by the Company’s distribution partners. The Company also generates revenue from cost-per-action services, which occurs when a user makes a phone call from the Company’s advertiser’s listing or is redirected from one of the Company’s web sites or a third-party web site in the Company’s distribution network to an advertiser web site and completes the specified action. Each qualified phone call or specified action on a listing represents a completed transaction. Revenue is recognized as services are provided upon the delivery of a qualified phone call or completed action. The Company’s distribution network is primarily comprised of third party mobile and online search engines and applications, mobile carriers, directories, destination sites, shopping engines, internet domains or web sites, other targeted Web-based content, and offline sources. The Company enters into agreements with these third-party distribution partners to provide distribution for pay-for-call advertisement listings, which contain call tracking numbers and/or URL strings. The Company generally pays distribution partners based on a percentage of revenue or a fixed amount per phone call or other actions on these listings. The Company acts as the principal with the advertiser for revenue call transactions, and is responsible for the fulfillment of services. The Company recognizes revenue for these fees under the gross revenue recognition method. The Company’s local leads platform allows reseller partners to sell call advertising, search marketing, and other lead generation products through their existing sales channels to small business advertisers. The Company generates revenue from reseller partners utilizing the Company’s local leads platform and is paid account fees and/or agency fees for the Company’s products in the form of a percentage of the cost of every call or click delivered to advertisers. Revenue is recognized over time as services are provided. The reseller partners engage the advertisers and are the principal for the transaction, and the Company, in certain instances, is only financially liable to the publishers in the Company’s capacity as a collection agency for the amount collected from the advertisers. The Company recognizes revenue for these fees under the net revenue recognition method. In limited arrangements resellers pay the Company a fee for fulfilling an advertiser’s campaign in its distribution network and the Company acts as the principal and recognizes revenue for these fees under the gross revenue recognition method. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, revenues disaggregated by service type were $18.4 million and $56.9 million for performance based advertising services, respectively, and $1.6 million and $5.2 million for local leads services, respectively. The majority of the Company’s customers are invoiced on a monthly basis following the month of the delivery of services and are required to make payments under standard credit terms. The Company establishes an allowance for advertiser credits, which is included in accrued expense and other current liabilities in the balance sheet as of September 30, 2018, using its best estimate of the amount of expected future reductions in advertisers’ payment obligations related to delivered services based on analysis of historical credits. Customer payments received in advance of revenue recognition are contract liabilities and are recorded as deferred revenue. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, revenue recognized that was included in the contract liabilities balance at the beginning of the period was insignificant. The majority of the Company’s total revenue is derived from contracts that include consideration that is variable in nature. The variable elements of these contracts primarily include the number of transactions (for example, the number qualified phone calls). For contracts with an effective term greater than one year, the Company applies the standard’s practical expedient that permits the exclusion of disclosure of the value of unsatisfied performance obligations for these contracts as the Company’s right to consideration corresponds directly to the value provided to the customer for services completed to date and all future variable consideration is allocated to wholly unsatisfied performance obligations. A term for purposes of these contracts has been estimated at 24 months. In addition, the Company applies the standard’s optional exemption to disclose information about performance obligations for contracts that have original expected terms of one year or less. For arrangements that include multiple performance obligations, the transaction price from the arrangement is allocated to each respective performance obligation based on its relative standalone selling price and recognized when revenue recognition criteria for each performance obligation are met. The standalone selling price for each performance obligation is established based on the sales price at which the Company would sell a promised good or service separately to a customer or the estimated standalone selling price. In certain cases, the Company records revenue based on available and reported preliminary information from third parties. Collection on the related receivables may vary from reported information based upon third-party refinement of the estimated and reported amounts owed that occurs subsequent to period ends. The Company’s incremental direct costs of obtaining a contract, which consist primarily of sales commissions, are generally deferred and amortized to sales and marketing expense over the estimated life of the relevant customer relationship of approximately 24 months and are subject to being monitored every period to reflect any significant change in assumptions. In addition, the deferred contract cost asset is assessed for impairment on a periodic basis. The Company’s contract acquisition costs are included in other assets, net in the balance sheet. The Company is applying the standard’s practical expedient permitting expensing of costs to obtain a contract when the expected amortization period is one year or less, which typically results in expensing commissions paid to acquire certain contracts. As of September 30, 2018, the Company had $342,000 of net deferred contract costs and the amortization associated with these costs was $90,000 and $233,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, respectively.

Stock-based Compensation Plans

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]

Stock-based Compensation Plans

(4) Stock-based Compensation Plans

The Company grants stock-based awards, including stock options, restricted stock awards, and restricted stock units. The Company measures stock-based compensation cost at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and recognizes it as expense over the vesting or service period, as applicable, of the stock-based award using the straight-line method. The Company accounts for forfeitures as they occur.

Stock-based compensation expense was included in the following operating expense categories as follows (in thousands):

	Nine Months Ended September 30,				Three Months Ended September 30,
	2017		2018		2017		2018
Service costs	$	385	$	338	$	130	$	108
Sales and marketing		768		411		299		125
Product development		497		276		199		94
General and administrative		1,850		1,310		534		375
Total stock-based compensation	$	3,500	$	2,335	$	1,162	$	702

The Company uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model to estimate the per share fair value of stock option grants with time-based vesting. The Black-Scholes model relies on a number of key assumptions to calculate estimated fair values. The expected life of each award granted was determined based on historical experience with similar awards, giving consideration to contractual terms, anticipated exercise patterns, vesting schedules and expirations. Expected volatility is based on historical volatility levels of the Company’s Class B common stock and the expected volatility of companies in similar industries that have similar vesting and contractual terms. The risk-free interest rate is based on the implied yield currently available on U.S. Treasury issues with terms approximately equal to the expected life of the option. For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, the Company used an expected dividend yield for grants prior to the record date of the Company’s common stock cash dividend payment in March 2018.

