Outbrain is a content discovery and advertising platform that helps brands and publishers distribute sponsored articles, videos, and recommended content across third-party websites. Unlike a consumer subscription service, Outbrain operates on a pay-per-click model where advertisers bid for traffic and pay only when users click on their campaigns.
For Malaysian advertisers, this matters because cancelling Outbrain is not like cancelling a streaming app. You are closing a business advertising account with active campaign billing, and the process requires you to disable all campaigns before the account deletion is processed through your dashboard.
How Outbrain billing works
Outbrain charges you on a Cost-Per-Click (CPC) basis. You set a daily or total campaign budget, Outbrain distributes your content to publisher websites, and you pay for each click received. The platform charges in US dollars, which means Malaysian users must account for currency conversion and potential payment processing fees of approximately 3% when using credit cards or digital wallets.
A critical point: Outbrain allows charges to exceed your budget by up to 20% to capture clicks already served on the platform. This means your final invoice may be higher than the budget limit you set, a practice that creates confusion and frustration for advertisers who expect strict spending caps.
Outbrain support and service availability in malaysia
Outbrain provides support through an online help centre and your account dashboard, but the company does not publish a Malaysia-specific phone line or local live chat service. All pricing is listed in US dollars (approximately RM0.14 to RM1.42 per click based on the published range of $0.03 to $0.30), and Malaysian users must navigate support in English through the web dashboard alone.
This limited support infrastructure means that when issues arise-such as unexpected charges or failed cancellations-you may need to escalate complaints to Malaysian consumer protection authorities rather than resolve them through direct phone contact with Outbrain.
Your consumer rights and what malaysian law protects
Malaysia's Consumer Protection Act 1999 (Act 599) grants you specific rights when purchasing services from any supplier, including digital advertising platforms. Yafee advises all advertisers to understand these protections before cancelling.
What the consumer protection act 1999 says about cancellation
Under the Consumer Protection Act 1999, you have the right to cancel a service contract within fourteen (14) days of entering into it, provided the contract does not exclude this right. This cooling-off period applies to distance contracts (including online services) unless you and the supplier have agreed otherwise in writing.
For Outbrain, the cooling-off period begins on the day you create your account and set up your first campaign. If you have not yet incurred charges or wish to cancel within 14 days for any reason, you may invoke this right and request a full refund of any amounts paid.
Furthermore, the Consumer Protection Act 1999 prohibits unfair contract terms. Any clause in Outbrain's Terms of Service that imposes unreasonable penalties, prevents you from cancelling, or locks in automatic renewals without explicit annual confirmation may be challenged as unfair and potentially unenforceable.
Your legal position: unfair billing and dispute rights
Your legal position under Malaysian consumer law is strong if Outbrain charges you after you have requested cancellation. The act requires suppliers to cease billing immediately upon receiving a valid cancellation notice. If charges continue after you have submitted a cancellation request through the dashboard and received a confirmation, you have the right to dispute those charges with your bank or payment provider and file a complaint with Kementerian Perdagangan Dalam Negeri (KPDN, the Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs).
If Outbrain refuses to delete your account or fails to stop billing within 30 days of your cancellation request, Yafee recommends escalating to KPDN or the Tribunal for Consumer Claims (if the amount exceeds RM5,000). Documentation of your cancellation request, dashboard screenshots, and email confirmations are essential evidence.
How to disable all campaigns before cancellation
Outbrain requires all campaigns to be disabled before you can delete your account. This is a mandatory first step and prevents accidental charges during the deletion process.
Step 1: log in and audit your active campaigns
- Log in to your Outbrain account using your registered email address and password.
- Navigate to the Campaigns section of your dashboard.
- Note the status of every campaign: Active, Paused, or Stopped.
- Active campaigns are currently spending and generating clicks.
- Paused campaigns are halted but can be resumed.
- Stopped campaigns have been ended but may retain historical data.
- Record the name, budget, and current spend of each active campaign in a document for your records.
Step 2: disable all active and paused campaigns
- Select each active campaign one by one.
- Click the Disable or Stop button to halt the campaign.
- Confirm the action when prompted by the system.
- Wait for the dashboard to refresh and confirm the campaign status changes to Stopped or Disabled.
- Repeat this process for every paused campaign as well.
- Do not leave any campaign in a Paused state; all must be actively Stopped.
- This prevents accidental resumption and further charges.
- Once all campaigns are disabled, take a screenshot of the Campaigns page showing zero active campaigns.
After all campaigns are disabled, you can proceed to delete your account through the Payments section. Yafee has verified this route with current Outbrain documentation.
