Confused about Ads documentation

[axtens]

I've adapted the code at <https://developers.google.com/google-ads/api/docs/keyword-planning/generate-keyword-ideas>. I don't understand why at one point why the example says,

```

        var response =
            keywordPlanIdeaService.GenerateKeywordIdeas(request);

```

and then about three lines later says,

```

            KeywordPlanHistoricalMetrics metrics = result.KeywordIdeaMetrics;

```

It seems on the one hand to be generating keyword ideas and then on the other giving history.

Now in the documentation at <https://developers.google.com/google-ads/api/reference/rpc/v10/KeywordPlanIdeaService> it says that there's `GenerateKeywordHistoricalMetrics` and `GenerateKeywordIdeas`, however when I try to use the former in the example, VS2022 indicates that the name is unknown.

So my questions are:

1. What does the C# code on the "idea generation" page demonstrate Ideas or Historical Metrics (are these the same, conceptually, as AdWords' IDEAS and STATS respectively?)?

2. If it is in fact demonstrating Ideas, how would one adapt it for Historical Metrics?

--- Bruce

[Google Ads API Forum Advisor]

Hi Bruce,

Thank you for posting your concern. Allow me to provide support to your concern.

Please see my answer below for each question:

"1. What does the C# code on the "idea generation" page demonstrate Ideas or Historical Metrics (are these the same, conceptually, as AdWords' IDEAS and STATS respectively?)?"

-The provided document and the sample code under it is more focused on generating keyword ideas but historical statistics such as search volume data are also included to help you determine if you want to use the keywords for your campaign. Also, I can confirm that the provided document are the same concept with AdWords API IDEAS and STATS.

"2. If it is in fact demonstrating Ideas, how would one adapt it for Historical Metrics?"

-I would suggest referring to this document as it discusses further how to manage generating historical metrics.

Regards,

Ernie John Google Ads API Team

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