Document and Entity Information [Abstract] Document and entity information. Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Document Type Document Period End Date Amendment Flag Document Fiscal Year Focus Document Fiscal Period Focus Current Fiscal Year End Date Entity Filer Category Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets [Abstract] Assets Assets [Abstract] Current assets: Assets, Current [Abstract] Cash and cash equivalents Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period Cash and cash equivalents at end of period Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value Restricted cash Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents, Current Short-term investments Short-term investments Short-term Investments Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,299 and $788, as of October 31, 2012 and April 30, 2012, respectively Accounts Receivable, Net, Current Prepaid expenses and other current assets Prepaid Expense and Other Assets, Current Total current assets Assets, Current Property, equipment, and capitalized internal-use software development costs, net Property, Plant and Equipment, Net Other non-current assets Other Assets, Noncurrent Total assets Assets Liabilities and stockholders' equity Liabilities and Equity [Abstract] Current liabilities: Liabilities, Current [Abstract] Accounts payable Accounts Payable, Current Accrued expenses and other current liabilities Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities Aggregate carrying amount of accrued expenses and other current liabilities (due within one year or within the normal operating cycle if longer) not separately disclosed in the balance sheet. includes costs that are statutory in nature, are incurred on contractual obligations, or accumulate over time and for which invoices have not yet been received or will not be rendered and of liabilities not separately disclosed. Deferred revenue Deferred Revenue, Current Total current liabilities Liabilities, Current Deferred revenue less current portion Deferred Revenue, Noncurrent Deferred tax liability, long-term Deferred Tax Liabilities, Net, Noncurrent Other liabilities, long-term Other Liabilities, Noncurrent Commitments and contingencies (Note 9) Commitments and Contingencies Common stock - $0.0001 par value; 150,000,000 shares authorized, 71,178,419 shares issued and 70,928,419 shares outstanding as of October 31, 2012; 150,000,000 shares authorized, 58,779,937 shares issued and 58,529,937 shares outstanding at April 30, 2012 Common Stock, Value, Issued Treasury stock, at cost - 250,000 shares at October 31, 2012 and April 30, 2012 Treasury Stock, Value Accumulated other comprehensive loss Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax Total liabilities and stockholders' equity Liabilities and Equity Additional paid-in capital Additional Paid in Capital, Common Stock Accumulated deficit Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) Total liabilities Liabilities Common stock, par value Common Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Common stock, shares authorized Common Stock, Shares Authorized Common stock, shares issued Common Stock, Shares, Issued Common stock, shares outstanding Common Stock, Shares, Outstanding Treasury stock, shares Treasury Stock, Shares Revenue Sales Revenue Net Cost of revenue Cost of Goods and Services Sold Gross profit Gross Profit Sales and marketing Selling and Marketing Expense Research and development Research and Development Expense General and administrative General and Administrative Expense Total operating expenses Operating Expenses Operating loss Operating Income (Loss) Other income (expense), net Nonoperating Income (Expense) [Abstract] Operating expenses: Operating Expenses [Abstract] Interest income Investment Income, Interest Other income (expense) Other Nonoperating Income (Expense) Total other income (expense), net Nonoperating Income (Expense) Loss before income taxes Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations before Equity Method Investments, Income Taxes, Extraordinary Items, Noncontrolling Interest Income tax expense Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Net loss Net loss Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent Accretion of redeemable convertible preferred stock Preferred Stock Dividends and Other Adjustments Loss applicable to common stockholders Net loss applicable to common stockholders Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders, Basic Basic and diluted Loss per share, basic and diluted Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations [Abstract] Basic and diluted weighted average number of shares outstanding Weighted average number of shares Weighted Average Number of Shares Outstanding, Basic and Diluted Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss [Abstract] Comprehensive loss Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Attributable to Parent Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities: Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income (Loss) to Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Depreciation and amortization