The following weighted average assumptions were used in determining the fair value of time-vested stock option grants for the periods presented:

	Nine Months Ended September 30,		Three Months Ended September 30,
	2017	2018	2017	2018
Expected life (in years)	4.0-6.25	4.0-6.25	4.0-6.25	4.0-6.25
Risk-free interest rate	1.68-1.96%	2.54%-2.93%	1.71-1.96%	2.86%-2.93%
Expected volatility	55-56%	42%-53%	55%	42%-49%
Expected dividend yield	0%	0%-3.57%	0%	0%

Stock option activity during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 is summarized as follows:

	Shares (in thousands)			Weighted average exercise price		Weighted average remaining contractual term (in years)
Balance at December 31, 2017		5,713		$	5.33		5.93
Options granted		677			2.83
Options forfeited		(274	)		3.24
Options expired		(659	)		6.05
Options exercised		(25	)		2.66
Balance at September 30, 2018		5,432		$	5.05		5.72

Restricted stock awards and restricted stock units are generally measured at fair value on the date of grant based on the number of awards granted and the quoted price of the Company’s common stock. Restricted stock units entitle the holder to receive one share of the Company’s Class B common stock upon satisfaction of certain service conditions.

Restricted stock awards and restricted stock unit activity during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 is summarized as follows:

	Shares/ Units (in thousands)			Weighted average grant date fair value
Unvested balance at December 31, 2017		1,871		$	3.25
Granted		120			2.93
Vested		(484	)		4.47
Forfeited		(387	)		3.31
Unvested balance at September 30, 2018		1,120		$	3.56

Net Income (Loss) Per Share

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Net Income (Loss) Per Share

(5) Net Income (Loss) Per Share

The Company computes net income (loss) per share of Class A and Class B common stock using the two class method. Under the provisions of the two class method, basic net income (loss) per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) applicable to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the year. Diluted net income (loss) per share is computed by dividing net income (loss) applicable to common stockholders by the weighted average number of common and dilutive common equivalent shares outstanding during the period. The computation of the diluted net income (loss) per share of Class B common stock assumes the conversion of Class A common stock to Class B common stock, while the diluted net income (loss) per share of Class A common stock does not assume the conversion of those shares.

In accordance with the two class method, the undistributed earnings (losses) for each year are allocated based on the contractual participation rights of the Class A and Class B common shares and the restricted shares as if the earnings for the year had been distributed. Considering the terms of the Company’s charter which provides that, if and when dividends are declared on the Company’s common stock in accordance with Delaware General Corporation Law, equivalent dividends shall be paid with respect to the shares of Class A common stock and Class B common stock and that both classes of common stock have identical dividend rights and would share equally in the Company’s net assets in the event of liquidation, the Company has allocated undistributed earnings (losses) on a proportionate basis.

Instruments granted in unvested share-based payment awards that contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents, whether paid or unpaid, are participating securities prior to vesting. As such, the Company’s restricted stock awards are considered participating securities for purposes of calculating earnings per share.

The following tables present the computation of basic net loss per share applicable to common stockholders for the periods ended (in thousands, except per share amounts):

	Nine months ended September 30,
	2017						2018
	Class A			Class B			Class A			Class B
Basic net loss per share:
Numerator:
Net loss applicable to common stockholders	$	(665	)	$	(4,936	)	$	(244	)	$	(1,797	)
Denominator:
Weighted average number of shares outstanding used to calculate basic net loss per share		5,056			37,565			5,056			37,243
Basic net loss per share applicable to common stockholders	$	(0.13	)	$	(0.13	)	$	(0.05	)	$	(0.05	)

	Three months ended September 30,
	2017						2018
	Class A			Class B			Class A			Class B
Basic net loss per share:
Numerator:
Net loss applicable to common stockholders	$	(96	)	$	(715	)	$	(56	)	$	(401	)
Denominator:
Weighted average number of shares outstanding used to calculate basic net loss per share		5,056			37,820			5,056			36,127
Basic net loss per share applicable to common stockholders	$	(0.02	)	$	(0.02	)	$	(0.01	)	$	(0.01	)

The following tables present the computation of diluted net loss per share applicable to common stockholders for the periods ended (in thousands, except per share amounts):

	Nine months ended September 30,
	2017						2018
	Class A			Class B			Class A			Class B
Diluted net loss per share:
Numerator:
Net loss applicable to common stockholders	$	(665	)	$	(4,936	)	$	(244	)	$	(1,797	)
Reallocation of net loss for Class A shares as a result of conversion of Class A to Class B shares		—			(665	)		—			(244	)
Diluted net loss applicable to common stockholders	$	(665	)	$	(5,601	)	$	(244	)	$	(2,041	)
Denominator:
Weighted average number of shares outstanding used to calculate basic net loss per share		5,056			37,565			5,056			37,243
Conversion of Class A to Class B common shares outstanding		—			5,056			—			5,056
Weighted average number of shares outstanding used to calculate diluted net loss per share		5,056			42,621			5,056			42,299
Diluted net loss per share applicable to common stockholders	$	(0.13	)	$	(0.13	)	$	(0.05	)	$	(0.05	)

	Three months ended September 30,
	2017						2018
	Class A			Class B			Class A			Class B
Diluted net loss per share:
Numerator:
Net loss applicable to common stockholders	$	(96	)	$	(715	)	$	(56	)	$	(401	)
Reallocation of net loss for Class A shares as a result of conversion of Class A to Class B shares		—			(96	)		—			(56	)
Diluted net loss applicable to common stockholders	$	(96	)	$	(811	)	$	(56	)	$	(457	)
Denominator:
Weighted average number of shares outstanding used to calculate basic net loss per share		5,056			37,820			5,056			36,127
Conversion of Class A to Class B common shares outstanding		—			5,056			—			5,056
Weighted average number of shares outstanding used to calculate diluted net loss per share		5,056			42,876			5,056			41,183
Diluted net loss per share applicable to common stockholders	$	(0.02	)	$	(0.02	)	$	(0.01	)	$	(0.01	)

The computation of diluted net loss per share excludes the following because their effect would be anti-dilutive (in thousands):

•

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2018, outstanding options to acquire 6,277 and 5,432 shares, respectively of Class B common stock.

