Tag Archives: upgraded_urls

Reminder: Upgrade your AdWords destination URLs by March 25th, 2016

We would like to remind you to upgrade destination URLs for ads, criteria, and sitelinks by March 25, 2016.

Shortly after March 25, 2016, we will apply the following changes to the ads, criteria, and extensions in your account that have not been upgraded:
  • Ads and sitelinks will be permanently designated as “Removed” and will stop serving. In rare cases, destination URLs for ads may be upgraded for you, which may impact how your ads run.
  • Destination URLs for your keywords will be removed. Clicks on your ads for these keywords will go to the ad's landing page. You'll need to set up new landing page URLs and tracking parameters.

    Note: Dynamic Display Ads, Gmail Sponsored Promotion, and Lightbox ads are not impacted by this change and will continue to serve.
How to upgrade your remaining destination URLs
To ensure your existing ads continue to run and your URL tracking works as expected, you'll need to: What if I can’t upgrade in time?
If you do not plan to upgrade destination URLs by March 25, 2016 or wish to keep the destination URL details for future use, then we advise you to download the ads, criteria and extensions that are not upgraded using an appropriate AdWords API service. Destination URL data is accessible for now via AdWords API reports and services, but this field will be removed in a future version of the AdWords API.

If you have any questions or need help with migration, please post on our developer forum or the Ads Developers Plus Page.

Anash P. Oommen, AdWords API Team

New features in AdWords Scripts

We have made the following changes to AdWords scripts.

Full screen mode for Scripts IDE

You can now toggle fullscreen mode for the Scripts IDE by clicking the Expand icon on the top right corner of the editor toolbar.


Clear methods for Upgraded URLs

We have added new methods to clear various fields in Upgraded URLs: Clear methods for sitelink descriptions

You can now use the clearDescription1() and clearDescription2() methods to clear the corresponding description fields in the Sitelink, AdGroupSitelink and CampaignSitelink classes.

Sunset support for updating destination URL

As previously announced, support for updating destination URL has been sunset completely. If any of your scripts use this field, make sure you upgrade your scripts to use the upgraded URL fields. We have also added clearDestinationUrl() to the Keyword class and clearLinkUrl() to various ad extension classes. These methods may be used to clear the destination URL field when you upgrade your URLs.

See our sunset tracker page for more details.

If you have any questions about this feature or AdWords scripts in general, you can post them on our developer forum.

Anash P. Oommen, AdWords Scripts Team

Improved Upgraded URLs validation in AdWords API

Waiting to see whether or not your ads have been approved can be time-consuming. That's why we're improving the validation logic during ad creation to “fail fast” for one common invalid URL case.

Currently, with new Upgraded URLs, an ad with a final URL domain that doesn't match the display URL domain will be disapproved. Starting on August 12th, 2015, rather than allowing these ads to be submitted for approval, the AdWords API will return an error for any request attempting to create an ad where the final URL domain doesn't match the display URL domain. This will allow you to fix these issues faster and get your ads up and running sooner.

As usual, if you have any questions, comments, or concerns, please contact us via the forum or the Ads Developers Plus Page.


- Michael Cloonan, AdWords API Team

Temporary limits on ad uploads in AdWords API

To ensure reliable performance for all advertisers during advanced URL upgrades, the AdWords API has placed a temporary limit on the number of AdGroupAd ADD operations that can be performed on an advertiser account per day. Other types of requests are not affected by this change. Please review the RateLimit documentation and make sure your code handles the RateExceededError properly.

During most normal operations, you won’t run into these limits. However, if you are uploading a very large amount of new ads in a short period of time and find yourself running into this error frequently, let us know on our forum and we will work with you to address the issues.

Anash P. Oommen, AdWords API Team

Easier Upgraded URL migration with Feed and FeedMapping modifications

With destination URLs becoming read-only on July 1, 2015, we’re making your migration to Upgraded URLs simpler. If you come across some extra attributes in Feed and FeedMapping, there’s a good reason for that.