expense Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization Stock-based expense Incremental Stock-based expense Share-based Compensation Bad debt expense Provision for Doubtful Accounts Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Increase (Decrease) in Operating Capital [Abstract] Accounts receivable Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Receivable Other non-current assets Increase (Decrease) in Other Noncurrent Assets Accounts payable Increase (Decrease) in Accounts Payable Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities Deferred revenue Increase (Decrease) in Deferred Revenue Purchases of property, equipment and capitalized internal-use software development costs, net Payments to Acquire Property, Plant, and Equipment Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows [Abstract] Operating activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities [Abstract] Investing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities [Abstract] Purchases of short-term investments Payments to Acquire Short-term Investments Net cash used in investing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities Proceeds from exercise of stock options Proceeds from Stock Options Exercised Net cash provided by financing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities Effect of exchange rate fluctuations on cash and cash equivalents Effect of Exchange Rate on Cash and Cash Equivalents Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, Period Increase (Decrease) Cash paid for income taxes Income Taxes Paid, Net Statement [Table] Statement [Line Items] Financing activities Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities [Abstract] Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract] Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block] Debt Debt Disclosure [Text Block] Loss Per Share Applicable to Common Stockholders Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Debt [Abstract] Loss Per Share Applicable to Common Stockholders [Abstract] Fair Value of Financial Instruments Fair Value of Financial Instruments, Policy [Policy Text Block] Comprehensive Income Comprehensive Income, Policy [Policy Text Block] Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block] Summary of cash and cash equivalents Schedule of Cash and Cash Equivalents [Table Text Block] Summary of fair value of financial assets and liabilities Schedule of Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Table Text Block] Demand deposit accounts [Member] Demand Deposits [Member] Money market funds [Member] Money Market Funds [Member] U.S. Treasury bills [Member] US Treasury Securities [Member] Corporate bonds [Member] Auction Rate Securities [Member] Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Table] Major Types of Debt and Equity Securities [Axis] Major Types of Debt and Equity Securities [Domain] Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities [Line Items] Certificates of deposit (U.S. Gov. guaranteed) [Member] Certificates of Deposit [Member] Available-for-sale securities: Available-for-sale Securities [Abstract] U.S. Treasury notes [Member] US Treasury Notes Securities [Member] Cost Available-for-sale Debt Securities, Amortized Cost Basis Gross Unrealized Gains (Losses) Available-for-sale Securities, Gross Unrealized Gain (Loss) Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) [Member] Fair Value, Inputs, Level 1 [Member] Significant other observable inputs (Level 2) [Member] Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] Significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) [Member] Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member] Total cash and cash equivalents Cash and Cash Equivalents, Fair Value Disclosure Total assets Assets, Fair Value Disclosure Fair Value Measurements, Recurring and Nonrecurring [Table] Measurement Frequency [Axis] Fair Value, Measurement Frequency [Domain] Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] Fair Value, Measurements, Recurring [Member] Fair Value, Hierarchy [Axis] Fair Value, Measurements, Fair Value Hierarchy [Domain] Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items] Assets: Assets, Fair Value Disclosure [Abstract] Goodwill Balance, as of April 30, 2012 Balance, as of October 31, 2012, net Goodwill Standby Letters of Credit [Member] Standby Letters of Credit [Member] Debt (Textual) [Abstract] Debt (Textual) [Abstract] Debt. Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table] Debt Instrument [Axis] Debt Instrument, Name [Domain] Debt Instrument [Line Items] Revolving Line of Credit [Member] Line of Credit [Member] Revolving line of credit with a borrowing capacity Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity Exercise of stock options and vested restricted stock units, Shares Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period Basis of Presentation Basis of Accounting, Policy [Policy Text Block] Potentially dilutive securities (1): Dilutive Securities, Effect on Basic Earnings Per Share [Abstract] Allowance for doubtful accounts Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Receivable, Current Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities: Cash Flow, Noncash Investing and Financing Activities Disclosure [Abstract] Total stockholders' equity Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent Stockholders' equity: Stockholders' Equity Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Acquisition-related and other Client Acquisition Costs Client acquisition costs. Net loss per share applicable to common stockholders: Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Abstract] Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax: Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent [Abstract] Foreign currency translation adjustment Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent Unrealized gain on securities Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Available-for-sale Securities Adjustment, Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax, Portion Attributable to Parent Prepaid expenses and other current assets Increase Decrease in Prepaid Expense and Other Current Asset Increase decrease in prepaid expense and other current asset. Accrued expenses and other current liabilities Increase Decrease in Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities Increase decrease in accrued expenses and other current liabilities. Increase in restricted cash Increase (Decrease) in Restricted Cash Proceeds from sale of short-term investments Proceeds from Sale, Maturity and Collection of Short-term Investments Accretion of redeemable convertible preferred stock Non Cash Investing and Financing Activities Accretion of Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stocks Non cash investing and financing activities accretion of redeemable convertible preferred stocks. Accrued stock offering costs Non Cash Investing and Financing Activities Accrued Stock Offering Cost Non cash investing and financing activities accrued stock offering cost. Supplemental disclosure of other cash flow information: Supplemental Cash Flow Information [Abstract] Other liabilities, long-term Increase (Decrease) in Other Noncurrent Liabilities Organization and Nature of Operations [Abstract] Summary of Significant Accounting Policies Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements Disclosure And Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] Fair Value of Financial Assets and Liabilities [Abstract] Summary of short-term investments Short-term investments: Short-term Investments [Abstract] Summary of fair value of financial assets and liabilities Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Abstract] Changes in goodwill Goodwill [Roll Forward] Loan and security agreement, issue date Line of Credit Facility, Initiation Date Summary of short-term investments Schedule of Available-for-sale Securities Reconciliation [Table Text Block] Computations of loss per share applicable to common stockholders Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block] Acquired intangible assets, net Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill) Summary of cash and cash equivalents Financial Instruments, Financial Assets, Balance Sheet Groupings [Abstract] Schedule of Cash and Cash Equivalents [Table] Cash and Cash Equivalents [Axis] Cash and Cash Equivalents [Domain] U.S. Treasury bills [Member] US Treasury Bill Securities [Member] Corporate bonds (U.S. Gov. guaranteed) [Member] US Government and Government Agencies and Authorities [Member] Cash and Cash Equivalents [Line Items] Short-term Investments [Member] Short-term Investments [Member] Corporate bonds [Member] US Government Corporations and Agencies Securities [Member] Fair Value Available-for-sale Securities, Fair Value Disclosure Schedule of Fair Value of Separate Accounts by Major Category of Investment [Axis] Schedule of Fair Value of Separate Accounts by Major Category of Investment, Category [Domain] Cash equivalents: Cash and Cash Equivalents [Abstract] Cash equivalents Cash Equivalents Fair Value Disclosure Cash equivalents fair value disclosure. Asset Class [Axis] Fair Value by Asset Class [Domain] Outstanding stock options Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Share-based Payment Arrangements Redeemable convertible preferred shares Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Conversion of Preferred Stock Revolving Credit Facility [Member] Revolving Credit Facility [Member] Combined Letter Of Credit And Credit Card Services Subfacility [Member] Combined Letter Of Credit And Credit Card Services Subfacility [Member] Combined letter of credit and credit card services subfacility. Standby letter of credit in favor of its landlord Line of Credit Facility, Increase, Additional Borrowings Amendment Five [Member] Amendment Five [Member] Amendment five. Line of credit facility current borrowing capacity percentage Line Of Credit Facility Current Borrowing Capacity Percentage Line of credit facility current borrowing capacity percentage. Loan Agreement Amendment [Axis] Loan agreement amendment. Loan Agreement Amendment [Domain] Loan agreement amendment. Organization and Nature of Operations Nature of Operations [Text Block] Credit Facility [Axis] Credit Facility [Domain] Common Stock Common Stock [Member] Treasury