•

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2018, 748 and 585 shares of unvested Class B restricted common shares, respectively.

•

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2018, 1,381 and 535 restricted stock units, respectively.

Concentrations

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Risks And Uncertainties [Abstract]

Concentrations

(6) Concentrations

The Company maintains substantially all of its cash and cash equivalents with two financial institutions and are all considered at Level 1 fair value with observable inputs that reflect quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets. At various points during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2018, the Company held cash equivalents in deposit sweep accounts with these same financial institutions. These Level 2 assets were fully liquidated prior to September 30, 2017 and 2018.

The advertisers representing more than 10% of revenue are as follows (in percentages):

	Nine Months Ended September 30,						Three Months Ended September 30,
	2017			2018			2017			2018
Advertiser A		22	%		22	%		21	%		25	%
Advertiser B		16	%		21	%		15	%		16	%

Advertiser A is also a distribution partner.

The outstanding receivable balance for each advertiser representing more than 10% of accounts receivable is as follows (in percentages):

	At December 31, 2017			At September 30, 2018
Advertiser A		17	%		13	%
Advertiser B		31	%		29	%
Advertiser C		10	%	*

* Less than 10% of accounts receivable.

In certain cases, the Company may engage directly with one or more advertising agencies who act on an advertiser’s behalf. In addition, an advertising agency may represent more than one advertiser that utilizes the Company’s products and services. One advertising agency represented 12% and 15% of revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, respectively, and less than 10% of revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017. This same advertising agency represented 21% and 22% of accounts receivable as of December 31, 2017 and September 30, 2018, respectively. One other advertising agency represented 11% and less than 10% of accounts receivable as of December 31, 2017 and September 30, 2018, respectively.

A significant amount of the Company’s revenue earned from advertisers is generated through arrangements with distribution partners. The Company may not be successful in renewing any of these agreements, or, if they are renewed, they may not be on terms as favorable as current arrangements. The Company may not be successful in entering into agreements with new distribution partners or advertisers on commercially acceptable terms. In addition, several of these distribution partners or advertisers may be considered potential competitors. There were no distribution partners paid more than 10% of revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2018.

Commitments, Contingencies, Taxes and Other

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Commitments Contingencies Taxes And Other [Abstract]

Commitments, Contingencies, Taxes and Other

(9) Commitments, Contingencies, Taxes and Other

(a) Commitments

The Company has commitments for future payments related to office facilities leases and other contractual obligations. The Company leases its office facilities under operating lease agreements and recognizes rent expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term with any lease incentive amortized as a reduction of rent expense over the lease term. Other contractual obligations primarily relate to minimum contractual payments due to outside service providers. Future minimum payments are approximately as follows (in thousands):

	Facilities operating leases		Other contractual obligations		Total
2018	$	361	$	861	$	1,222
2019		1,476		2,006		3,482
2020		1,520		117		1,637
2021		1,566		4		1,570
2022 and after		5,417		4		5,421
Total minimum payments	$	10,340	$	2,992	$	13,332

In June 2017, the Company entered into an amendment to the lease agreement originally dated in June 2009 and as amended to date, with respect to office space in Seattle, Washington. The amendment extends the lease term for a period of 84 months expiring on March 31, 2025 and reduces the leased office space starting on September 1, 2017. The Company has the option to terminate the lease in March 2023, subject to satisfaction of certain conditions, including a payment of a termination fee of approximately $671,000. In addition, the lessor will pay towards the cost of certain leasehold improvements (“landlord contribution”) of which the Company may use up to approximately $180,000 of any unused landlord contribution as a credit against any payment obligation under the lease. In 2018, the lessor refunded the previously provided security deposit and the Company provided a letter of credit to the lessor in the amount of $575,000, which will be reduced by $100,000 annually starting in April 2019. The letter of credit is collateralized by a $575,000 certificate of deposit which is restricted in use and is included in other assets in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2018.

Rent expense incurred by the Company was approximately $651,000 and $369,000 for the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2018, respectively, and was approximately $1.6 million and $1.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2018, respectively.

(b) Contingencies

The Company from time to time is a party to disputes and legal and administrative proceedings arising from the ordinary course of business. In some agreements to which the Company is a party, the Company has agreed to indemnification provisions of varying scope and terms with advertisers, vendors and other parties with respect to certain matters, including, but not limited to, losses arising out of the Company’s breach of agreements or representations and warranties made by the Company, services to be provided by the Company and intellectual property infringement claims made by third parties. As a result of these provisions, the Company may from time to time provide certain levels of financial support to our contract parties to seek to minimize the impact of any associated litigation in which they may be involved. To date, there have been no known events or circumstances that have resulted in any material costs related to these indemnification provisions and no liabilities therefore have been recorded in the accompanying consolidated financial statements. However, the maximum potential amount of the future payments we could be required to make under these indemnification provisions could be material.

While any litigation contains an element of uncertainty, the Company is not aware of any legal proceedings or claims which are pending that the Company believes, based on current knowledge, will have, individually or taken together, a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.

The Company determined that it is not more likely than not that its deferred tax assets will be realized and accordingly recorded 100% valuation allowance against these deferred tax assets as of December 31, 2017 and September 30, 2018. In assessing whether it is more likely than not that the Company’s deferred tax assets will be realized, factors considered included: historical taxable income, historical trends related to advertiser usage rates, projected revenues and expenses, macroeconomic conditions, issues facing the industry, existing contracts, the Company’s ability to project future results and any appreciation of its other assets. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets depends on the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences are deductible. The Company considered the future reversal of deferred tax liabilities, carryback potential, projected taxable income, and tax planning strategies as well as its history of taxable income or losses in the relevant jurisdictions in making this assessment. Based on the level of historical taxable losses and the uncertainty of projections for future taxable income over the periods for which the deferred tax assets are deductible, the Company concluded that it is not more likely than not that the gross deferred tax assets will be realized.

