API v20: Missing channel selection parameters for Demand Gen ad groups (YouTube, Discover, Gmail, Display Network)
Ravi Trivedi
We are implementing Demand Gen campaigns via the Google Ads API (v20), and we need clarification on controlling channel selection at the ad group level.
In the Google Ads UI, when creating an ad group for a Demand Gen campaign, there is a "Channels" section with two options:
"All Google channels" (default)
"Let me choose" - which allows selecting individual channels:
- YouTube (in-stream, in-feed, Shorts)
- Discover
- Gmail
- Google Display Network
What We've Tried
We have reviewed the following resources:
AdGroup object documentation: https://developers.google.com/google-ads/api/reference/rpc/v20/AdGroup
Campaign NetworkSettings: https://developers.google.com/google-ads/api/reference/rpc/v20/Campaign.NetworkSettings
Demand Gen campaign guide: https://developers.google.com/google-ads/api/docs/campaigns/demand-gen
We found that:
Campaign-level NetworkSettings allows excluding Google Display Network via target_content_network
Ad group-level channel selection parameters are not documented or available in the API
Questions
1. Does the Google Ads API v20 support channel selection at the ad group level for Demand Gen campaigns?
- If yes, which parameter/field should we use?
- If no, is this a known limitation?
2. Is channel selection for Demand Gen campaigns managed exclusively at the campaign level in v20?
- Can we only control Display Network inclusion/exclusion?
- Are YouTube, Discover, and Gmail always included together?
4. What is the recommended approach if we need channel-specific targeting?
- Should we create separate campaigns for different channel strategies?
- Should we use different campaign types (e.g., Video campaigns for YouTube-only)?
API Version: v20
Client Library: google-ads-python (latest)
Campaign Type: DEMAND_GEN
Programming Language: Python 3.x
- Confirmation on whether ad group-level channel control is supported in v20
- Documentation or code examples if the feature exists
- Workaround recommendations if it's not currently supported
- Roadmap information if this feature is planned for future API versions
Attached is the screenshot of the UI section:
Ajmal Aksar
Ajmal Aksar--
--
=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~
Also find us on our blog:
https://googleadsdeveloper.blogspot.com/
=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~=~
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google
Groups "AdWords API and Google Ads API Forum" group.
To post to this group, send email to adwor...@googlegroups.com
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
adwords-api...@googlegroups.com
For more options, visit this group at
http://groups.google.com/group/adwords-api?hl=en
---
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "(Deprecated) Google Ads API and AdWords API Forum" group.
To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to adwords-api...@googlegroups.com.
To view this discussion visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/adwords-api/4ef99ed4-c7f9-4297-9c37-0d99f7e7208fn%40googlegroups.com.
Google Ads API Forum Advisor
Hi,
Thank you for reaching out to the Google Ads API support team.
Please refer to the below response to your queries respectively.
1. Does the Google Ads API v20 support channel selection at the ad group level for Demand Gen campaigns?
Yes, this functionality was introduced in version 19.1, which added support for AdGroup-level Channel Controls for Demand Gen campaigns. You can select either a predefined general grouping of channels or a specific subset of channels using the demand_gen_ad_group_settings field. Refer to the supported channels documentation for a complete list of supported options since the release.
- If yes, which parameter/field should we use?
You can customize channel controls at the ad group level using the demand_gen_ad_group_settings.channel_controls.channel_configuration field.
No, Demand Gen Channel controls are configured at the ad group level, which allows for granular customization of where your ads are served within each individual ad group. I would recommend referring to the How to use channel controls in Demand Gen help center article for more detailed information.
- Can we only control Display Network inclusion/exclusion?
The Control each channel individually documentation specifically provides for individual channel control, including the Display Network:
This strategy offers the most granular level of control by enabling you to select which individual channel is enabled. Enable this strategy by populating the individual flags in the selected_channels property; setting an option to true signifies that a channel is enabled. For example, use "display": false to exclude the Display Network.
- Are YouTube, Discover, and Gmail always included together?
It is at your discretion to select the channels as per the Configure channel controls documentation. There are three possible configurations: All channels (default), All channels owned and operated by Google, and Control each channel individually.
