Google has rolled out version 17_1 of its Ads API, bringing new features and improvements designed to give you, the developer or advertiser, greater control and insight when managing campaigns. This update introduces key enhancements that are sure to streamline and enhance your advertising efforts.
Key updates you need to know
The latest release of the Google Ads API includes several vital updates to improve your experience and effectiveness when using the platform. One of the most notable additions is the ShareablePreviewService.GenerateShareablePreviews() feature. This function allows you to generate shareable ad preview URLs for active and paused asset groups. Moreover, these previews come with expiration dates, ensuring that your previews remain relevant and time-bound.
Another key feature is the AdGroupAdService.RemoveAutomaticallyCreatedAssets(), which allows you to remove automatically created assets linked to Responsive Search Ads. This is particularly useful for managing ad content more precisely and ensuring that your ads reflect exactly what you want them to.
A new ASSET_GROUP change status resource type has been introduced, along with a new offline_conversion_upload_conversion_action_summary report. This report is crucial for diagnosing offline conversions and gives you a clearer picture of how your offline activities are contributing to your overall campaign success.
Metrics for tracking conversions that are still in the processing stage have also been added to offline diagnostics reports. This allows you to monitor conversions still being handled, ensuring nothing falls through the cracks. Moreover, there is now support for segments.sk_ad_network_version and segments.date for per-store view segmentation, providing you with even more detailed analytics for your campaigns.
For those managing video campaigns, the update includes new capabilities for retrieving information on video campaign bidding strategies, such as Fixed CPM and Target CPV. Introducing new segments further enhances this.ad_format_type for compatible reports, making tracking and reporting on your video ad formats easier.
Why do these updates matter to you?
These updates are significant because they address common challenges many advertisers and developers face when using the Google Ads API. The ability to generate shareable ad previews, manage assets more effectively, and gain deeper insights into offline conversions means you can now operate more precisely and flexibly. This level of control is essential for optimising your campaigns and ensuring that your ads perform as effectively as possible.
What you should do next
You must update your client libraries and code to take full advantage of the new features introduced in v17_1. Google has assured us that this release does not include breaking changes, so you can make these updates with minimal disruption. The updated client libraries will be available next week, giving you time to prepare for and integrate these new features into your workflow.
In summary, the v17_1 update of the Google Ads API is designed to provide you with more granular control, better insights, and increased flexibility. Whether managing small or large campaigns, these enhancements will help you streamline your processes and achieve better results.