Last week, search marketing software provider Raven decided to stop using scraped data after Google's AdWords API team threatened to revoke the company's token. Now, a second tools provider, Ahrefs, says it, too, will remove functionality that uses scraped data, to maintain access to the AdWords API. [caption id="attachment_142198" align="aligncenter" width="565"] Ahrefs announced the change on its website[/caption] A third provider, SEOmoz, has said it has lost access to the AdWords API, but didn't elaborate on the reason. Though Google denies conducting any sort of crackdown, it doe [...]

Related Topics: Channel: SEM | Google: AdWords | Google: APIs

While there has been lots of talk about a Google crackdown on developer access to the AdWords API, there have been few details about what the disputed issues may be -- and why they're coming up now, with tools-makers like Raven and SEOmoz that have had access to the API for years. Now, Raven Tools, which was warned about possibly having its API token revoked back in November, is opening up about what's going on in its case, at least. The issue: Raven has long been using data scraped from search engine results pages (SERPs) to display ranking and keyword data for its customers. While the [...]

Related Topics: Channel: SEM | Google: AdWords | Google: APIs | Top News

In the last couple of weeks, two well-known search tool providers -- Raven and SEOmoz -- have had their access to the AdWords API revoked, with little public explanation, as was reported by Kahena Digital Marketing. But Google denies that this is a "crackdown" or widespread enforcement activity, saying it's all in a day's work of ensuring compliance with the terms of service for its API. Here's the official statement from a Google spokesperson: "We regularly audit developers to make sure they comply with the terms of our AdWords API so that AdWords customers get the best experience when t [...]

Related Topics: Channel: SEM | Google: AdWords | Google: APIs

Have you ever typed a company name into Google and been instantly greeted with words like ‘scam’ or ‘complaints’ by Google Autocomplete? That can’t be good for business, and it is a situation that more and more organizations are finding themselves in. Being part of a firm that is heavily involved in Online Reputation Management (ORM), we take on a wide range of tasks. There is a bit of everything, from helping individuals clean up search results for their names to partnering with corporations to identify and fix reputation problems. One of the most common issues we get now, fro [...]

Related Topics: Channel: SEO | Enterprise SEO | Google: APIs | Google: Instant | Google: Suggest | Google: Toolbar

Google announced a few upgrades and new features to its Maps and Places APIs during the Google I/O developers conference on Wednesday. On the API front, Google Maps' Product Manager Thor Mitchell announced that business reviews are now available in the Google Places API. Developers will be able to access the top five reviews associated with a business listing, but there was no explanation for how the top five reviews are determined. Mitchell also said Google is working on adding full Zagat review data to the Places API. The Google Maps API now includes one of the most oft-requested deve [...]

Related Topics: Channel: Local | Google: APIs | Google: Maps & Local

In a move that Google says was designed to "ensure quality, improve Google products and services and compliance with AdWords API Terms and Conditions," the company earlier this week revoked access to the AdWords API to a large number of developers, raising the ire of many who complained about a lack of warning and communication, along with damage to their businesses and clients. The reverberations of the apparent attempted clean-up has been significant, with nearly a hundred AdWords API developers reporting in a discussion group that their developer token had been suddenly revoked -- though [...]

Related Topics: Channel: SEM | Google: AdWords | Google: APIs | Top News

Google announced they are starting a new service named Page Speed service. Essentially, this service will be Google fetching the content on your web site and then serving it up with speed improvements of 25% to 60% to the rest of the world, including Google's bots. Google will eventually charge for the service but has not yet said how the pricing structure will look. The service includes: An online service that automatically speeds up loading of your web pages. Switch your domain name to point to Google's DNS. Page Speed Service fetches content from your servers It rewrites your [...]

Related Topics: Channel: SEO | Google: APIs | Google: General | Google: SEO

Google today announced the first upgrade to its AdWords API this year, touting features like the ability to run reports across clients, better filtering, improved geo-targeting, and the ability to deploy and measure "experiments," or A/B split testing. In coming weeks, API v201101 will also feature the ability for agencies to use interest-based advertising at scale, meaning they can set conversion events on their own web sites and easily target the people who visit certain pages, or do specified things. For example, an automobile manufacturer might want to target people who've visited a se [...]

Related Topics: Channel: SEM | Google: AdWords | Google: APIs

TechCrunch reports Google has intentionally dropped the phonebook data sync from Facebook. The reason Google cites is because Facebook contacts "cannot be exported from the device" and thus do not allow users to "control their data" as freely as Google would like. This topic has been going on for months, starting back in November when Facebook removed the ability to export email addresses to some third-party applications. Google responded by warning Google users to not export their contracts to Facebook. The Google & Facebook conflict is nothing new, especially with Bing & Facebook's spe [...]

Related Topics: Channel: Social | Facebook | Google: Android | Google: APIs | Google: Business Issues

Google is retiring its Base API and replacing it with two shopping-centric APIs, requiring developers to modify applications that manage and search product data.  Google Base will be shuttered permanently as of June 1, 2011. The Content API for Shopping will be used for uploading data, and the Search API for Shopping for accessing product data. The Content API can be used to add, delete, query or modify any item individually or with a batch protocol. The Search API is aimed at helping Google Affiliate Network publishers and Google Commerce Search customers. Both of the new APIs use the [...]

