Document and Entity Information - shares	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2016	Aug. 01, 2016
Document and Entity Information [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	AUTOBYTEL INC
Entity Central Index Key	0001023364
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		10,785,097
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2016
Trading Symbol	ABTL