We’re helping you skip the approvals process for existing site links during migration by modifying your Feeds and FeedMappings behind the scenes. The changes are already available, and you should see extra attributes in each of your Feeds and FeedMappings.

Expect to see attributes in Feeds with these FeedAttribute names:
  • SitelinkFinalUrls
  • SitelinkFinalMobileUrls
  • SitelinkTrackingUrl
The FeedMapping attributeFieldMappings now have extra AttributeFieldMappings related to these Sitelinks Placeholders:
  • FINAL URLS
  • FINAL MOBILE URLS
  • TRACKING URL
Your sitelink feeds are now compatible with the new Upgraded URLs.

Questions? Visit us on the AdWords API Forum or our Google+ page.

Nadine Sundquist, AdWords API Team

New features in AdWords scripts

We have made the following changes to AdWords scripts.

Support for passing arguments into parallel functions

You can now use a string argument to pass account-specific information into a parallel function when using the MccApp.executeInParallel() method. The code snippet below shows how to use this feature: 

function main() {
  // Select the accounts you want to process.
  var accountSelector = MccApp.accounts().withIds([1234567890, 3456787890]);

  // Construct a config object that contains account-specific information.
  var accountFlags = {
    '1234567890': {
       'label': 'Brand 1 campaigns',
     },
    '3456787890': {
       'label': 'Brand 2 campaigns',
     }
  };

  // Convert the config object into a string.
  var optionalInput = JSON.stringify(accountFlags);

  // Process accounts in parallel.
  accountSelector.executeInParallel("processClientAccount",
    "afterProcessAllClientAccounts", optionalInput);
}

function processClientAccount(args) {
  // Convert the account flags from string to config object.
  var accountFlags = JSON.parse(args);
  var accountConfig =
      accountFlags[AdwordsApp.currentAccount().getCustomerId()];

  // Process your client account here.
  var label = accountConfig['label'];
  ...
}

function afterProcessAllClientAccounts(results) {
  ...
}
Learn more about working on accounts in parallel.

Support for clearing ad group bid modifiers

You can now use the clearMobileBidModifier() method of AdGroup to clear bid modifiers at the ad group level and default to the campaign-level bid modifier.

Support for Upgraded URLs in app extensions

We have added support for Upgraded URLs in app extensions. The setLinkUrl() method in MobileApp, AccountMobileApp, CampaignMobileApp and AdGroupMobileApp classes and withLinkUrl() method of MobileAppBuilder class have been marked deprecated and will start throwing user errors on July 1, 2015. If you use any of these methods in your script, make sure you update them to use the setFinalUrl() / withFinalUrl() methods instead.

Deprecated CallOnly field in phone extensions

We have deprecated the call-only field in phone extensions. The following methods have been marked as deprecated and will start throwing user errors on June 14, 2015: If your ad extensions use the call-only feature, migrate your campaigns to call-only campaigns by following the instructions here.

Transition to viewable cost-per-thousand impression (CPM)

We’d like to remind you that later this year, all cost-per-thousand impression (CPM) bids will transition to a new type of bid called viewable CPM (vCPM), and CPM bidding will no longer be available. You can learn more about vCPM on our help center.

AdWords scripts already use the correct CPM version, based on campaign settings, so no code changes are required from your end for this transition. Our updated documentation now refers to CPM as the generic cost-per-thousand impression bidding instead of a specific flavor (e.g., maxCPM or vCPM).

If you have any questions about these changes or AdWords scripts in general, you can post them on our developer forum.

Anash P. Oommen, AdWords Scripts Team

Reminder: AdWords Destination URLs will become read-only on July 1, 2015

We would like to remind you that as previously announced, destination URL fields in AdWords will become read-only on July 1, 2015. Starting on that date, we will also begin upgrading your URLs (if eligible) to the new Upgraded URLs structure.

