Disappearance of google.ima.Ad.getClickThroughUrl() in HTML5 IMA SDK

[Philip Bulley]

Hi,

It seems that google.ima.Ad.getClickThroughUrl() has mysteriously disappeared from the HTML5 IMA SDK (see console screenshot) and the API reference! There is no related note in your changelog (https://developers.google.com/interactive-media-ads/docs/sdks/html5/v3/history) and I can't find any announcement on the forum. 

This has broken our deployed application. We are using this value to understand whether a clickThrough has been set on the ad (but obviously not to execute the actual clickthrough). Merely trying to access this method is now causing an error to be thrown.

If this breaking change is intentional, can you please make it clear to me how we can stay ahead of such breaking changes so we have time to discuss and ensure our deployed apps wont suffer?

Perhaps I missed something, but I need to ensure this wont happen again.

Thanks,

Philip

[Tyler Sidell (IMA SDK Team)]

Hi Philip,

google.ima.Ad.getClickThroughUrl() is no longer exposed. This method was never an officially documented method and thus is not supported.

Thanks,
Tyler Sidell
IMA SDK Team

[Philip Bulley]

Thanks Tyler.

I’m guessing you’ve removed the method as you want to stay away from implementations that execute the click through, however there are other positive use cases that can improve user experience within a video player and in turn click through rate. Our client is very interested in pursuing this.

For example:

• Making it clear to the end user via call to action that a click through is available.
• Allowing the user to understand where the click through will take them by displaying the destination hostname.

Would you consider re-introducing this method?

Many thanks,

Philip

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[Tyler Sidell (IMA SDK Team)]

Hi Philip,

We understand your concerns.  There are no plans to reintroduce getClickThroughUrl(). However, we will consider adding an API that lets you know if a clickthrough URL is available.  As for the destination hostname scenario, most clickthrough URLs are redirects through the ad server so we would not be able to know the destination domain.

Thanks,
Tyler Sidell

IMA SDK Team

[Philip Bulley]

Hi Tyler,

The boolean clickthrough URL availability API sounds good to me. Would it be possible for me to track the progress of that discussion? Via your issue tracker perhaps?

Thanks,

Philip

[Tyler Sidell (IMA SDK Team)]

Hi Philip,

There is no external tracking system that we can provide.  We will update this thread with further information once we have any.

Thanks,

Tyler Sidell

IMA SDK Team