In response to growing demand for bid management software, Forrester evaluated this category in addition to two others in separate Forrester Waves™: search marketing agencies and SEO platforms. Our 19-criteria evaluation of bid management software providers analyzes and compares five providers that develop and sell proprietary platforms for managing paid search media, including: Adobe Systems, Google (DoubleClick), IgnitionOne, Kenshoo, and Marin Software. This report analyzes the strengths and weaknesses of each player and plots where they stand in relation to each other and to marketers' needs.