<?xml version='1.0' encoding='UTF-8'?>
<FilingSummary>
  <Version>3.3.1.900</Version>
  <ProcessingTime/>
  <ReportFormat>html</ReportFormat>
  <ContextCount>249</ContextCount>
  <ElementCount>416</ElementCount>
  <EntityCount>1</EntityCount>
  <FootnotesReported>false</FootnotesReported>
  <SegmentCount>77</SegmentCount>
  <ScenarioCount>0</ScenarioCount>
  <TuplesReported>false</TuplesReported>
  <UnitCount>8</UnitCount>
  <MyReports>
    <Report instance="dmd-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R1.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00090 - Document - Document and Entity Information</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/DocumentDocumentAndEntityInformation</Role>
      <ShortName>Document and Entity Information</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Cover</MenuCategory>
      <Position>1</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dmd-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R2.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00100 - Statement - Consolidated Balance Sheets</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/StatementConsolidatedBalanceSheets</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Balance Sheets</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>2</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dmd-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R3.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00105 - Statement - Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parentheticals)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/StatementConsolidatedBalanceSheetsParentheticals</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parentheticals)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>3</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dmd-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R4.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00200 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Operations</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/StatementConsolidatedStatementsOfOperations</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Operations</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>4</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dmd-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R5.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00300 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/StatementConsolidatedStatementsOfComprehensiveLoss</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>5</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dmd-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R6.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00305 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss (Parenthetical)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/StatementConsolidatedStatementsOfComprehensiveLossParenthetical</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss (Parenthetical)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>6</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dmd-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R7.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00400 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/StatementConsolidatedStatementsOfStockholdersEquity</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>7</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dmd-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R8.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>00500 - Statement - Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/StatementConsolidatedStatementsOfCashFlows</Role>
      <ShortName>Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Statements</MenuCategory>
      <Position>8</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dmd-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R9.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10101 - Disclosure - Company Background and Overview</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/DisclosureCompanyBackgroundAndOverview</Role>
      <ShortName>Company Background and Overview</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>9</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dmd-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R10.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10201 - Disclosure - Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/DisclosureBasisOfPresentationAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>10</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dmd-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R11.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10301 - Disclosure - Property and Equipment</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/DisclosurePropertyAndEquipment</Role>
      <ShortName>Property and Equipment</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>11</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dmd-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R12.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10401 - Disclosure - Intangible Assets</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/DisclosureIntangibleAssets</Role>
      <ShortName>Intangible Assets</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>12</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dmd-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R13.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10501 - Disclosure - Goodwill</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/DisclosureGoodwill</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>13</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dmd-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R14.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10601 - Disclosure - Other Balance Sheet Items</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/DisclosureOtherBalanceSheetItems</Role>
      <ShortName>Other Balance Sheet Items</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>14</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dmd-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R15.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10701 - Disclosure - Debt</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/DisclosureDebt</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>15</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dmd-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R16.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10801 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingencies</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>16</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dmd-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R17.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>10901 - Disclosure - Income Taxes</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxes</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>17</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dmd-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R18.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>11001 - Disclosure - Employee Benefit Plan</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/DisclosureEmployeeBenefitPlan</Role>
      <ShortName>Employee Benefit Plan</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>18</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dmd-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R19.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>11101 - Disclosure - Stock-based Compensation Plans and Awards</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/DisclosureStockBasedCompensationPlansAndAwards</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock-based Compensation Plans and Awards</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>19</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dmd-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R20.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>11201 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/DisclosureStockholdersEquity</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Equity</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>20</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dmd-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R21.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>11301 - Disclosure - Fair Value</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/DisclosureFairValue</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>21</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dmd-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R22.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>11401 - Disclosure - Discontinued Operations</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/DisclosureDiscontinuedOperations</Role>
      <ShortName>Discontinued Operations</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>22</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dmd-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R23.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>11501 - Disclosure - Acquisitions and Dispositions</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/DisclosureAcquisitionsAndDispositions</Role>
