Clarification on Per-Keyword Forecast Metrics Deprecation & Alternatives

[Shraddha Kulkarni]

Dear Google Ads API Support Team,

I am currently working on a proof-of-concept (POC) that leverages the Keyword Planning API to generate keyword ideas and forecast metrics. While implementing this, I came across the following challenge and would like clarification:

• In API v21+, the KeywordPlanIdeaService.generate_keyword_forecast_metrics method only returns campaign-level aggregated forecasts (impressions, clicks, CPC, spend).
• In earlier versions (≤v20), we were able to obtain per-keyword forecast metrics using KeywordPlanService.generate_forecast_metrics, but this functionality was deprecated around v14 and fully removed in v21 (June 2023).

Given this change, I have the following questions:

1. Is there any alternative or recommended approach to obtain per-keyword forecast metrics in the current API versions?
2. If not available, does Google have plans to reintroduce per-keyword forecasts in future releases?
3. From a best-practice perspective, how should developers now handle scenarios where keyword-level forecasts are critical (e.g., campaign planning, bid optimization)?

My goal is to understand whether there is a supported solution or workaround for per-keyword forecasts, or if we should adapt to using only campaign-level aggregated forecasts going forward.

I appreciate your guidance on this matter.

Thank you 

Shraddha

[Google Ads API Forum Advisor]

Hi,

Thank you for reaching out to the Google Ads API support team.

>>Is there any alternative or recommended approach to obtain per-keyword forecast metrics in the current API versions?

As per the blogpost, the KeywordPlanKeywordForecast and KeywordPlanAdGroupForecast are deprecated on June 01, 2023. I would suggest using the CampaignToForecast and creating a separate ForecastAdGroup for a single keyword. 

>> If not available, does Google have plans to reintroduce per-keyword forecasts in future releases?

As of now we don't have plans to reintroduce it. I would recommend you to follow our blog post and release notes for future updates. 

>> From a best-practice perspective, how should developers now handle scenarios where keyword-level forecasts are critical (e.g., campaign planning, bid optimization)?

According to the latest v21 the GenerateForecastMetrics is mainly focused on the metrics for proposed or existing campaigns. So campaign planning and bid optimizations are not available. 
 

Thanks,
 

Google Ads API Team

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[2025-09-10 05:09:19Z GMT] This message is in relation to case "ref:!00D1U01174p.!500Ht01u6HE8:ref" (ADR-00332323)