Update Ads with Dynamic Values

[Drew Scott]

I’m doing a feasibility assessment for a project related to surfacing dynamic values using the AdWords API. These values would change very often, sometimes every 5-10 minutes, and I want to ensure that the solution we pursue will be scalable & not run into any impediments.

Use case: Say we are running an Ad surfacing wait times in the Ad itself, Example: Get an Appointment - Wait time 5 minutes.

 

I have outlined some questions below regarding Ad Customizer Feeds as well as some questions regarding Ad Parameter values & usage (param1 & param2).

 

Ad Customizers

• If a feed uses exclusively number attribute types, what would the median approval time be for a feed update?
• Can a feed be modified using the Google AdWords API or any other API (such as the Google Ads API beta)?
• What is the most often a feed can be updated via an automated method?
• If the values within a feed are static (only ever integers from 0 to 60), can a feed become “whitelisted” and skip the approval queue?

 

Ad Parameters

• Are Ad Parameters only available at the Keyword level? Can these be set at a campaign or ad group level?
• If these are only able to be applied on a Keyword level I feel like we would be making 1000's of API calls every few minutes, this doesn't seem intended?
  
• Is there any example PHP API code calling/echoing the param1 & param2 values for a keyword (or campaign/ad group if that’s possible)?
• Can you test Ad Parameters using a developer account and see the result in the web UI, or would you have to test these on a live Ad.
  

 

Maybe there is an intended method to update dynamic values at this high frequency that I don't know about?  The research that we have done leads us to believe these are the only two methods?

Thank you so much & please let me know if there’s any additional context that I could provide to you that would be helpful in responding to these questions.

[Google Ads API Forum Advisor Prod]

Hi Drew,

Thanks for reaching out.  

Regarding Ad Customizers,

• If a feed uses exclusively number attribute types, what would the median approval time be for a feed update?

• • Feed items are approved separately; an Ad does not have to be reapproved.  Approvals typically complete within 1-2 business days.

• Can a feed be modified using the Google AdWords API or any other API (such as the Google Ads API beta)?

• • Yes, both APIs provide services for Ad Customizer feeds.  See these reference entries: AdWords, Google Ads API.

• What is the most often a feed can be updated via an automated method?

• • There are no specific limitations to feed services via Ads APIs.

• If the values within a feed are static (only ever integers from 0 to 60), can a feed become “whitelisted” and skip the approval queue?

• • ​​​​​​​No, all Ads and related data must be approved before they can be served.

Regarding Ad Parameters:

• Are Ad Parameters only available at the Keyword level? Can these be set at a campaign or ad group level?

• • Ad Parameters are only available at the Keyword level.  Per the AdParam definition, to set an AdParam you must specify the AdGroup and Keyword IDs.

• If these are only able to be applied on a Keyword level I feel like we would be making 1000's of API calls every few minutes, this doesn't seem intended?

• • Large numbers of operations are not unusual for the Ads platform.  Consider utilizing the Batch Job Service to perform many operations more efficiently.
  • Note that your developer token Access Level may have some limitations as to the number of operations that you can perform.
  • Since it appears that your headlines may involve time, you might want to consider using the Countdown customizer.

• Is there any example PHP API code calling/echoing the param1 & param2 values for a keyword (or campaign/ad group if that’s possible)?

• • The closest example is​​ SetAdParameters; the AdParamService's get method will return information regarding existing AdParam values.

• Can you test Ad Parameters using a developer account and see the result in the web UI, or would you have to test these on a live Ad.

• • ​​​​​​​Assigned parameters will only be visible on live Ads.

Please let us know of any other questions that you may have.

Thanks,

Andrew, Google Ads API Team

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