      <ShortName>Acquisitions and Dispositions</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>23</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dmd-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R24.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>11601 - Disclosure - Business Segments</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/DisclosureBusinessSegments</Role>
      <ShortName>Business Segments</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>24</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dmd-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R25.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>11701 - Disclosure - Concentrations</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/DisclosureConcentrations</Role>
      <ShortName>Concentrations</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>25</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dmd-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R26.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>11801 - Disclosure - Net Income (Loss) Per Share</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/DisclosureNetIncomeLossPerShare</Role>
      <ShortName>Net Income (Loss) Per Share</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Notes</MenuCategory>
      <Position>26</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dmd-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R27.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>20202 - Disclosure - Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/DisclosureBasisOfPresentationAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesPolicies</Role>
      <ShortName>Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Policies</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/DisclosureBasisOfPresentationAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPolicies</ParentRole>
      <Position>27</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dmd-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R28.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>30203 - Disclosure - Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/DisclosureBasisOfPresentationAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/DisclosureBasisOfPresentationAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPolicies</ParentRole>
      <Position>28</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dmd-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R29.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>30303 - Disclosure - Property and Equipment (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/DisclosurePropertyAndEquipmentTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Property and Equipment (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/DisclosurePropertyAndEquipment</ParentRole>
      <Position>29</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dmd-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R30.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>30403 - Disclosure - Intangible Assets (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/DisclosureIntangibleAssetsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Intangible Assets (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/DisclosureIntangibleAssets</ParentRole>
      <Position>30</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dmd-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R31.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>30503 - Disclosure - Goodwill (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/DisclosureGoodwillTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/DisclosureGoodwill</ParentRole>
      <Position>31</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dmd-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R32.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>30603 - Disclosure - Other Balance Sheet Items (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/DisclosureOtherBalanceSheetItemsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Other Balance Sheet Items (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/DisclosureOtherBalanceSheetItems</ParentRole>
      <Position>32</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dmd-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R33.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>30803 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingenices (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingenicesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingenices (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingencies</ParentRole>
      <Position>33</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dmd-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R34.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>30903 - Disclosure - Income Taxes (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxes</ParentRole>
      <Position>34</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dmd-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R35.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>31103 - Disclosure - Stock-based Compensation Plans and Awards (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/DisclosureStockBasedCompensationPlansAndAwardsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock-based Compensation Plans and Awards (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/DisclosureStockBasedCompensationPlansAndAwards</ParentRole>
      <Position>35</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dmd-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R36.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>31303 - Disclosure - Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/DisclosureFairValueOfFinancialInstrumentsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <Position>36</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dmd-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R37.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>31403 - Disclosure - Discontinued Operations (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/DisclosureDiscontinuedOperationsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Discontinued Operations (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/DisclosureDiscontinuedOperations</ParentRole>
      <Position>37</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dmd-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R38.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>31503 - Disclosure - Acquisitions and Dispositions (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/DisclosureAcquisitionsAndDispositionsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Acquisitions and Dispositions (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/DisclosureAcquisitionsAndDispositions</ParentRole>
      <Position>38</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dmd-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R39.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>31603 - Disclosure - Business Segments (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/DisclosureBusinessSegmentsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Business Segments (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/DisclosureBusinessSegments</ParentRole>
      <Position>39</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dmd-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R40.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>31703 - Disclosure - Concentrations (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/DisclosureConcentrationsTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Concentrations (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/DisclosureConcentrations</ParentRole>
      <Position>40</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dmd-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R41.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>31803 - Disclosure - Net Income (Loss) Per Share (Tables)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/DisclosureNetIncomeLossPerShareTables</Role>
      <ShortName>Net Income (Loss) Per Share (Tables)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Tables</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/DisclosureNetIncomeLossPerShare</ParentRole>