From time to time, various state, federal and other jurisdictional tax authorities undertake audits of the Company and its filings. In evaluating the exposure associated with various tax filing positions, the Company on occasion accrues charges for uncertain positions. Resolution of uncertain tax positions will impact our effective tax rate when settled. The Company does not have any significant interest or penalty accruals. The provision for income taxes includes the impact of contingency provisions and changes to contingencies that are considered appropriate. The Company files U.S. federal, certain U.S. states, and certain foreign tax returns. Generally, U.S. federal, U.S. state, and foreign tax returns filed for years after 2012 are within the statute of limitations and are under examination or may be subject to examination.

(d) Other

In the first quarter of 2017, the Company incurred approximately $700,000 of employee separation related costs as part of savings measures implemented in 2017, all of which were paid in the first half of 2017.

Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	9 Months Ended
Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	Sep. 30, 2018
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Accompanying Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements	The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Marchex, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial information and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required by generally accepted accounting principles for annual financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2018, or for any other period. The balance sheet at December 31, 2017 has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements at that date, but does not include all of the information and notes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for complete financial statements. These condensed consolidated financial statements and notes should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, as amended, and filed with the SEC. The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All inter-company transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain reclassifications have been made to the consolidated financial statements in the prior periods to conform to the current period presentation.
Recent Accounting Pronouncement(s) Not Yet Effective	Recent Accounting Pronouncement(s) Not Yet Effective In August 2018, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2018-15, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other – Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40) – Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement that is a Service Contract (ASU 2018-15), an ASU which requires a customer in a cloud computing arrangement that is a service contract to follow the internal-use software guidance in ASC 350-40 to determine which implementation costs to be capitalized. The ASU is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted. The Company does not expect adoption of ASU 2018-15 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements. In August 2018, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820) - Disclosure Framework – Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement (ASU 2018-13), an ASU which modifies the disclosure requirements on fair value measurements in ASC 820. The ASU is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted. The Company does not expect adoption of ASU 2018-13 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements. In June 2018, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2018-07, Compensation - Stock Compensation (Topic 718) Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting (ASU 2018-07), an ASU which expands the scope of Topic 718 to include share-based payment transactions for acquiring good and services from nonemployees. The ASU is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. The Company does not expect adoption of ASU 2018-07 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements. In February 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-02 Leases (Topic 842) (ASU 2016-02), an ASU requiring the recognition of lease assets and lease liabilities on the balance sheet and disclosing key information about leasing arrangements. The ASU is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. In July 2018, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2018-11, Leases (Topic 842) – Targeted Improvements (ASU 2018-11), which provides entities with an additional (and optional) transition method to adopt the new leases standard. Entities may adopt the new leases standard either using the modified retrospective approach or using the optional method to apply the transition provisions of the new standard at its adoption date instead of at the earliest comparative period presented in its financial statements. The Company currently plans to adopt the new standard on January 1, 2019. The Company anticipates that adoption will affect its statement of financial position and will require changes to some of its processes. Most significant to the Company, the new guidance requires lessees to recognize operating building leases with a term of more than 12 months as lease assets and lease liabilities. The Company is currently in the process of evaluating the impact of adoption of ASU 2016-02 will have on its consolidated financial statements. In June 2016, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-13, Financial Instruments — Credit Losses (Topic 326), Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (ASU 2016-13), an ASU amending the impairment model for most financial assets and certain other instruments. The ASU is effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted after December 15, 2018. The ASU must be adopted using a modified-retrospective approach. The Company does not expect adoption of ASU 2016-13 to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
Revenue Recognition	Revenue Recognition The Company generates the majority of its revenues from advertisers for its performance based advertising services, which include the use of its call analytics technology and pay-for-call advertising products and services. The Company’s revenue also consists of payments from its reseller partners for use of its local leads platform and marketing services, which they offer to their small business customers. Customers typically receive the benefit of the Company’s services as they are performed and substantially all the Company’s revenue is recognized over time as the services are performed. The Company’s call analytics technology platform provides data and insights that can measure the performance of mobile, online and offline advertising for advertisers and small business resellers. The Company generates revenue from the Company’s call analytics technology platform when advertisers pay the Company a fee for each call or call related data element they receive from calls including call-based ads the Company distributes through its sources of call distribution or for each phone number tracked based on a pre-negotiated rate. Revenue is recognized as services are provided over time, which is generally measured by the delivery of each call or call related data element or each phone number tracked. The Company’s call marketplace offers advertisers and adverting service providers’ ad placements across the Company’s distribution network. Advertisers or advertising service providers are charged on a pay-per-call or cost-per-action basis. The Company generates revenue upon delivery of qualified and reported phone calls to advertisers or advertising service providers’ listings. These advertisers and advertising service providers pay the Company a designated transaction fee for each qualified phone call, which occurs when a user makes a phone call, clicks, or completes a specified action on any of their advertisement listings