Google Ads API Webinar: Hotel Ads

Introduction to Google Ads API Webinar for Hotel Ads

Overview of Presenters

• Adam Oren introduces himself as a developer advocate for the Google Ads API based in Singapore.

• Matt, also known as Nak, is introduced as a developer programs engineer from Tokyo, focusing on hotel ads migration.

• Son is introduced as an engineer from Cambridge, Massachusetts, responsible for the travel partner API and parts of the Google Ads API.

Webinar Agenda

• The agenda includes housekeeping rules, Q&A format, and topics covering hotel ads migration and tasks related to the Google Ads API.

• Nak will present on hotel ads content including migration overview and specific tests needed in the Google Ads API.

• Adam mentions this webinar is part of a series following an introductory session on the Google Ads API.

Hotel Ads Migration Overview

Understanding Entity Relationships

• Before migration, entities related to hotel ads were managed through the Hotel Ads Center; post-migration involves using the Google Ads API.

• Key concepts include accounts, campaigns, ad groups, and hotel listing groups; sub-account concepts do not exist in the new system.

Differences Between Workflows

• In the previous workflow with Hotel Ads Center, no ad entity was required; now it must be created within the Google Ads API framework.

• The relationship between entities has changed; for example, hotel listing groups are structured like decision trees under campaigns.

Tasks Using Google Ads API After Migration

Prerequisites for Using Google Ads API

• Users need access to their account data via a signup form and must have OAuth credentials ready before starting development.

Steps to Create Hotel Campaign

• Creating a hotel campaign involves setting up campaign objects with specific advertising types and bidding strategies (CPC).

Detailed Steps for Creating Entities

Creating Campaign Objects

• A campaign object requires naming conventions and settings that define it as a hotel campaign using specific IDs from Hotel Settings Info.

Ad Group Creation Process

• An ad group must be created first before any associated ads can exist; it requires specifying its type aligned with existing campaigns.

Optional Steps: Creating Bid Modifiers

Types of Bid Modifiers Explained

• Four types of bid modifiers are discussed: base selection type, advanced booking window, length of stay adjustments, and check-in day modifications.

Code Examples for Implementation

• Code examples illustrate how to create various bid modifiers using predefined criterion IDs or dynamically assigned ones based on user input.

Transitioning to Travel Partner API

Overview of Travel Partner API Functions

• Son explains that while many functions will sunset after full migration to Google Ads APIs, some services like ikw assignment will remain active.

Overview of Google Ads API and Hotel Center Integration

Introduction to Sub-Accounts and APIs

• The service allows users to read hotel information, prices, and manage sub-account details using a unique Celica ID for linking Google Ads accounts to the Hotel Center.

• Users can retrieve information by sending GET requests to specific endpoints such as hotels for prices and assignments, facilitating data management across sub-accounts.

API Functionality

• The presentation includes links for reviewing the discussed APIs, with a focus on maintaining the partner API until full integration with Google Apps is achieved.

• The developer site houses comprehensive guides and references covering all aspects of the Google Ads API, including sections dedicated to hotel ads.

Communication Protocols

• The native communication methods include gRPC over HTTP/2 endpoints along with a RESTful JSON interface; client libraries utilize these protocols effectively.

• Documentation also covers architectural considerations in the design of the Google Ads API, emphasizing resource naming conventions and protocol buffers usage.

Support Resources

• A dedicated support email (AdWords API-support@google.com) is available for developers facing issues or needing assistance with the Google Ads API.

• Community support is facilitated through the AdWords API forum where developers can post questions and receive help from both peers and developer relations teams.

Q&A Session Highlights

Device Modifiers Inquiry

• A question regarding device multipliers was raised; it was confirmed that they will be supported as different entities in upcoming releases of the Google Ads API.

Pricing Model Clarification

• Discussion about understanding Google's pricing accuracy revealed that hotel prices are managed by the Hotel Center ID, which will continue post-migration to ensure policy consistency.

Presentation Access

• Attendees were informed that slides from the webinar would be shared after completion via communication channels used for advertising the event.

Technical Insights on Data Refreshing

Price Accuracy Mechanism

• For pull partners refreshing data via an API request incurs approximately five minutes latency before reflecting changes on Google's side.

Differences in Data Retrieval Methods

• A distinction was made between how travel partner APIs use REST GET actions while Google Ads discourages this approach in favor of a unified query service designed for complex relational queries.

Linking Hotels to Google Ads

Linking Process Explained

• To link hotels to Google Ads, one must set up campaign-level settings using the hotel sender ID within their account's UI under account linking options.