      <Position>41</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dmd-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R42.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40101 - Disclosure - Company Background and Overview - Additional Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/DisclosureCompanyBackgroundAndOverviewAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Company Background and Overview - Additional Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>42</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dmd-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R43.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40201 - Disclosure - Basis of Presentations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/DisclosureBasisOfPresentationsAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Basis of Presentations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>43</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dmd-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R44.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40202 - Disclosure - Basis of Presentations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Activity (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/DisclosureBasisOfPresentationsAndSummaryOfSignificantAccountingPoliciesAllowanceForDoubtfulAccountsActivityDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Basis of Presentations and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Allowance for Doubtful Accounts Activity (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>44</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dmd-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R45.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40301 - Disclosure - Property and Equipment - Schedule of Property and Equipment (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/DisclosurePropertyAndEquipmentScheduleOfPropertyAndEquipmentDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Property and Equipment - Schedule of Property and Equipment (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>45</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dmd-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R46.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40302 - Disclosure - Property and Equipment - Additional Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/DisclosurePropertyAndEquipmentAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Property and Equipment - Additional Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>46</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dmd-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R47.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40303 - Disclosure - Property and Equipment - Schedule of Depreciation Expense (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/DisclosurePropertyAndEquipmentScheduleOfDepreciationExpenseDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Property and Equipment - Schedule of Depreciation Expense (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>47</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dmd-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R48.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40401 - Disclosure - Intangible Assets - Components (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/DisclosureIntangibleAssetsComponentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Intangible Assets - Components (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>48</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dmd-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R49.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40402 - Disclosure - Intangible Assets - Amortization Expense by Classification (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/DisclosureIntangibleAssetsAmortizationExpenseByClassificationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Intangible Assets - Amortization Expense by Classification (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>49</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dmd-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R50.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40403 - Disclosure - Intangible Assets - Additional Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/DisclosureIntangibleAssetsAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Intangible Assets - Additional Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>50</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dmd-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R51.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40404 - Disclosure - Intangible Assets - Estimated Amortization Expenses (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/DisclosureIntangibleAssetsEstimatedAmortizationExpensesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Intangible Assets - Estimated Amortization Expenses (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>51</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dmd-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R52.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40501 - Disclosure - Goodwill - Changes in Goodwill Balance (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/DisclosureGoodwillChangesInGoodwillBalanceDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill - Changes in Goodwill Balance (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>52</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dmd-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R53.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40502 - Disclosure - Goodwill - Additional Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/DisclosureGoodwillAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Goodwill - Additional Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>53</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dmd-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R54.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40601 - Disclosure - Other Balance Sheet Items - Other Long Term Assets (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/DisclosureOtherBalanceSheetItemsOtherLongTermAssetsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Other Balance Sheet Items - Other Long Term Assets (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>54</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dmd-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R55.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40602 - Disclosure - Other Balance Sheet Items - Additional Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/DisclosureOtherBalanceSheetItemsAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Other Balance Sheet Items - Additional Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>55</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dmd-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R56.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40603 - Disclosure - Other Balance Sheet Items - Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/DisclosureOtherBalanceSheetItemsAccruedExpensesAndOtherLiabilitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Other Balance Sheet Items - Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>56</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dmd-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R57.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40604 - Disclosure - Other Balance Sheet Items - Acquisition Holdback (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/DisclosureOtherBalanceSheetItemsAcquisitionHoldbackDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Other Balance Sheet Items - Acquisition Holdback (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>57</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dmd-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R58.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40605 - Disclosure - Other Balance Sheet Items - Severance Costs (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/DisclosureOtherBalanceSheetItemsSeveranceCostsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Other Balance Sheet Items - Severance Costs (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>58</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dmd-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R59.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40606 - Disclosure - Other Balance Sheet Items - Severance Costs Rollforward (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/DisclosureOtherBalanceSheetItemsSeveranceCostsRollforwardDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Other Balance Sheet Items - Severance Costs Rollforward (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>59</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dmd-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R60.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40701 - Disclosure - Debt - Additional Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/DisclosureDebtAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Debt - Additional Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>60</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dmd-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R61.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40802 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies - Schedule of Future Minimum Lease Payments (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingenciesScheduleOfFutureMinimumLeasePaymentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies - Schedule of Future Minimum Lease Payments (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>61</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dmd-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R62.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40803 - Disclosure - Commitments and Contingencies - Rent (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingenciesRentDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Commitments and Contingencies - Rent (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/DisclosureCommitmentsAndContingencies</ParentRole>