after it has been placed by the Company or by the Company’s distribution partners. The Company also generates revenue from cost-per-action services, which occurs when a user makes a phone call from the Company’s advertiser’s listing or is redirected from one of the Company’s web sites or a third-party web site in the Company’s distribution network to an advertiser web site and completes the specified action. Each qualified phone call or specified action on a listing represents a completed transaction. Revenue is recognized as services are provided upon the delivery of a qualified phone call or completed action. The Company’s distribution network is primarily comprised of third party mobile and online search engines and applications, mobile carriers, directories, destination sites, shopping engines, internet domains or web sites, other targeted Web-based content, and offline sources. The Company enters into agreements with these third-party distribution partners to provide distribution for pay-for-call advertisement listings, which contain call tracking numbers and/or URL strings. The Company generally pays distribution partners based on a percentage of revenue or a fixed amount per phone call or other actions on these listings. The Company acts as the principal with the advertiser for revenue call transactions, and is responsible for the fulfillment of services. The Company recognizes revenue for these fees under the gross revenue recognition method. The Company’s local leads platform allows reseller partners to sell call advertising, search marketing, and other lead generation products through their existing sales channels to small business advertisers. The Company generates revenue from reseller partners utilizing the Company’s local leads platform and is paid account fees and/or agency fees for the Company’s products in the form of a percentage of the cost of every call or click delivered to advertisers. Revenue is recognized over time as services are provided. The reseller partners engage the advertisers and are the principal for the transaction, and the Company, in certain instances, is only financially liable to the publishers in the Company’s capacity as a collection agency for the amount collected from the advertisers. The Company recognizes revenue for these fees under the net revenue recognition method. In limited arrangements resellers pay the Company a fee for fulfilling an advertiser’s campaign in its distribution network and the Company acts as the principal and recognizes revenue for these fees under the gross revenue recognition method. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, revenues disaggregated by service type were $18.4 million and $56.9 million for performance based advertising services, respectively, and $1.6 million and $5.2 million for local leads services, respectively. The majority of the Company’s customers are invoiced on a monthly basis following the month of the delivery of services and are required to make payments under standard credit terms. The Company establishes an allowance for advertiser credits, which is included in accrued expense and other current liabilities in the balance sheet as of September 30, 2018, using its best estimate of the amount of expected future reductions in advertisers’ payment obligations related to delivered services based on analysis of historical credits. Customer payments received in advance of revenue recognition are contract liabilities and are recorded as deferred revenue. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, revenue recognized that was included in the contract liabilities balance at the beginning of the period was insignificant. The majority of the Company’s total revenue is derived from contracts that include consideration that is variable in nature. The variable elements of these contracts primarily include the number of transactions (for example, the number qualified phone calls). For contracts with an effective term greater than one year, the Company applies the standard’s practical expedient that permits the exclusion of disclosure of the value of unsatisfied performance obligations for these contracts as the Company’s right to consideration corresponds directly to the value provided to the customer for services completed to date and all future variable consideration is allocated to wholly unsatisfied performance obligations. A term for purposes of these contracts has been estimated at 24 months. In addition, the Company applies the standard’s optional exemption to disclose information about performance obligations for contracts that have original expected terms of one year or less. For arrangements that include multiple performance obligations, the transaction price from the arrangement is allocated to each respective performance obligation based on its relative standalone selling price and recognized when revenue recognition criteria for each performance obligation are met. The standalone selling price for each performance obligation is established based on the sales price at which the Company would sell a promised good or service separately to a customer or the estimated standalone selling price. In certain cases, the Company records revenue based on available and reported preliminary information from third parties. Collection on the related receivables may vary from reported information based upon third-party refinement of the estimated and reported amounts owed that occurs subsequent to period ends. The Company’s incremental direct costs of obtaining a contract, which consist primarily of sales commissions, are generally deferred and amortized to sales and marketing expense over the estimated life of the relevant customer relationship of approximately 24 months and are subject to being monitored every period to reflect any significant change in assumptions. In addition, the deferred contract cost asset is assessed for impairment on a periodic basis. The Company’s contract acquisition costs are included in other assets, net in the balance sheet. The Company is applying the standard’s practical expedient permitting expensing of costs to obtain a contract when the expected amortization period is one year or less, which typically results in expensing commissions paid to acquire certain contracts. As of September 30, 2018, the Company had $342,000 of net deferred contract costs and the amortization associated with these costs was $90,000 and $233,000 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, respectively.
Stock-Based Compensation	The Company grants stock-based awards, including stock options, restricted stock awards, and restricted stock units. The Company measures stock-based compensation cost at the grant date based on the fair value of the award and recognizes it as expense over the vesting or service period, as applicable, of the stock-based award using the straight-line method. The Company accounts for forfeitures as they occur. The Company uses the Black-Scholes option pricing model to estimate the per share fair value of stock option grants with time-based vesting. The Black-Scholes model relies on a number of key assumptions to calculate estimated fair values. The expected life of each award granted was determined based on historical experience with similar awards, giving consideration to contractual terms, anticipated exercise patterns, vesting schedules and expirations. Expected volatility is based on historical volatility levels of the Company’s Class B common stock and the expected volatility of companies in similar industries that have similar vesting and contractual terms. The risk-free interest rate is based on the implied yield currently available on U.S. Treasury issues with terms approximately equal to the expected life of the option. For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, the Company used an expected dividend yield for grants prior to the record date of the Company’s common stock cash dividend payment in March 2018.