Once this change goes live, you will get the following errors from the AdWords API: In AdWords scripts, all methods that set the destination URL of various entities have been marked deprecated, and will generate a user error after July 1, 2015.

Before then, be sure to update your AdWords API and scripts code. Use the Upgraded URL fields instead of the destination URL field when creating entities such as ads, keywords, or sitelinks. You can refer to our migration guide to learn how to upgrade your URLs, or our feature guide to learn more about Upgraded URLs. All our client libraries fully support upgraded URLs, and provide code examples that show you how to use this feature and upgrade your URLs.

If you have any further questions about this change, let us know via our API or scripts forum, or Google+ page.

Anash P. Oommen, AdWords API Team

Support for Upgraded URLs in AdWords Scripts

AdWords scripts now support Upgraded URLs. Upgraded URLs provide a smarter way for you to manage URLs in AdWords by specifying which part of your URL specifies the landing page, and which part is used for tracking. You can learn more about this feature here.

Here is an example of how to create a new text ad that specifies the final URL instead of destination URL: 

var adOperation = adGroup.newTextAdBuilder()
    .withHeadline("headline of ad")
    .withDescription1("first line of ad description")
    .withDescription2("second line of ad description")
    .withDisplayUrl("www.example.com")
    .withFinalUrl("http://www.example.com")
    .build();
var ad = adOperation.getResult();
You can retrieve the Upgraded URL fields of an entity using the urls() method for that entity. If you run reports, the Upgraded URL fields are also available through various performance reports.

Migrating to Upgraded URLs

We encourage all advertisers to upgrade to the new system by July 1, 2015. This involves two parts:
  1. Update your scripts to handle Upgraded URL fields.
  2. Migrate the existing entities in your accounts to Upgraded URLs.
Upgrade scripts

For any new entities that you create using AdWords scripts, we recommend that you set the final URLs instead of destination URLs.

When dealing with existing entities, keep in mind that you may encounter both upgraded and non-upgraded entities in your accounts. If your script reads destination URLs, then make sure it checks both the destination URL and final URL fields of any entity it retrieves. If your script updates destination URLs, use either setFinalUrl() or setDestinationUrl(), depending on whether the entity has been upgraded or not. AdWords scripts will raise an error if you attempt to set both final URL and destination URL for an entity.

Migrate existing entities

You should migrate existing entities to use Upgraded URLs by 1 July, 2015. Refer to our migration guide for upgrading your existing entities to the new URL framework. If you wish to use the Basic upgrade option, you can use the bulk upload feature. If you choose to use the Advanced upgrade option, then you can use Scripts.

If you choose not to upgrade now, and your destination URL does not contain a different domain than the display URL, your destination URL will be updated automatically starting on 1 July 2015. If your destination URL does contain a different domain than the display URL, you will need to manually upgrade the URL or the ad will stop serving shortly after the July 1 deadline.

If you have questions or feedback about these features, let us know on our forum.

--Anash P. Oommen, AdWords Scripts Team

Announcing Upgraded URLs for the AdWords API

Today we’re rolling out access to Upgraded URLs for all AdWords API users. Upgraded URLs provide an easier and faster way to manage and track important information about each click on your AdWords ads. This new feature lets you enter the landing page portion of your URL and your tracking information separately in AdWords. Now you have the option to update your tracking information at your account, campaign or ad group without having to reset your ad stats.

For more information, please check out the AdWords blog. We've also put together a guide on how to set up Upgraded URLs via the AdWords API, which includes examples in each of our client libraries.

One final note: Upgraded URLs are intended to replace the old destination URL field in all relevant ad types. We have built tools to help you update your URLs to the new system, and you have a few different upgrade options, depending on your current URL structure. For more information on the sunset timeline and your options for upgrading, see our getting started guide.

If you have any questions or comments about this new feature, please contact us on the forum or via our Google+ page.

- Michael Cloonan, AdWords API Team