      <Position>62</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dmd-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R63.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40901 - Disclosure - Income Taxes - Income/(Loss) Before Income Taxes (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesIncomeLossBeforeIncomeTaxesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes - Income/(Loss) Before Income Taxes (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>63</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dmd-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R64.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40902 - Disclosure - Income Taxes - Income Tax Benefit (Expense) (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesIncomeTaxBenefitExpenseDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes - Income Tax Benefit (Expense) (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>64</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dmd-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R65.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40903 - Disclosure - Income Taxes - Reconciliation of Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate to Effective Income Tax Rate from Continuing Operations (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesReconciliationOfFederalStatutoryIncomeTaxRateToEffectiveIncomeTaxRateFromContinuingOperationsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes - Reconciliation of Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate to Effective Income Tax Rate from Continuing Operations (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>65</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dmd-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R66.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40904 - Disclosure - Income Taxes - Tax Effects of Temporary Differences That Give Rise to Significant Portions of Deferred Tax Assets and Deferred Tax Liabilities (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesTaxEffectsOfTemporaryDifferencesThatGiveRiseToSignificantPortionsOfDeferredTaxAssetsAndDeferredTaxLiabilitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes - Tax Effects of Temporary Differences That Give Rise to Significant Portions of Deferred Tax Assets and Deferred Tax Liabilities (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>66</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dmd-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R67.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>40905 - Disclosure - Income Taxes - Additional Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/DisclosureIncomeTaxesAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Income Taxes - Additional Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>67</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dmd-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R68.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41001 - Disclosure - Employee Benefit Plan - Additional Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/DisclosureEmployeeBenefitPlanAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Employee Benefit Plan - Additional Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>68</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dmd-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R69.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41101 - Disclosure - Stock-based Compensation Plans and Awards - Stock Incentive Plans - Additional Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/DisclosureStockBasedCompensationPlansAndAwardsStockIncentivePlansAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock-based Compensation Plans and Awards - Stock Incentive Plans - Additional Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>69</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dmd-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R70.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41102 - Disclosure - Stock-based Compensation Plans and Awards - Fair Value Weighted Average Assumptions Stock Options (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/DisclosureStockBasedCompensationPlansAndAwardsFairValueWeightedAverageAssumptionsStockOptionsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock-based Compensation Plans and Awards - Fair Value Weighted Average Assumptions Stock Options (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>70</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dmd-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R71.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41103 - Disclosure - Stock-based Compensation Plans and Awards - Valuation of Awards - Additional Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/DisclosureStockBasedCompensationPlansAndAwardsValuationOfAwardsAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock-based Compensation Plans and Awards - Valuation of Awards - Additional Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>71</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dmd-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R72.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41104 - Disclosure - Stock-based Compensation Plans and Awards - Stock Options Activity (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/DisclosureStockBasedCompensationPlansAndAwardsStockOptionsActivityDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock-based Compensation Plans and Awards - Stock Options Activity (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>72</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dmd-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R73.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41105 - Disclosure - Stock-based Compensation Plans and Awards - Stock Based Compensation Activity (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/DisclosureStockBasedCompensationPlansAndAwardsStockBasedCompensationActivityDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock-based Compensation Plans and Awards - Stock Based Compensation Activity (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>73</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dmd-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R74.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41106 - Disclosure - Stock-based Compensation Plans and Awards - Stock Options - Additional Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/DisclosureStockBasedCompensationPlansAndAwardsStockOptionsAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock-based Compensation Plans and Awards - Stock Options - Additional Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>74</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dmd-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R75.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41107 - Disclosure - Stock-based Compensation Plans and Awards - Restricted Stock Unit Activity (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/DisclosureStockBasedCompensationPlansAndAwardsRestrictedStockUnitActivityDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock-based Compensation Plans and Awards - Restricted Stock Unit Activity (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>75</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dmd-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R76.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41108 - Disclosure - Stock-based Compensation Plans and Awards - Restricted Stock Units - Additional Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/DisclosureStockBasedCompensationPlansAndAwardsRestrictedStockUnitsAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock-based Compensation Plans and Awards - Restricted Stock Units - Additional Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>76</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dmd-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R77.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41109 - Disclosure - Stock-based Compensation Plans and Awards - Employee Stock Purchase Plan - Additional Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/DisclosureStockBasedCompensationPlansAndAwardsEmployeeStockPurchasePlanAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock-based Compensation Plans and Awards - Employee Stock Purchase Plan - Additional Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>77</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dmd-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R78.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41110 - Disclosure - Stock-based Compensation Plans and Awards - Stock-based Compensation Expense (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/DisclosureStockBasedCompensationPlansAndAwardsStockBasedCompensationExpenseDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock-based Compensation Plans and Awards - Stock-based Compensation Expense (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>78</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dmd-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R79.