Document and Entity Information (USD $)
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2014
Jun. 30, 2014
Mar. 06, 2015
Document Information [Line Items]      
Document Type 10-K    
Amendment Flag false    
Document Period End Date Dec. 31, 2014    
Document Fiscal Year Focus 2014    
Document Fiscal Period Focus FY    
Trading Symbol MCHX    
Entity Registrant Name MARCHEX INC    
Entity Central Index Key 0001224133    
Current Fiscal Year End Date --12-31    
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer No    
Entity Current Reporting Status Yes    
Entity Voluntary Filers No    
Entity Filer Category Accelerated Filer    
Entity Public Float   $ 398,556,441  
Class A      
Document Information [Line Items]      
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding     5,232,636
Class B      
Document Information [Line Items]      
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding     36,796,915