jatiN mahindrA doT coM

Google Adds XML Validation to AdWords API Sandbox

I cannot tell you how many issues I see come up in the AdWords API forum about why does a certain request work in the Google AdWords API Sandbox and not in the normal AdWords API. A Sandbox API is a test ground for developers to test out new code changes without impacting live data. Eric Koleda from the AdWords API Team announced in a AdWords API Help thread the introduction of enhanced XML validation...

Picture: Google “Related Commercial Searches”

A few days ago, we reported on rumors of Google Showing Commercially Related Keywords In AdWords Positions. Well, it turns out to be true. A long time friend from the industry, Darrin Ward sent me a screen shot of this image the other day. Here it is: As you can see, in the position of where Google’s search ads go, the AdWords ads, are “related commercial searches.” I guess...

Google Explaining Why Some Sites Do Not Qualify For AdWords

A WebmasterWorld thread has an updated discussion on the mass banning of AdWords advertisers that has seemed to slow in the past month or so. It appears from the updated conversation that Google is now going to specific advertisers and not banning them outright, but now lowering their quality score and emailing them warnings. Not only that, Google is being very specific and detailed about the issues...

Google API Bug: Traffic Estimate For proximityTargets

For those heavy Google AdWords API users and developers, did you know that the proximityTargets do not work properly for traffic estimation? A Google AdWords API Help thread has Eric Koleda from the Google AdWords API Team who confirmed the issue. He said: There is a known issue where proximityTargets aren’t processed correctly for traffic estimation. I don’t believe this problem will...

Google Showing Commercially Related Keywords In AdWords Positions?

A somewhat hard to read thread at WebmasterWorld describes Google as testing showing a related keywords type of box in the position where Google would show their AdWords search ads. From what I understand is that the initial query was not commercial enough to drive search ads. Google offered up related keywords that seemed to be more commercially oriented. If someone refines their search by clicking...

Google AdWords Now Allows Only VIPPS & CIPA Pharmacy Ads

Google announced they are now allowing certain pharmacy and drug ads on their search results. Google AdWords will only accept advertisements from VIPPS and CIPA certified pharmacies, and that these pharmacies can only target ads within the countries where they are accredited. Of course, for those running ads on the topic of pharmacy and drugs and health, that may have been running ads in the realm...

Google AdWords Let’s You Target a CPA

A WebmasterWorld thread has discussion about a possible new bidding feature in AdWords. Honestly, I am not sure how new it is, but it basically allows you to set a target CPA (cost per acquisition) and Google will try to optimize your bids to achieve it. The advertiser wrote that he was presented with this option after logging in to manage his AdWords account. Google told him: This new option allows...

60 Days Left on Old Google AdWords API

There is only 60 days left to migrate off the old AdWords API and to version v200909. Jason for the AdWords API team posted a thread at the AdWords API Forum warning API users once again about this upgrade. Jason said: Last month we reminded you that on April 22 most v13 services will be turned off. In 60 days, the following v13 services will no longer be accessible (read more over here) –...

Google Adds Two New Support Reps to AdWords Forums

A Google AdWords Help forum announced the addition of two additional AdWords support representatives to the forums. Both representatives have been working at Google for “several years” and decided to take the plunge in forum help. The names are AdWordsPro Sarala and AdWordsPro Rasika. AdWordsPro Sarah introduced them in the Google AdWords Help and AdWordsPro, as well as the new forum reps,...

Google Offers Free Online AdWords Training

A week or so ago, Google announced the availability of free online courses to learn more about AdWords. There are both live courses and ‘on-demand’ courses. The first live online course is being given tomorrow, the 17th at 11am-12pm (PST) on Understanding Quality Score. You can sign up over here. For a complete listing of both online and offline courses in North America click here and...

Google AdWords Bug: Can’t Enter Billing Information

There is a new, confirmed bug in Google AdWords that will prevent some people from adding their billing information to their account. AdWordsPro Bindu, an official Google representative, posted the details in a Google AdWords Help thread. Bindu said: There is a known technical issue where some advertisers are unable to enter billing information and are redirected to the AdWords homepage. Google...

Google AdWords Hides Their Tax ID From Invoices?

Tax time is just around the corner and people are preparing their U.S. tax returns. Part of that, for some, is to document how much they spent on their Google AdWords campaigns. To do that, they typically want to know Google’s tax ID number, to put on the IRS forms. Google has an FAQ on how to locate Google’s tax ID number. It goes as follows: (1) Sign in to your AdWords account at...

Google AdWords Disapproved For “Artificial Ad Traffic”

Some Google AdWords advertisers are reporting that their ads are being disapproved due to what is called “Artificial Ad Traffic.” There are two thread at Google AdWords Help on the topic. At this point, no one really fully understands the issue behind those warnings. An advertising policy guideline on Inflating Ad Clicks or Impressions was hyperlinked to by one AdWords helper. Then...

Google AdWords Changing Reports-Only Access To Read-Only

An email has started going out to Google AdWords advertisers about a change to privilege access in AdWords. The email basically says that the “report-only” access is changing to “read-only” access. Here is a block of the email that went out to advertisers. We’re going to replace reports-only access with a new read-only access. In your account, all reports-only users...

No Bathroom Breaks for Google AdWords Exams

This may be common knowledge to some, but I really had no idea the Google AdWords Professional exam was timed. You have two hours to complete about one hundred questions. You cannot pause the test or stop it and pick it up later. Personally, I am an extremely fast test taker. I was the one in class that always finished first. Didn’t mean I got all the questions right, but I was fast. But...