Announcement
January 27, 2005
Today Google launched the AdWords API, a free Google AdWords beta feature that enables developers to create computer programs that interact directly with the AdWords system. The AdWords API is designed for developers representing tech-savvy advertisers and the ecosystem of third parties which includes SEMs (search engine marketers), agencies, and other online marketing professionals who manage multiple client accounts and/or large campaigns.
With the programs developed through the API, advertisers can enable new business processes and use AdWords more efficiently through direct integration with their own systems. For third parties, the AdWords API enables them to create and utilize additional applications and tools to help manage clients’ accounts. We encourage those using the AdWords API to develop very creative, unique programs, which will ultimately bring more value to those using Google AdWords.
Examples of the types of programs that can be built with the AdWords API include campaign management, reporting and traffic estimation. Specific examples include:
- Generating automatic keyword, ad text, URL, and custom reports.
- Integrating AdWords data with other databases, such as inventory and financial management systems to automatically trigger ads to reduce excess inventory in case of product overstock.
- Developing additional tools and applications to help better manage AdWords accounts, such as building internal interfaces to view and manage account data.
In order to access the free API, developers need to use their Google My Client Center login email and password. If they do not have one, they can use their AdWords account to create a My Client Center during signup. After signup they’ll receive a developer token which is their key to access the API and acts as the unique identifier of their account activity. The developer token is allocated a quota of monthly operations, or actions that can be taken against an AdWords account. For example, requesting the status of a single Ad Group would be considered one operation. Updating the individual bids on 1,000 keywords would equate to 1,000 operations. API quota is determined by the aggregate account spend of all managed accounts, and is reset monthly.
More information on the AdWords API can be found at www.google.com/apis/adwords.