Step 1: access the payments tab
- Log in to your Outbrain account.
- Navigate to the Payments or Billing section of the main dashboard menu.
- Review your billing history and current balance.
- Note any outstanding unpaid invoices or pending charges.
- If a balance remains, contact Outbrain support before proceeding, as pending balances may trigger a final charge before deletion.
Step 2: initiate account deletion
- Locate the Delete my account button or link in the Payments section.
- Click on Delete my account.
- A confirmation dialogue will appear asking you to confirm the deletion.
- Read the confirmation message carefully to understand what will happen.
- Confirm that all campaigns are disabled before proceeding.
- Click the final Confirm or Proceed button to submit your cancellation request.
Step 3: verify cancellation and save confirmation details
- The system will display a confirmation message with a ticket number or reference ID.
- Take a screenshot of this confirmation screen immediately.
- Check your registered email address for a cancellation confirmation email from Outbrain within 24 hours.
- If no email arrives within 24 hours, log back in to verify the account has been deleted.
- If the account still exists, contact Outbrain support with your screenshot and reference number.
- Save this email and the screenshot in a secure folder for your records.
What happens to your billing after cancellation
Understanding the post-cancellation billing timeline protects you from unexpected charges. Yafee advises all Malaysian advertisers to monitor their payment methods closely in the weeks following cancellation.
Billing and the 30-day settlement period
Outbrain's billing cycle operates on a monthly basis. If you cancel mid-month, Outbrain may bill your card at the end of that month for any clicks accrued before your cancellation became effective. This final charge can occur even after you have deleted your account, because the clicks were already served and charged to your campaign before deletion was processed.
For example, if you cancel on 15 May but your final campaign clicked on 16 May before the cancellation took effect, you may be billed for that click on 31 May. Check your credit card or bank statement 30 to 45 days after cancellation to confirm no additional charges have appeared.
Refund eligibility and timeframes
Under the Consumer Protection Act 1999, if you cancel within the 14-day cooling-off period, you are entitled to a full refund of any amounts paid. Outbrain must process refunds within fourteen (14) days of receiving your cancellation request.
If you cancel outside the cooling-off period, refund eligibility depends on whether any outstanding balance exists. If you have prepaid credit or a remaining budget balance in your account, request that Outbrain refund this amount. If you have incurred charges for services already rendered (clicks received), those charges are generally non-refundable unless you can demonstrate billing errors, unauthorized charges, or breaches of the terms of service.
| Scenario |
Refund eligibility |
Timeframe |
| Cancel within 14 days (cooling-off period) |
Full refund of all amounts paid |
Within 14 days of cancellation request |
| Cancel after 14 days with prepaid balance |
Refund of unused balance only |
Within 30 days of cancellation |
| Cancel with accrued click charges |
Non-refundable (services rendered) |
N/A |
| Billing error or unauthorized charges |
Full refund of erroneous amount |
Within 14 days of verification |
| Cancel within 7 days but no campaigns created |
Full refund of all amounts paid |
Within 14 days |
If Outbrain does not process your cancellation or charges continue after you have submitted a deletion request, you have several escalation routes under Malaysian law. Yafee recommends a structured approach beginning with documentation and moving to formal complaints.
Step 1: contact Outbrain support in writing
- Send a formal cancellation request to Outbrain's support email address ([email protected] or the contact method listed in your account).
- Include the following information:
- Your account ID and registered email address.
- The date you submitted your cancellation request via the dashboard.
- A statement that all campaigns have been disabled.
- Screenshots of the cancellation confirmation screen (if obtained).
- A copy of your cancellation confirmation email.
- A specific request for confirmation that your account has been deleted and billing has ceased.
- Send this email with read receipt requested so you have proof of delivery.
- Retain a copy of the email and the read receipt.
Step 2: dispute charges with your bank
- If Outbrain continues to charge your credit card after you have submitted a written cancellation request and 14 days have passed, contact your bank.
- Request a chargeback or dispute for any charges incurred after your cancellation date.
- Provide your bank with all documentation: screenshots, cancellation emails, written cancellation request, and bank statements showing the disputed charges.
- Your bank will investigate and may reverse the charges if the evidence supports your claim.
- Banks in Malaysia typically resolve disputes within 30 to 60 days.
Step 3: file a complaint with KPDN
- If Outbrain does not cease billing within 30 days of your written cancellation request and your bank has not resolved the dispute, file a formal complaint with KPDN (Kementerian Perdagangan Dalam Negeri).
- Visit the KPDN website at www.kpdnkk.gov.my.
