How to Use The Trade Desk

A beginner-friendly guide to getting started with The Trade Desk in 2026.

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Best For media buyers, agencies, enterprise advertisers

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Getting Started: Step by Step

Create your The Trade Desk account

Visit The Trade Desk's website and sign up for a trial. You'll need an email address to get started.

Set up your workspace

Once signed in, configure your The Trade Desk workspace. Set your preferences, invite team members if needed, and customize the interface to match your workflow.

Explore programmatic-buying

One of The Trade Desk's key features is programmatic-buying. Navigate to this feature and experiment with it to understand how it fits into your workflow.

Explore connected-tv

One of The Trade Desk's key features is connected-tv. Navigate to this feature and experiment with it to understand how it fits into your workflow.

Explore audio-ads

One of The Trade Desk's key features is audio-ads. Navigate to this feature and experiment with it to understand how it fits into your workflow.

Integrate with your existing tools

Connect The Trade Desk with the other tools you use daily. Most integrations can be set up in the settings or integrations panel.

Start using it for real work

Now that you're set up, start using The Trade Desk for actual tasks. The best way to learn is by doing — don't worry about getting everything perfect right away.

Pro Tips

Start with the free plan or trial to explore The Trade Desk's capabilities before committing to a paid subscription.
Use keyboard shortcuts to speed up your workflow — most tools have extensive shortcut systems.
Check The Trade Desk's official documentation and community forums for advanced tips and best practices.
Review your workflow after 2 weeks of use and adjust your setup based on what's working and what isn't.