Stock-based Compensation Plans (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]

Stock-based Compensation Expense Included in Operating Expense

Stock-based compensation expense was included in the following operating expense categories as follows (in thousands):

	Nine Months Ended September 30,				Three Months Ended September 30,
	2017		2018		2017		2018
Service costs	$	385	$	338	$	130	$	108
Sales and marketing		768		411		299		125
Product development		497		276		199		94
General and administrative		1,850		1,310		534		375
Total stock-based compensation	$	3,500	$	2,335	$	1,162	$	702

Assumptions to Estimate Fair Value for Stock Options at Grant Date

The following weighted average assumptions were used in determining the fair value of time-vested stock option grants for the periods presented:

	Nine Months Ended September 30,		Three Months Ended September 30,
	2017	2018	2017	2018
Expected life (in years)	4.0-6.25	4.0-6.25	4.0-6.25	4.0-6.25
Risk-free interest rate	1.68-1.96%	2.54%-2.93%	1.71-1.96%	2.86%-2.93%
Expected volatility	55-56%	42%-53%	55%	42%-49%
Expected dividend yield	0%	0%-3.57%	0%	0%

Summary of Stock Option Activity

Stock option activity during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 is summarized as follows:

	Shares (in thousands)			Weighted average exercise price		Weighted average remaining contractual term (in years)
Balance at December 31, 2017		5,713		$	5.33		5.93
Options granted		677			2.83
Options forfeited		(274	)		3.24
Options expired		(659	)		6.05
Options exercised		(25	)		2.66
Balance at September 30, 2018		5,432		$	5.05		5.72

Summary of Restricted Stock Awards and Restricted Stock Units

Restricted stock awards and restricted stock unit activity during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 is summarized as follows:

	Shares/ Units (in thousands)			Weighted average grant date fair value
Unvested balance at December 31, 2017		1,871		$	3.25
Granted		120			2.93
Vested		(484	)		4.47
Forfeited		(387	)		3.31
Unvested balance at September 30, 2018		1,120		$	3.56

Net Income (Loss) Per Share (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Earnings Per Share [Abstract]

Computation of Loss per Share Basic and Diluted

The following tables present the computation of basic net loss per share applicable to common stockholders for the periods ended (in thousands, except per share amounts):

	Nine months ended September 30,
	2017						2018
	Class A			Class B			Class A			Class B
Basic net loss per share:
Numerator:
Net loss applicable to common stockholders	$	(665	)	$	(4,936	)	$	(244	)	$	(1,797	)
Denominator:
Weighted average number of shares outstanding used to calculate basic net loss per share		5,056			37,565			5,056			37,243
Basic net loss per share applicable to common stockholders	$	(0.13	)	$	(0.13	)	$	(0.05	)	$	(0.05	)

	Three months ended September 30,
	2017						2018
	Class A			Class B			Class A			Class B
Basic net loss per share:
Numerator:
Net loss applicable to common stockholders	$	(96	)	$	(715	)	$	(56	)	$	(401	)
Denominator:
Weighted average number of shares outstanding used to calculate basic net loss per share		5,056			37,820			5,056			36,127
Basic net loss per share applicable to common stockholders	$	(0.02	)	$	(0.02	)	$	(0.01	)	$	(0.01	)

The following tables present the computation of diluted net loss per share applicable to common stockholders for the periods ended (in thousands, except per share amounts):

	Nine months ended September 30,
	2017						2018
	Class A			Class B			Class A			Class B
Diluted net loss per share:
Numerator:
Net loss applicable to common stockholders	$	(665	)	$	(4,936	)	$	(244	)	$	(1,797	)
Reallocation of net loss for Class A shares as a result of conversion of Class A to Class B shares		—			(665	)		—			(244	)
Diluted net loss applicable to common stockholders	$	(665	)	$	(5,601	)	$	(244	)	$	(2,041	)
Denominator:
Weighted average number of shares outstanding used to calculate basic net loss per share		5,056			37,565			5,056			37,243
Conversion of Class A to Class B common shares outstanding		—			5,056			—			5,056
Weighted average number of shares outstanding used to calculate diluted net loss per share		5,056			42,621			5,056			42,299
Diluted net loss per share applicable to common stockholders	$	(0.13	)	$	(0.13	)	$	(0.05	)	$	(0.05	)

	Three months ended September 30,
	2017						2018
	Class A			Class B			Class A			Class B
Diluted net loss per share:
Numerator:
Net loss applicable to common stockholders	$	(96	)	$	(715	)	$	(56	)	$	(401	)
Reallocation of net loss for Class A shares as a result of conversion of Class A to Class B shares		—			(96	)		—			(56	)
Diluted net loss applicable to common stockholders	$	(96	)	$	(811	)	$	(56	)	$	(457	)
Denominator:
Weighted average number of shares outstanding used to calculate basic net loss per share		5,056			37,820			5,056			36,127
Conversion of Class A to Class B common shares outstanding		—			5,056			—			5,056
Weighted average number of shares outstanding used to calculate diluted net loss per share		5,056			42,876			5,056			41,183
Diluted net loss per share applicable to common stockholders	$	(0.02	)	$	(0.02	)	$	(0.01	)	$	(0.01	)

Concentrations (Tables)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2018

Revenue

Schedules of Concentration of Risk, by Risk Factor

The advertisers representing more than 10% of revenue are as follows (in percentages):

	Nine Months Ended September 30,						Three Months Ended September 30,
	2017			2018			2017			2018
Advertiser A		22	%		22	%		21	%		25	%
Advertiser B		16	%		21	%		15	%		16	%

Accounts Receivable

Schedules of Concentration of Risk, by Risk Factor

The outstanding receivable balance for each advertiser representing more than 10% of accounts receivable is as follows (in percentages):

	At December 31, 2017			At September 30, 2018
Advertiser A		17	%		13	%
Advertiser B		31	%		29	%
Advertiser C		10	%	*

Less than 10% of accounts receivable.

Summary of Stock Option and Restricted Stock Activity (Detail) - $ / shares	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]
Number of shares, Beginning Balance	5,713
Options granted, Shares	677
Options forfeited, Shares	(274)
Options expired, Shares	(659)
Options exercised, Shares	(25)
Number of shares, Ending Balance	5,432	5,713
Weighted average exercise price, Beginning Balance	$ 5.33
Options granted, Weighted average exercise price	2.83
Options forfeited, Weighted average exercise price	3.24
Options expired, Weighted average exercise price	6.05
Options exercised, Weighted average exercise price	2.66
Weighted average exercise price, Ending Balance	$ 5.05	$ 5.33
Weighted average remaining contractual term, End of the period	5 years 8 months 19 days	5 years 11 months 4 days

Summary Restricted Stock Awards and Restricted Stock Units Activity (Detail) - Restricted Stock	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018 $ / shares shares
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Unvested Shares, Beginning Balance \| shares	1,871
Granted, Shares \| shares	120
Vested, Shares \| shares	(484)
Forfeited, Shares \| shares	(387)
Unvested Shares, Ending Balance \| shares	1,120
Weighted average grant date fair value, Beginning Balance \| $ / shares	$ 3.25
Granted, Weighted average grant date fair value \| $ / shares	2.93
Vested, Weighted average grant date fair value \| $ / shares	4.47
Forfeited, Weighted average grant date fair value \| $ / shares	3.31
Weighted average grant date fair value, Ending Balance \| $ / shares	$ 3.56