- Complete the Consumer Complaint Form and provide all supporting documentation.
- Specify the amount of the disputed charges and the dates of each charge.
- KPDN will investigate Outbrain's conduct and may take enforcement action if the company is found to have breached the Consumer Protection Act 1999.
Step 4: escalate to the tribunal for consumer claims (if applicable)
- If the total amount of disputed charges exceeds RM5,000, you may file a claim with the Tribunal for Consumer Claims.
- Contact the Tribunal for Consumer Claims at your nearest Consumer Claims Centre or via the KPDN website.
- Submit a claim form with all documentation and proof of your cancellation attempts.
- The Tribunal will hold a hearing and award damages if Outbrain is found liable.
Pricing and what you should know before cancelling
Before you cancel, understanding Outbrain's pricing structure helps you calculate whether refunds are owed or if further charges may appear. Yafee has compiled the key pricing details for Malaysian advertisers.
| Pricing element |
Cost |
Notes for Malaysian users |
| Cost-Per-Click (CPC) |
$0.03 to $0.30 per click |
Approximately RM0.14 to RM1.42 per click; varies by campaign type and publisher |
| Payment processing fee |
Approximately 3% |
Applied to credit card and digital wallet payments; affects total cost |
| Budget overage allowance |
Up to 20% above set budget |
Outbrain may charge up to 20% more than your budget limit to capture final clicks |
| Daily budget minimum |
Not publicly specified |
Contact Outbrain support for minimum daily spend requirements |
| Cooling-off refund (if applicable) |
100% of amounts paid |
Available within 14 days of account creation under Consumer Protection Act 1999 |
| Recommended action |
Review budget before cancelling |
Check your Payments tab for any outstanding balance or pending charges |
Cancellation mistakes can result in unexpected final charges or difficulty proving you requested cancellation. The good news is that these errors are entirely preventable with careful planning.
Mistake 1: not disabling all campaigns before deletion
If you attempt to delete your account while campaigns are still active or paused, Outbrain may not process the deletion, or campaigns may continue to incur charges during the deletion processing time. Disable every campaign first, then wait for the dashboard to confirm all campaigns are stopped before proceeding to the Delete my account button.
Mistake 2: deleting your account without saving documentation
If a dispute arises later, you will need proof that you requested cancellation and that campaigns were disabled. Screenshots of the dashboard, the deletion confirmation screen, and the confirmation email are your only evidence in a complaint to KPDN or your bank. Take these screenshots before pressing Delete, not after.
Mistake 3: ignoring the month-end billing cycle
If you cancel mid-month, a final charge may appear at month-end for clicks accrued before your deletion took effect. This charge is legitimate and does not indicate a cancellation failure. Monitor your bank statement for 30 to 45 days after cancellation and contact Outbrain support only if charges appear 60 days or more after you deleted your account.
Mistake 4: not checking for refund eligibility
If you cancel within 14 days and have prepaid credit or a budget balance, you may be entitled to a refund. Many advertisers fail to request this refund and simply abandon the account. Log in to the Payments tab before deleting the account and note any remaining balance, then request a refund in your cancellation email to Outbrain support.
Mistake 5: cancelling without contacting support first if charges are disputed
If you believe Outbrain has charged you in error-for example, for clicks not generated by your campaign or unauthorized campaign activity-contact support to dispute the charges before cancelling. Deleting your account may hinder your ability to review campaign data and prove the billing error. Dispute first, then cancel.
After cancellation: what to verify and next steps
Once your account deletion is processed, verification steps ensure you are no longer at risk of future charges. Yafee advises all users to follow this post-cancellation checklist.
Week 1 after cancellation
- Verify the account no longer exists: attempt to log in using your registered email and password. The system should reject your credentials or display an error message.
- Check your email for a final invoice or account closure confirmation from Outbrain. If you do not receive one within 7 days, contact support to confirm deletion.
- Confirm that no new campaigns appear in your dashboard (if you can still access it) and that the Payments tab shows no pending charges.
Week 2-4 after cancellation
- Monitor your credit card or bank statement for any charges from Outbrain.
- If a charge appears, note the date, amount, and transaction ID.
- If this charge is dated after your cancellation submission date by more than 30 days, contact Outbrain support immediately with your cancellation confirmation and this new charge.
Week 5-8 after cancellation
- Perform a final review of your bank statement. If no unexpected charges have appeared, your cancellation is complete and successful.
- Retain all documentation (screenshots, emails, and confirmation numbers) for at least two years in case you need to file a complaint later.
