Dynamic ad binding using Merchant Center XML-feed

[sander....@belsimpel.nl]

Hi GWD team & users,
I'm trying to build a dynamic ad in GWD which uses data from a Google Shopping feed. The feed is in XML format. How do I bind the XML feed content to elements in the GWD? Can I use the pre-defined data, like Product.0.description?

Also, can I bind custom labels from the Merchant Center XML feed to certain elements?

Kind regards,
Sander

[San Khong]

Hi sander,

You need to get your shopping feed set up on AdWords, then do the binding in Google Web Designer.  There are many dynamic remarketing templates available in Google Web Designer that you can use. 

Here's the link to the development guide.

Hope it helps.

San

Google Web Designer team

[sander....@belsimpel.nl]

Hi San,

Thanks for your answer.

We've already got a shopping feed in AdWords, but it's in XML-format, rather than JSON. Can we use the same pre-defined bindings from the templates in GWD?

The development guide you provided says something about saving a client feed in JSON format (page 7), but I can't seem to find the 'get data for custom layout' function in Adwords. What ad format should I select to bring up the 'get data for custom layout' function?

Can we use the custom labels which you can setup in an XML shopping feed?

Kind regards,
Sander

[San Khong]

Hi Sander,

The JSON is for testing preview in GWD only.  You don't need it to bind to the feed on AdWords. It looks like the "get data for custom layout" function in AdWords might be available to only some accounts.  I will check on this and we should update the build guide if this is the case. If you want to test your dynamic creative in GWD preview in browser, you can make a copy of the sample json (in the feeds folder after you preview a dynamic creative), and update the json file with your own values. But again, this is only for preview locally.

If you already have the feeds set up in AdWords, in GWD, you can open the dynamic dialog, pick the correct vertical (Retail for example), and bind the elements to the pre-defined data such as Product.0.description.  Check out the Dynamic Remarking templates in GWD for examples.  When you upload the dynamic ads to AdWords, you can preview the full ad to test it with your feeds.

I'm sorry I don't know about custom labels from Merchant Center XML.  What is a custom label?

[sander....@belsimpel.nl]

Hi San,

My mistake, I found the 'get data for custom layout' function. But I think the guide could give a little more information about the steps required to get to that function, as 'Go into Adwords and create a new ad' does not really cover all steps needed.

A custom label is a custom tag in an XML file, for instance:
<item>
<title>Product title</title>
<brand>Product brand</brand>
<g:custom_label_1>Custom user defined value</g:custom_label_1>
</item>

We use this to create custom product filters in our Google Adwords campaigns. I thought maybe we could use the custom label to create custom bindings for the dynamic ads. For example: we'd like to use a five star rating system for the products in our dynamic ads.

When I used the 'get data for custom layout' function, the JSON file didn't include the custom labels which are in the XML feed. Does this mean it isn't possible to use these custom labels?

Kind regards,
Sander

[San Khong]

Hi Sander,

The JSON file that you got from "get data for custom layout" shows all attributes that are available.  You cannot introduce any new attributes. One workaround for showing something like this would be to use another existing but unused attribute, so if your feed was GMC then you might map the star-rating value to "installment price count" if that's open for example.

If I find another solution, I will update this post.

Thanks,

[sander....@belsimpel.nl]

Hi San,

Thanks for your reply, that's a great workaroud, I think we'll have to stick to that for now.

Kind regards,
Sander

[San Khong]

Our specialist said we have few options where you can implement display specific attribute within GMC feed to overwrite GMC standard attribute value. Here is the help center link for display specific attribute. You might also want to check that out. 

Thanks,

San

[skobox.we...@gmail.com]

I can't find "get data for custom layout". Where did you find it ??

Kind regards Jesper

[San Khong]

Hi Jesper,

Can you please try this?

In AdWords:

- When you create a campaign, add the feed id to it. 

- To upload an ad, choose to Ads tab, select the +Ad button and pick Ad Gallery

- Select Dynamic Ads 

- Select the right vertical for your ad, or custom image ad.

- Upload your ad using Upload your own layout

- When you preview, the blank preview page includes a link to “get data for custom layout​ for you to download the json.

Hope it helps.

[skobox.we...@gmail.com]

It work perfectly, thanks