Related Topics: Channel: SEO | Google: APIs | Google: Base | Google: Product Search | Microsoft: APIs | Microsoft: Bing Ads

TechCrunch reports Facebook has removed the Gmail option of finding friends on Facebook. If you go to the find friends section on Facebook, you will find options to find your friends via Skype, AIM, Windows Live Hotmail, Yahoo, AOL, Comcast, MSN, sbcglobal and verizon.net, but you won't see Google's Gmail as an option: This doesn't come as a surprise to many. Earlier this month, Google changed their terms of service to force Facebook to either open up more of their information or have to drop Gmail as a friends find option. Here are more of the related stories below to track this [...]

Related Topics: Channel: Social | Facebook | Google: APIs | Google: Business Issues | Google: Partnerships

Continuing on from Danny's Facebook: You’ve No Right To Export Email Addresses , it appears Google has upped the ante. ReadWriteWeb noticed that when you try to export your contacts to Facebook, Google gives you a big warning. This warning stems from Google recently changing their terms of service of their contacts API to prevent Facebook from using it without allowing Facebook users to export their data. Yesterday, Facebook began allowing you to export the names of your friends, but nothing all that useful. Google's response is a new warning page having you think twice before exportin [...]

Related Topics: Channel: Social | Facebook | Google: APIs | Google: Business Issues | Google: Partnerships

TechCrunch reports Google has made a small but significant change to their Google Contacts API terms of service that technically prevents Facebook from using it to improve their friends database. When users sign up to Facebook, they are prompted to add friends. They can do so manually or by uploading their contacts or email lists. To make this process easier, Facebook, like other sites, integrate with the various APIs to allow users to enter their username and passwords on third party sites so Facebook can get the data for them. Google is one of those main data sources for Facebook, [...]

Related Topics: Channel: Social | Facebook | Google: APIs | Google: Business Issues | Google: Partnerships

Google previously announced (at its I/O developer conference) the creation of a Places API as part of the Google Maps API. That Places API is now open for business and being made available to third party developers. Booyah's MyTown "check-in" app is one that has already been using it. In short all the information and data that Google has about a place, say Gramercy Tavern in New York, will become available to developers through the API. This is exciting to many and offers the promise of a kind of open or "free" database of places (an LBS meme of late), though some might prefer a "neutral" d [...]

Related Topics: Channel: Mobile | Google: AdSense | Google: APIs | Google: Maps & Local | Google: Mobile

Just about a month ago Google shut down v13 of the AdWords API for v200909. Now Google announced the next version of the AdWords API, v201003 beta. Google explained that v200909 is not going away anytime soon. But they want to release this new beta to enhance the current offerings of their AdWords API. The enhancements include: ReportService beta: generate reports about the performance of your AdWords campaigns Bid simulator: see estimated clicks, cost and impressions corresponding to various Max. CPC bids Ad Sitelinks extensions: include up to four additional links in your ads to [...]

Related Topics: Channel: SEM | Google: AdWords | Google: APIs

Google announced Monday about upcoming changes to its AdWords API fees. This change has been a long-time waiting for many agencies that have often had a constant battle gaining respect from Google. The Google API platform is structured to allow developers to interact with AdWords. This permits agencies to create their own bidding and reporting tools. Through these tools, agencies are able to automate keyword generation, ad text, dynamic URL’s and much more.  However, many of those enhancements have been limited because of the cost constraints. The recent API announcement was buried wi [...]

Related Topics: Channel: SEM | Features: Analysis | Google: AdWords | Google: APIs

After much warning, Google will be sunsetting much of the AdWords API v13 today. Today the following v13 services will go offline: CampaignService AdGroupService CriterionService AdService InfoService KeywordToolService SiteSuggestionService How will you know exactly when they go offline? When you receive the error code 213 response from Google's API servers. So if you have not done so already, make sure to upgrade to v200909. [...]

Related Topics: Channel: SEM | Google: AdWords | Google: APIs

The Google AdWords API blog posted another warning that on April 22, 2010 there will be a major sunsetting of the version 13 API features. As of April 22, 2010, the following v13 services will no longer be accessible: CampaignServiceAdGroupServiceCriterionServiceAdServiceInfoServiceKeywordToolServiceSiteSuggestionService However, the AccountService, TrafficEstimatorService, and ReportService will remain available until they replace it with v200909. [...]

Related Topics: Channel: SEM | Google: AdWords | Google: APIs

The Google AdWords API Blog announced that advertisers who use the v2009 API can now use up to two dynamic parameters in the ad copy. The ad parameters include numbers such as prices, discount percentages, quantities, and so on. For example, if you run an airline and you want to display the latest prices for a trip from New York to Los Angeles, you can do so using the API. The ad copy can read something like, "Fly from NY to LA for $249, Act Now, Only 3 Seat Left." See the power in running an ad like that? Here is an example of the dynamic parameters in an ad and how it might show: [...]

Related Topics: Channel: SEM | Google: AdWords | Google: APIs | Top News

The Google AdWords API blog reminds us that version 200906 of the beta AdWords API will be shut down on February 2, 2010. Replacing that is version 200909, which has been available since October. Also, as a reminder, version 13 of the API is closing April 22, 2010. I keep reminding AdWords advertisers and developers, because these dates are incredibly important to keep your campaigns, reporting and tools up to date. [...]

Related Topics: Channel: SEM | Google: AdWords | Google: APIs