Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2019	Nov. 04, 2019
Cover [Abstract]
Entity Registrant Name	MARIN SOFTWARE INC
Entity Central Index Key	0001389002
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	true
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Transition Report	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		6,644,000
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2019
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Entity File Number	001-35838
Entity Tax Identification Number	20-4647180
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Address, Address Line One	123 Mission Street
Entity Address, Address Line Two	27th Floor
Entity Address, City or Town	San Francisco
Entity Address, State or Province	CA
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	94105
City Area Code	415
Local Phone Number	399-2580
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, $0.001 Par Value Per Share
Trading Symbol	MRIN
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