Stock Treasury Stock [Member] Additional Paid-in Capital Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Member] Accumulated Deficit Retained Earnings [Member] Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders' Equity [Abstract] Equity Components [Axis] Equity Component [Domain] Beginning balance, Shares Ending balance, Shares Shares, Outstanding Beginning balance Ending balance Stockholders' Equity, Including Portion Attributable to Noncontrolling Interest Issuance of stock to acquire PowerReviews, Shares Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Acquisitions Issuance of stock to acquire PowerReviews Issuance of stock for acquisition Stock Issued During Period, Value, Acquisitions Issuance of common stock (net of issuance costs), Shares Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues Issuance of common stock (net of issuance costs) Stock Issued During Period, Value, New Issues Excess tax benefit related to stock-based compensation Excess tax benefit related to stock-based compensation Tax Benefit from Stock Options Exercised Change in foreign currency translation adjustment Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Foreign Currency Transaction and Translation Adjustment, before Tax Exercise of stock options and vested restricted stock units Stock Issued During Period, Value, Stock Options Exercised Change in unrealized (loss)/gain on investments Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments Acquisitions, net of cash acquired Payments to Acquire Businesses, Net of Cash Acquired Business Combinations Subsequent Event, Pro Forma Business Combinations [Text Block] Income Taxes Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] Common Stock [Abstract] Commitments and Contingencies Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Amortization of acquired intangible assets Amortization of Acquired Intangible Assets Business Combinations [Abstract] Income Taxes [Abstract] Commitments and Contingencies [Abstract] Purchase price for PowerReviews Schedule of Purchase Price Allocation [Table Text Block] Changes in goodwill Schedule of Goodwill [Table Text Block] Unaudited pro forma adjusted summary Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information, Nonrecurring Adjustments [Table Text Block] Current deferred tax asset Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Current Deferred Tax Asset Business acquisition purchase price allocation current deferred tax asset. Intangible assets: Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Intangible Assets [Abstract] Business acquisition purchase price allocation intangible assets. Domain name (Indefinite useful life) Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Domain Name Business acquisition purchase price allocation domain name. Developed technology (3 year useful life) Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Developed Technology Business acquisition purchase price allocation developed technology. Customer relationship (3 to 10 year useful life) Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Customer Relationship Business acquisition purchase price allocation customer relationship. Fair Value of Vested Stock Options Assumed Fair Value Of Vested Stock Options Assumed Fair value of vested stock options assumed. Cash and cash equivalents Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Current Assets, Cash and Cash Equivalents Accounts receivable Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Current Assets, Receivables Prepaid expenses and other current assets Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Current Assets, Prepaid Expense and Other Assets Property and equipment Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Property, Plant and Equipment Goodwill Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Goodwill Amount Total assets acquired Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Assets Acquired Accounts payable Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Current Liabilities, Accounts Payable Accrued liabilities Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Current Liabilities, Accrued Liabilities Deferred revenue Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Current Liabilities, Deferred Revenue Non-current deferred tax liability Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Deferred Tax Liabilities, Noncurrent Total liabilities assumed Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Liabilities Assumed Net assets acquired Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation, Assets Acquired (Liabilities Assumed), Net Cash Cash Common stock Stock Issued During Period, Value, Issued for Cash Purchase price for PowerReviews Business Acquisition, Purchase Price Allocation [Abstract] Increase in goodwill related to acquisition Goodwill, Period Increase (Decrease) Accumulated impairment loss Goodwill, Impairment Loss Basic and Diluted Business Acquisitions Pro Forma Earnings Per Share Basic And Diluted The pro forma basic and diluted net income per share for a period as if the business combination or combinations had been completed at the beginning of a period. Proforma adjusted net loss attributable to Bazaarvoice, Inc. Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Net Income (Loss) Proforma adjusted total revenue Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Revenue Unaudited pro forma adjusted summary Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information [Abstract] Company's effective tax rate Effective Income Tax Rate, Continuing Operations Income Taxes (Textual) [Abstract] Income Taxes (Textual) [Abstract] Income taxes. Business Combinations (Textual) [Abstract] Business Combinations (Textual) [Abstract] Business combinations. Schedule of Business Acquisitions, by Acquisition [Table] Business Acquisition [Axis] Equity Interest Type [Axis] Business Acquisition [Line Items] PowerReviews acquired in cash Cash paid by company Business Acquisition, Cost of Acquired Entity, Cash Paid PowerReviews acquired in shares of common stock Shares issued Business Acquisition, Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Number of Shares Vested and unvested options of PowerReviews Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Outstanding, Number Power Reviews [Member] Power Reviews [Member] PowerReviews. Business Acquisition, Acquiree [Domain] Equity Interest Issued or Issuable, Type [Domain] Common Stock (Textual) [Abstract] Common Stock (Textual) [Abstract] Common stock. Shares were offered by the Company [Member] Shares Offered by Company [Member] Shares were offered by the Company. Shares were offered by selling stockholders [Member] Shares Offered by Selling Stockholders [Member] Shares were offered by selling stockholders. Common stock sold Sale of Stock, Number of Shares Issued in Transaction Gross proceeds raised from the sale of common stock Sale Of Stock Consideration Received On Transaction Gross Gross consideration received on transaction from sale of stock. Net proceeds from the sale of our common stock Sale of Stock, Consideration Received on Transaction Other offering expenses Other Ownership Interests, Offering Costs Selling price per share Sale of Stock, Price Per Share Subsidiary or Equity Method Investee, Sale of Stock by Subsidiary or Equity Investee [Table] Legal Entity [Axis] Entity [Domain] Subsidiary, Sale of Stock [Line Items] Underwriting discounts and commissions Investment Banking, Advisory, Brokerage, and Underwriting Fees and Commissions Balance, as of October 31, 2012, gross Goodwill, Gross Consideration paid per share Business Acquisition, Share Price Common Stock Common Stock Disclosure [Text Block] Common stock disclosure. Total identified intangibles assets Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Identified Intangible Assets Net Business acquisition purchase price allocation identified intangible assets net. Total consideration Consideration Net Consideration net. Proceeds from follow-on stock offering, net of costs Proceeds From Follow on Offering Net of Costs Proceeds from follow on offering net of costs. Stock based compensation related to post service combination service arrangements Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense Payments of initial stock offering costs Payments Of Stock Issuance Costs Unaudited Interim Financial Information Unaudited Interim Financial Information Policy Text Block Unaudited interim financial information. Restricted cash Restricted Investments, at Fair Value Subsequent Events Subsequent Events [Text Block] Restricted cash Business Acquisition Purchase Price Allocation Restricted Cash Business acquisition purchase price allocation restricted cash. Subsequent Events (Textual) [Abstract] Subsequent Events (Textual) [Abstract] Subsequent Events [Abstract] Issuance of restricted stock awards Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Restricted Stock Award, Gross Value of transaction Business Acquisition Value Of Transaction Business acquisition value of transaction. Additional amount received Business Acquisition, Contingent Consideration, at Fair Value Estimated Useful life Acquired Finite-lived Intangible Assets, Weighted Average Useful Life Maximum [Member] Maximum [Member] Minimum [Member] Minimum [Member] Developed Technology [Member] Developed Technology Rights [Member] Customer Relationships [Member] Customer Relationships [Member] Range [Axis] Range [Domain] Finite-Lived Intangible Assets by Major Class [Axis] Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Major Class Name [Domain] Commitments and Contingencies (Textual) [Abstract] Commitments and Contingencies (Textual) [Abstract] Net of liability recovered, minimum Loss Contingency, Range of Possible Loss, Minimum Net of liability recovered, maximum Loss Contingency, Range of Possible Loss, Maximum Accrued liability Loss Contingency Accrual, at Carrying Value Acquisition Costs Business Acquisition Cost Of Acquired Entity Acquisition Costs Business acquisition cost of acquired entity acquisition costs. Excess tax benefit related to stock-based compensation Proceeds and Excess Tax Benefit from Share-based Compensation Derivative Financial Instruments Derivatives, Policy [Policy Text Block] Goodwill Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Goodwill, Policy [Policy Text Block]