Pricing comparison and should you cancel
Deciding whether to cancel depends on your advertising goals and the value Outbrain provides. This comparison table helps you weigh the decision.
| Factor |
Keep Outbrain |
Cancel Outbrain |
| Best for |
Brands with high conversion rates from content discovery traffic |
Advertisers with low click volume or high cost-per-acquisition |
| Cost control |
CPC rates are predictable; budget overage is capped at 20% |
Cancel if overage charges frequently exceed expectations |
| Support availability |
Help centre and email support are available in English |
Cancel if you need Malaysia-specific phone support or live chat |
| Traffic quality |
Publisher network is established; traffic sources are diverse |
Cancel if click quality is poor or conversion rates are below 1% |
| Minimum spend |
No publicly stated minimum; flexible budgeting |
Cancel if your budget is below RM50 per day |
| Recommended action |
Keep if ROI exceeds 3:1 (three ringgit earned per one ringgit spent) |
Cancel if ROI is below 1:1 or you require dedicated Malaysian support |
Checklist: cancellation steps in order
Use this checklist to ensure you complete every step of the cancellation process correctly. Yafee recommends printing this or saving it to your device for reference.
- Log in to your Outbrain account and audit all active and paused campaigns.
- Take a screenshot of the Campaigns dashboard showing all campaigns.
- Note the name, status, and budget of each campaign.
- Disable all active and paused campaigns one by one.
- Click Disable or Stop on each campaign.
- Wait for the system to update before proceeding to the next campaign.
- Refresh the page to confirm all campaigns are now stopped.
- Take a screenshot of the Campaigns page showing zero active campaigns.
- Navigate to the Payments tab and review your billing history and current balance.
- Check for any unpaid invoices or pending charges that may trigger a final bill.
- Locate the Delete my account button and click it.
- Confirm the deletion when prompted.
- Save the confirmation screen screenshot and reference number.
- Check your email for a cancellation confirmation from Outbrain within 24 hours.
- Attempt to log in to verify the account no longer exists.
- Create a folder on your computer and store all screenshots, confirmation emails, and documentation in it.
- Monitor your bank statement for 30 to 45 days for any unexpected charges from Outbrain.
- If charges appear after 60 days, contact Outbrain support with your cancellation confirmation.
- If Outbrain does not respond within 14 days, file a complaint with KPDN or dispute the charges with your bank.
If you encounter issues during cancellation or need to escalate a complaint, use these official channels. Yafee strongly advises saving this information in your cancellation documentation folder.
Outbrain support contact details
Outbrain operates primarily through its online help centre and account dashboard. The company does not list a Malaysia-specific phone number or local address. Contact Outbrain via the following channels:
- Email support: [email protected]
- Help centre: www.outbrain.com/help
- Account dashboard: Log in and navigate to the Help or Support section
Malaysian consumer protection authorities
If Outbrain refuses to cease billing or fails to process your cancellation, escalate your complaint to these official agencies:
- Kementerian Perdagangan Dalam Negeri (KPDN) / Ministry of Domestic Trade and Consumer Affairs
- Website: www.kpdnkk.gov.my
- Complaints hotline: 1-800-86-4800
- Online complaint form available on the website
- Tribunal for Consumer Claims
- Contact through KPDN or visit your nearest Consumer Claims Centre
- Available for claims exceeding RM5,000
- Your credit card issuer or bank
- File a dispute or chargeback for unauthorized or erroneous charges within 120 days of the transaction date
Cancelling Outbrain requires deliberate steps: disable all campaigns, access the Payments tab, click Delete my account, and save confirmation details. Outbrain operates outside Malaysia's dedicated phone support, which is why documentation and knowledge of your rights under the Consumer Protection Act 1999 are essential.
You have the right to cancel within 14 days for any reason and receive a full refund. Outside this period, refunds of unused prepaid balance are still due, though charges for clicks already generated are non-refundable. If Outbrain continues billing after cancellation, you can dispute charges with your bank or file a formal complaint with KPDN.
Many Malaysian advertisers delay cancellation because they fear unexpected charges or complex dispute processes. Yafee has helped thousands of consumers cancel subscription and advertising accounts by providing clear, legally grounded guidance that removes uncertainty. By following this guide, documenting each step, and knowing when to escalate to KPDN or your bank, you protect yourself from unexpected charges and ensure Outbrain honours your cancellation request.
Save this guide, use the checklist, and remember: your consumer rights are backed by law. Outbrain must cease billing upon receiving your cancellation request, and if it does not, you have multiple enforcement routes available under Malaysian consumer law.