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41111 - Disclosure - Stock-based Compensation Plans and Awards - Stock-based Compensation Expense - Additional Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/DisclosureStockBasedCompensationPlansAndAwardsStockBasedCompensationExpenseAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stock-based Compensation Plans and Awards - Stock-based Compensation Expense - Additional Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>79</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dmd-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R80.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41201 - Disclosure - Stockholders' Equity - Additional Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/DisclosureStockholdersEquityAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Stockholders' Equity - Additional Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>80</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dmd-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R81.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41301 - Disclosure - Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Fair Value, Financial Assets, Recurring (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/DisclosureFairValueOfFinancialInstrumentsFairValueFinancialAssetsRecurringDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Fair Value, Financial Assets, Recurring (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>81</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dmd-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R82.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41302 - Disclosure - Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Additional Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/DisclosureFairValueOfFinancialInstrumentsAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Additional Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>82</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dmd-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R83.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41401 - Disclosure - Discontinued Operation - Income Statements Activities (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/DisclosureDiscontinuedOperationIncomeStatementsActivitiesDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Discontinued Operation - Income Statements Activities (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>83</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dmd-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R84.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41402 - Disclosure - Discontinued Operations - Additional Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/DisclosureDiscontinuedOperationsAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Discontinued Operations - Additional Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>84</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dmd-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R85.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41501 - Disclosure - Acquisitions and Dispositions - Additional Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/DisclosureAcquisitionsAndDispositionsAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Acquisitions and Dispositions - Additional Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>85</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dmd-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R86.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41502 - Disclosure - Acquisitions and Dispositions - Schedule of Purchase Price Allocation (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/DisclosureAcquisitionsAndDispositionsScheduleOfPurchasePriceAllocationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Acquisitions and Dispositions - Schedule of Purchase Price Allocation (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>86</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dmd-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R87.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41503 - Disclosure - Acquisitions and Dispositions - Supplemental Pro Forma Financial Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/DisclosureAcquisitionsAndDispositionsSupplementalProFormaFinancialInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Acquisitions and Dispositions - Supplemental Pro Forma Financial Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>87</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dmd-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R88.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41504 - Disclosure - Acquisitions and Dispositions - Dispositions (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/DisclosureAcquisitionsAndDispositionsDispositionsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Acquisitions and Dispositions - Dispositions (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>88</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dmd-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R89.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41601 - Disclosure - Business Segments - Additional Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/DisclosureBusinessSegmentsAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Business Segments - Additional Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>89</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dmd-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R90.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41602 - Disclosure - Business Segments (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/DisclosureBusinessSegmentsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Business Segments (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <ParentRole>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/DisclosureBusinessSegmentsTables</ParentRole>
      <Position>90</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dmd-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R91.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41603 - Disclosure - Business Segments - Summary of Revenue by Geographic Region (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/DisclosureBusinessSegmentsSummaryOfRevenueByGeographicRegionDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Business Segments - Summary of Revenue by Geographic Region (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>91</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dmd-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R92.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41701 - Disclosure - Concentrations Concentrations - Additional Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/DisclosureConcentrationsConcentrationsAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Concentrations Concentrations - Additional Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>92</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dmd-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R93.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41702 - Disclosure - Concentrations Concentrations (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/DisclosureConcentrationsConcentrationsDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Concentrations Concentrations (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>93</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dmd-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R94.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41801 - Disclosure - Net Loss Per Share - Computation Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/DisclosureNetLossPerShareComputationEarningsPerShareBasicAndDilutedDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Net Loss Per Share - Computation Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>94</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report instance="dmd-20151231.xml">
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <HtmlFileName>R95.htm</HtmlFileName>
      <LongName>41802 - Disclosure - Net Loss Per Share - Additional Information (Details)</LongName>
      <ReportType>Sheet</ReportType>
      <Role>http://www.demandmedia.com/role/DisclosureNetLossPerShareAdditionalInformationDetails</Role>
      <ShortName>Net Loss Per Share - Additional Information (Details)</ShortName>
      <MenuCategory>Details</MenuCategory>
      <Position>95</Position>
    </Report>
    <Report>
      <IsDefault>false</IsDefault>
      <HasEmbeddedReports>false</HasEmbeddedReports>
      <LongName>All Reports</LongName>
      <ReportType>Book</ReportType>
      <ShortName>All Reports</ShortName>
    </Report>
  </MyReports>
  <InputFiles>
    <File>dmd-20151231.xml</File>
    <File>dmd-20151231.xsd</File>
    <File>dmd-20151231_cal.xml</File>
    <File>dmd-20151231_def.xml</File>
    <File>dmd-20151231_lab.xml</File>
    <File>dmd-20151231_pre.xml</File>
  </InputFiles>
  <SupplementalFiles/>
  <BaseTaxonomies/>
  <HasPresentationLinkbase>true</HasPresentationLinkbase>
  <HasCalculationLinkbase>true</HasCalculationLinkbase>
</FilingSummary>
