Why are several US Zip codes not available in LocationCriterionService?

[shankar...@internetbrands.com]

I am trying to find the LocationId of several ZIP codes using the Location Criterion Service, but the service returns empty/null values.

For example the ZIP codes 75138, 75132, 34281, etc all return null values.

This is the criteria I used - 

LocationName = ZIP codes

CountryCode=US

Locale=en.

I know that the webservice is working, because I can get Location id for several other ZIP codes.

[Peter Oliquino]

Hi Shankar,

The only supported location criteria by the AdWords API can be found in the geo targeting spreadsheet. As for Zip Codes (Target Type = Postal Code) you specified, the only one currently supported is the Name = 34281, so if you use this as the value of the locationName field in the LookUpLocation example, it should return its location information.

Thanks and regards,

Peter

AdWords API Team

[mwelle...@verlo.com]

Hi Peter,

I had a similar question as Shankar. I think what we're looking for isn't If a Criteria ID exists - that's a pretty obvious yes/no. The real question is what does it mean? Why is there a Criteria ID for most zip codes, but some zip codes are left out? What led to that gap, and what method should be used to cover those zip codes a missing Criteria ID?

Thanks for your help,

Max

[Peter Oliquino]

Hi Max,

The reason for other zip codes not being included in the list of supported location criteria is more of product level concern. This being said, I would recommend that you contact the product experts at the AdWords Community Forum for further assistance.

One workaround that you can do is to target a different type of criteria that would cover a larger area (ex. TargetType = Municipality / City) that may include the area of the missing zip codes. This method, however, would not be as accurate as compared to targeting specific zip codes.

Best regards,

Peter

AdWords API Team