Computation of Loss Per Share Basic and Diluted (Detail) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Numerator:
Net loss applicable to common stockholders	$ (457)	$ (811)	$ (2,041)	$ (5,601)
Numerator:
Net loss applicable to common stockholders	(457)	(811)	(2,041)	(5,601)
Class A
Numerator:
Net loss applicable to common stockholders	$ (56)	$ (96)	$ (244)	$ (665)
Denominator:
Weighted average number of shares outstanding used to calculate basic net loss per share	5,056	5,056	5,056	5,056
Weighted average number of shares outstanding used to calculate diluted net loss per share	5,056	5,056	5,056	5,056
Basic net loss per share applicable to common stockholders	$ (0.01)	$ (0.02)	$ (0.05)	$ (0.13)
Numerator:
Net loss applicable to common stockholders	$ (56)	$ (96)	$ (244)	$ (665)
Diluted net loss applicable to common stockholders	$ (56)	$ (96)	$ (244)	$ (665)
Diluted net loss per share applicable to common stockholders	$ (0.01)	$ (0.02)	$ (0.05)	$ (0.13)
Class B
Numerator:
Net loss applicable to common stockholders	$ (401)	$ (715)	$ (1,797)	$ (4,936)
Denominator:
Weighted average number of shares outstanding used to calculate basic net loss per share	36,127	37,820	37,243	37,565
Conversion of Class A to Class B common shares outstanding	5,056	5,056	5,056	5,056
Weighted average number of shares outstanding used to calculate diluted net loss per share	41,183	42,876	42,299	42,621
Basic net loss per share applicable to common stockholders	$ (0.01)	$ (0.02)	$ (0.05)	$ (0.13)
Numerator:
Net loss applicable to common stockholders	$ (401)	$ (715)	$ (1,797)	$ (4,936)
Reallocation of net loss for Class A shares as a result of conversion of Class A to Class B shares	(56)	(96)	(244)	(665)
Diluted net loss applicable to common stockholders	$ (457)	$ (811)	$ (2,041)	$ (5,601)
Diluted net loss per share applicable to common stockholders	$ (0.01)	$ (0.02)	$ (0.05)	$ (0.13)

Future Minimum Payments (Detail) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018 USD ($)
Contractual Obligation Fiscal Year Maturity Schedule [Abstract]
Facilities operating leases 2018	$ 361
Facilities operating leases 2019	1,476
Facilities operating leases 2020	1,520
Facilities operating leases 2021	1,566
Facilities operating leases 2022 and after	5,417
Facilities operating leases Total minimum payments	10,340
Other contractual obligations 2018	861
Other contractual obligations 2019	2,006
Other contractual obligations 2020	117
Other contractual obligations 2021	4
Other contractual obligations 2022 and after	4
Other contractual obligations, Total minimum payments	2,992
Total 2018	1,222
Total 2019	3,482
Total 2020	1,637
Total 2021	1,570
Total 2022 and after	5,421
Total minimum payments	$ 13,332

Commitments, Contingencies, Taxes and Other - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Jun. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Dec. 31, 2017
Commitments Contingencies Taxes And Other [Line Items]
Amended lease period	84 months				84 months
Payments for lease termination fee	$ 671,000
Lease expiration date	Mar. 31, 2025
Contribution as credit against lease payments	$ 180,000
Letter of credit amount payable		$ 575,000				$ 575,000
Reduction in letters of credit						100,000
Rent expense		$ 369,000	$ 651,000			$ 1,100,000	$ 1,600,000
Percentage of valuation allowance		100.00%				100.00%		100.00%
Employee separation and facility termination related costs incurred				$ 700,000
Employee separation and facility termination related costs paid					$ 700,000
Letter of Credit \| Certificates of Deposit \| Other Assets
Commitments Contingencies Taxes And Other [Line Items]
Debt instrument, collateral amount		$ 575,000				$ 575,000

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Common stock, par value	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	137,500,000	137,500,000
Class A
Common stock, shares authorized	12,500,000	12,500,000
Common stock, shares issued	5,056,000	8,032,000
Common stock, shares outstanding	5,056,000	8,032,000
Class B
Common stock, shares authorized	125,000,000	125,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	36,798,000	38,736,000
Common stock, shares outstanding	36,798,000	38,736,000
Restricted stock, shares outstanding	586,000	710,000

Description of Business and Basis of Presentation	9 Months Ended
Description of Business and Basis of Presentation	Sep. 30, 2018
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Description of Business and Basis of Presentation	(1) Description of Business and Basis of Presentation Marchex, Inc. (the “Company”) was incorporated in the state of Delaware on January 17, 2003. The Company is a call analytics company that helps businesses connect, drive, measure, and convert callers into customers. The Company provides products and services for businesses of all sizes that depend on calls to drive sales. The Company’s analytics technology can facilitate call quality, analyze calls and measure the outcomes of calls. The Company also delivers performance-based, pay-for-call advertising across numerous mobile and online publishers to connect consumers with businesses over the phone. The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Marchex, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial information and pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and notes required by generally accepted accounting principles for annual financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the year ending December 31, 2018, or for any other period. The balance sheet at December 31, 2017 has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements at that date, but does not include all of the information and notes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for complete financial statements. These condensed consolidated financial statements and notes should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017, as amended, and filed with the SEC. The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All inter-company transactions and balances have been eliminated in consolidation. Certain reclassifications have been made to the consolidated financial statements in the prior periods to conform to the current period presentation.

