The AdWords API allows apps to interact directly with the AdWords platform, vastly increasing the efficiency of managing large or complex AdWords accounts and campaigns. Some typical use cases include:
- Automated account management
- Custom reporting
- Ad management based on inventory
- Bid management based on business data
With the AdWords API you can build software that manages accounts from the customer level down to the keyword level. The API can do almost everything the AdWords website does, but programmatically.
Types of companies that have benefited from the AdWords API include:
- Ad agencies
- Search Engine Marketing (SEM) companies
- Big brands managing a large number of accounts, with needs beyond what's possible within the AdWords web interface.
The AdWords API uses SOAP; to help you get started, we offer client libraries in Java, .NET, Python, PHP, Perl, and Ruby.
Is the AdWords API right for you?
The AdWords API is very powerful, but it's a serious commitment. Several versions are released, deprecated, and sunset each year. Make sure you have the engineering resources to deal with this, and that you have a business need that's not met by other AdWords tools. Here are some general guidelines:
| Tool: | AdWords API | AdWords scripts | AdWords Editor |
AdWords Manager
Account |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Requires: | Dedicated engineering resources |
Few or occasional engineering resources |
No engineering resources |
No engineering resources |
| Provides: |
Customized reporting Integration with Automated account |
Automation of Account alerts External, feed-based |
Bulk editing tools Easy access to Ability to copy or |
Account-level or Cross-account Efficient management |
Next steps
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Try making an API call.
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Brush up on AdWords API concepts.
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Browse Best Practices and other performance guides to establish a solid foundation for your app.
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If you have questions, check out the FAQ or visit the AdWords API forum.
Need help? Visit our