We specifically recommend referring to the Control each channel individually documentation. This strategy provides the most granular level of control, enabling you to precisely select which individual channel is enabled. You activate this strategy by populating the individual flags within the selected_channels property, where setting an option to true signifies that a channel is enabled. For an example, please refer to this example code which illustrates how to configure an ad group to serve exclusively on YouTube Shorts.
- Should we create separate campaigns for different channel strategies?
To ensure your Demand Gen campaigns allocate a specific amount of serving across certain channels, you can isolate that channel into a separate ad group with an increased CPA target compared to the others. This strategy should help you achieve your desired outcome; however, it might result in lower overall efficiency than running across all available channels.
- Should we use different campaign types (e.g., Video campaigns for YouTube-only)?
By utilizing all Google channels, Google Ads gains the flexibility to identify the best opportunities and maximize your conversions within your specified budget. While YouTube in-feed may have a lower cost per conversion than YouTube Shorts, choosing All Google channels maximizes your overall conversions at the lowest possible cost.
I would recommend you refer to this Channel controls in Demand Gen campaigns help center article for more information.
I hope this helps. If you have any more queries, please feel free to get back to us.
Thanks,
 |
Google Ads API Team |
Feedback
How was our support today?
[2025-12-01 06:42:08Z GMT] This message is in relation to case "ref:!00D1U01174p.!500Ht01vUYrm:ref" (ADR-00346216)
Google Ads API Forum Advisor
Hi,
Thank you for reaching out to the Google Ads API support team.
Please refer to the below response to your queries respectively.
1. Does the Google Ads API v20 support channel selection at the ad group level for Demand Gen campaigns?
Yes, this functionality was introduced in version 19.1, which added support for AdGroup-level Channel Controls for Demand Gen campaigns. You can select either a predefined general grouping of channels or a specific subset of channels using the demand_gen_ad_group_settings field. Refer to the supported channels documentation for a complete list of supported options since the release.
- If yes, which parameter/field should we use?
You can customize channel controls at the ad group level using the demand_gen_ad_group_settings.channel_controls.channel_configuration field.
No, Demand Gen Channel controls are configured at the ad group level, which allows for granular customization of where your ads are served within each individual ad group. I would recommend referring to the How to use channel controls in Demand Gen help center article for more detailed information.
- Can we only control Display Network inclusion/exclusion?
The Control each channel individually documentation specifically provides for individual channel control, including the Display Network: This strategy offers the most granular level of control by enabling you to select which individual channel is enabled. Enable this strategy by populating the individual flags in the selected_channels property; setting an option to true signifies that a channel is enabled. For example, use "display": false to exclude the Display Network.
- Are YouTube, Discover, and Gmail always included together?
It is at your discretion to select the channels as per the Configure channel controls documentation. There are three possible configurations: All channels (default), All channels owned and operated by Google, and Control each channel individually.
3. Is there a planned API update to support granular channel control (e.g., YouTube-only, Discover-only) at the ad group level? and What is the recommended approach if we need channel-specific targeting?
We specifically recommend referring to the Control each channel individually documentation. This strategy provides the most granular level of control, enabling you to precisely select which individual channel is enabled. You activate this strategy by populating the individual flags within the selected_channels property, where setting an option to true signifies that a channel is enabled. For an example, please refer to this example code which illustrates how to configure an ad group to serve exclusively on YouTube Shorts.
- Should we create separate campaigns for different channel strategies?
To ensure your Demand Gen campaigns allocate a specific amount of serving across certain channels, you can isolate that channel into a separate ad group with an increased CPA target compared to the others. This strategy should help you achieve your desired outcome; however, it might result in lower overall efficiency than running across all available channels.
- Should we use different campaign types (e.g., Video campaigns for YouTube-only)?
By utilizing all Google channels, Google Ads gains the flexibility to identify the best opportunities and maximize your conversions within your specified budget. While YouTube in-feed may have a lower cost per conversion than YouTube Shorts, choosing All Google channels maximizes your overall conversions at the lowest possible cost.
I would recommend you refer to this Channel controls in Demand Gen campaigns help center article for more information.
I hope this helps. If you have any more queries, please feel free to get back to us.
Thanks,
|
Google Ads API Team |
Feedback
How was our support today?
[2025-12-01 08:23:36Z GMT] This message is in relation to case "ref:!00D1U01174p.!500Ht01vUa7W:ref" (ADR-00346256)