Common Stock	9 Months Ended
Common Stock	Sep. 30, 2018
Equity [Abstract]
Common Stock	(10) Common Stock In November 2014, the Company’s board of directors authorized a share repurchase program (the “2014 Repurchase Program”), which supersedes and replaces any prior repurchase programs. Under the 2014 Repurchase Program, the Company is authorized to repurchase up to 3 million shares of the Company’s Class B common stock in the aggregate through open market and privately negotiated transactions, at such times and in such amounts as the Company deems appropriate. Repurchases may also be made under a Rule 10b5-1 plan, which would permit shares to be repurchased when the Company might otherwise be precluded from doing so under insider trading laws. The timing and actual number of shares repurchased will depend on a variety of factors including price, corporate and regulatory requirements, capital availability, and other market conditions. The 2014 Repurchase Program does not have an expiration date and may be expanded, limited or terminated at any time without prior notice. The Company did not repurchase any Class B common stock under the 2014 Repurchase Program for the nine months ended September 30, 2018. In May 2018, the Company repurchased approximately 2.3 million shares of its Class B common stock for approximately $5.7 million from a former member of the Company’s board of directors. The Company’s board of directors approved the repurchase transaction and the Company retired these shares in the second quarter of 2018. In December 2017, the Company declared a special cash dividend in the amount of $0.50 per share on the Company’s Class A and B common stock and recorded a Dividends Payable of $21.9 million in its consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2017. The Company paid the total dividend of $21.9 million in the first quarter of 2018.

Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail)	Jan. 01, 2018 USD ($)
Difference between Revenue Guidance in Effect before and after Topic 606 \| ASC 606
New Accounting Pronouncements Or Change In Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Decrease to accumulated deficit for cumulative impact of adoption	$ 189,000

Revenue Recognition - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2017
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue disaggregated by service type	$ 20,006,000	$ 22,053,000	$ 62,120,000	$ 68,444,000
Customer Relationship
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Estimated life			24 months
Customer Contracts
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Deferred contract costs, net	342,000		$ 342,000
Amortization associated with deferred contract costs	$ 90,000		$ 233,000
Minimum
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Performance obligations for contracts, effective term	1 year		1 year
Maximum \| Customer Contracts
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Threshold amortization period when company obtains a contact			1 year
Advertising Services
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue disaggregated by service type	$ 18,400,000		$ 56,900,000
Local Leads Revenue
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenue disaggregated by service type	$ 1,600,000		$ 5,200,000

Stock-based Compensation Plans - Additional Information (Detail)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018 shares
Class B
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Restricted stock units holder entitle to receive number of shares of common stock upon certain service conditions	1

Concentrations - Additional Information (Detail)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
Concentrations - Additional Information (Detail)	Sep. 30, 2018 Entity Agency Distributor	Sep. 30, 2017 Agency Distributor	Sep. 30, 2018 Entity Agency Distributor	Sep. 30, 2017 Agency Distributor	Dec. 31, 2017 Agency
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Number of financial institutions \| Entity	2		2
Number of distribution partners that were paid revenue \| Distributor	0	0	0	0
Minimum
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Percentage of revenue as criteria for major distribution partners	10.00%	10.00%	10.00%	10.00%
Revenue \| Customer Concentration Risk
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Number of advertising agencies	1	1	1	1
Concentration risk, percentage	12.00%		15.00%
Revenue \| Customer Concentration Risk \| Maximum
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration risk, percentage		10.00%		10.00%
Accounts Receivable \| Customer Concentration Risk
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Number of advertising agencies			1		1
Concentration risk, percentage			22.00%		21.00%
Accounts Receivable \| Customer Concentration Risk \| Other Advertising Agency
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration risk, percentage					11.00%
Accounts Receivable \| Customer Concentration Risk \| Other Advertising Agency \| Maximum
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration risk, percentage			10.00%

Schedules of Concentration of Risk Based on Accounts Receivable (Detail) - Customer Concentration Risk - Accounts Receivable	6 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration risk, percentage		22.00%	21.00%
Advertiser A
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration risk, percentage	13.00%		17.00%
Advertiser B
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration risk, percentage	29.00%		31.00%
Advertiser C
Concentration Risk [Line Items]
Concentration risk, percentage			10.00%

Segment Reporting and Geographic Information - Additional Information (Detail)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2018 Segment
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of operating segments	1

Property and Equipment (Detail) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	$ 29,046	$ 28,083
Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization	(26,249)	(25,678)
Property and equipment, net	2,797	2,405
Computer and Other Related Equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	20,126	19,157
Purchased and Internally Developed Software
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	6,690	6,687
Furniture and Fixtures
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	1,000	1,071
Leasehold Improvements
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and equipment, gross	$ 1,230	$ 1,168

Common Stock - Additional Information (Detail) - USD ($)	1 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	May 31, 2018	Mar. 31, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017	Nov. 30, 2014
Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items]
Cash dividends declared per share				$ 0.50
Dividends payable				$ 21,900,000
Dividend paid in cash		$ 21,900,000	$ 21,911,000
Class B
Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items]
Number of shares authorized to be repurchased					3,000,000
Treasury stock acquired, shares			0
Treasury stock acquired, value			$ 0
Class B \| Former Member of Board of Directors
Equity, Class of Treasury Stock [Line Items]
Treasury stock acquired, shares	2,300,000
Treasury stock acquired, value	$ 5,700,000

Subsequent Event - Additional Information (Detail) - Canada - Telmetrics, Inc. - USD ($)		9 Months Ended
	Nov. 05, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Contingent consideration arrangements, basis for amount		Future contingent consideration of up to $3.0 million in cash payable on the 12th and 24th month anniversaries of the closing, subject to achieving certain revenue and income growth targets over the corresponding two 12 month periods following the closing
Subsequent Event
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Cash paid on acqusition of issued and outstanding shares	$ 10,100,000
Contingent consideration cash payable on acquisition	3,000,000
Subsequent Event \| Restricted Stock Units and Options
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Restricted stock units and options issued to employees on acquisition	$ 500,000
Subsequent Event \| Minimum \| Restricted Stock Units and Options
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Restricted stock units and options vesting period	3 years
Subsequent Event \| Maximum \| Restricted Stock Units and Options
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Restricted stock units and options vesting period	4 years