Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2013
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Principles of Consolidation	Principles of Consolidation The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Glowpoint and our 100%-owned subsidiaries, Affinity VideoNet Inc., a Delaware corporation, and GP Communications, LLC, whose business function is to provide interstate telecommunications services for regulatory purposes. All material inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates Preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual amounts could differ from the estimates made. We continually evaluate estimates used in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements for reasonableness. Appropriate adjustments, if any, to the estimates used are made prospectively based upon such periodic evaluation. The significant areas of estimation include determining the allowance for doubtful accounts, deferred tax valuation allowance, accrued sales taxes, the estimated life of customer relationships, the estimated lives and recoverability of property and equipment, and the valuation of intangible assets.
Accounting Standards Updates	Accounting Standards Updates There have been no recent accounting pronouncements or changes in accounting pronouncements during the nine months ended September 30, 2013, as compared to the recent accounting pronouncements described in the Company's Audited 2012 Financial Statements, that are of material significance, or have potential material significance to the Company.
Revenue Recognition	Revenue Recognition Revenue billed in advance for video collaboration services is deferred until the revenue has been earned, which is when the related services have been performed. Other service revenue, including amounts passed through based on surcharges from our telecom carriers, related to the network services and collaboration services are recognized as service is provided. As the non-refundable, upfront installation and activation fees charged to the subscribers do not meet the criteria as a separate unit of accounting, they are deferred and recognized over the 12 to 24 month estimated life of the customer relationship. Revenue related to professional services is recognized at the time the services are performed. Revenues derived from other sources are recognized when services are provided or events occur.
Goodwill	Goodwill Goodwill is not amortized but is subject to periodic testing for impairment. The test for impairment will be conducted annually or more frequently if events occur or circumstances change indicating that the fair value of the goodwill may be below its carrying amount. The Company determined that no events occurred or circumstances changed during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 that would indicate that the fair value of goodwill may be below its carrying amount. However, if market conditions deteriorate, or if the Company is unable to execute on its strategies, it may be necessary to record impairment charges in the future.
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts	Allowance for Doubtful Accounts We record an allowance for doubtful accounts based on specifically identified amounts that are believed to be uncollectible. We also record additional allowances based on our aged receivables, which are determined based on historical experience and an assessment of the general financial conditions affecting our customer base. If our actual collections experience changes, revisions to our allowance may be required. After all attempts to collect a receivable have failed, the receivable is written off against the allowance. We do not obtain collateral from our customers to secure accounts receivable.
Taxes Billed to Customers and Remitted to Taxing Authorities	Taxes Billed to Customers and Remitted to Taxing Authorities We recognize taxes billed to customers in revenues and taxes remitted to taxing authorities in our operating expenses, network and infrastructure.
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and Intangible Assets	Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and Intangible Assets We evaluate impairment losses on long-lived assets used in operations, primarily fixed assets and purchased intangible assets subject to amortization, when events and circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the assets might not be recoverable. For purposes of evaluating the recoverability of long-lived assets, the undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated by those assets are compared to the carrying amounts of those assets. If and when the carrying values of the assets exceed their fair values, then the related assets will be written down to fair value.
Capitalized Software Costs	Capitalized Software Costs The Company capitalizes certain costs incurred in connection with developing or obtaining internal-use software. All software development costs have been appropriately accounted for as required by ASC Topic 350-40 “Intangible – Goodwill and Other – Internal-Use Software.” Capitalized software costs are included in “Property and Equipment” on our condensed consolidated balance sheets and are amortized over three to four years. Software costs that do not meet capitalization criteria are expensed as incurred.

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)

9 Months Ended

Sep. 30, 2013

The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Glowpoint and our 100%-owned subsidiaries, Affinity VideoNet Inc., a Delaware corporation, and GP Communications, LLC, whose business function is to provide interstate telecommunications services for regulatory purposes. All material inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Use of Estimates

Preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual amounts could differ from the estimates made. We continually evaluate estimates used in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements for reasonableness. Appropriate adjustments, if any, to the estimates used are made prospectively based upon such periodic evaluation. The significant areas of estimation include determining the allowance for doubtful accounts, deferred tax valuation allowance, accrued sales taxes, the estimated life of customer relationships, the estimated lives and recoverability of property and equipment, and the valuation of intangible assets.

Accounting Standards Updates

There have been no recent accounting pronouncements or changes in accounting pronouncements during the nine months ended September 30, 2013, as compared to the recent accounting pronouncements described in the Company's Audited 2012 Financial Statements, that are of material significance, or have potential material significance to the Company.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue billed in advance for video collaboration services is deferred until the revenue has been earned, which is when the related services have been performed. Other service revenue, including amounts passed through based on surcharges from our telecom carriers, related to the network services and collaboration services are recognized as service is provided. As the non-refundable, upfront installation and activation fees charged to the subscribers do not meet the criteria as a separate unit of accounting, they are deferred and recognized over the 12 to 24 month estimated life of the customer relationship. Revenue related to professional services is recognized at the time the services are performed. Revenues derived from other sources are recognized when services are provided or events occur.

Goodwill

Goodwill is not amortized but is subject to periodic testing for impairment. The test for impairment will be conducted annually or more frequently if events occur or circumstances change indicating that the fair value of the goodwill may be below its carrying amount. The Company determined that no events occurred or circumstances changed during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 that would indicate that the fair value of goodwill may be below its carrying amount. However, if market conditions deteriorate, or if the Company is unable to execute on its strategies, it may be necessary to record impairment charges in the future.

Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

We record an allowance for doubtful accounts based on specifically identified amounts that are believed to be uncollectible. We also record additional allowances based on our aged receivables, which are determined based on historical experience and an assessment of the general financial conditions affecting our customer base. If our actual collections experience changes, revisions to our allowance may be required. After all attempts to collect a receivable have failed, the receivable is written off against the allowance. We do not obtain collateral from our customers to secure accounts receivable.

Taxes Billed to Customers and Remitted to Taxing Authorities

We recognize taxes billed to customers in revenues and taxes remitted to taxing authorities in our operating expenses, network and infrastructure.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and Intangible Assets

We evaluate impairment losses on long-lived assets used in operations, primarily fixed assets and purchased intangible assets subject to amortization, when events and circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the assets might not be recoverable. For purposes of evaluating the recoverability of long-lived assets, the undiscounted cash flows estimated to be generated by those assets are compared to the carrying amounts of those assets. If and when the carrying values of the assets exceed their fair values, then the related assets will be written down to fair value.

Capitalized Software Costs

The Company capitalizes certain costs incurred in connection with developing or obtaining internal-use software. All software development costs have been appropriately accounted for as required by ASC Topic 350-40 “Intangible – Goodwill and Other – Internal-Use Software.” Capitalized software costs are included in “Property and Equipment” on our condensed consolidated balance sheets and are amortized over three to four years. Software costs that do not meet capitalization criteria are expensed as incurred.