2021-08 Release Notes

Release Date: 2/24/2021

Summary 

In this release, we enhance the alternate value and product alias feature by incorporating its use inside search auto templates. We have also released the new Google VLA feed format available to clients utilizing the Display Custom Feeds features. With some minor bugs and tasks, you see some updates to the Bing AIA feed.

Product Alias Final Step Introduced Into Auto Templates

In our last release, we introduced the product alias functionality inside the Custom Feeds section. It functions similarly to the Vehicle alternates found inside the libraries section of the pre-build functionality but can now be passed into the External Search Feed Format and Auto Templates.

We will skip ahead to template utilization assuming you are familiar with the use of Product Alias’ from our last release. Need a refresher click here.

So the concept is simple. You want to have an alternate or a secondary value identified for a particular piece of inventory. Now you want to utilize those values inside your search auto templates and here’s how.

The new place holders are:(You will notice these are exactly the same as the prebuild template placeholders for alternates)

• [Make_alt]

• [Model_alt]

• [Trim_alt]

So the hard part is knowing in what order you would want to apply those altered values or how to handle values when they are empty. So the team said “Why not let the client decide”…makes sense to me. So how you use these values and in what order are completely up to you. Here’s an example.

Make = Chevrolet
Make Alias= Chevy
Model = Silverado 1500
Model Alias = Silverado
Make = Nissan
Make Alias = (none)

Example 1: Let’s say you want to utilize Alias’ if they have an alias and if not just use the normal values. So in your auto template, you make your placeholder [Make_alt:Make]. This functions as an order of operation much like default text. So using the data above for the two values returned would be Chevy & Nissan.

Example 2: Let’s say you only want to use the Alias variants. Then you would just use the [Make_alias]. This will only build values with the Alias’ and everything is ignored.

Example 3: And of course alternate values can still be used. As always we focus on the use of [Trim]. Trim is often the cause of vehicles being skipped because the template is looking for a value but that vehicle has no identified trim. Well, we wanted to include that possibility, so [Trim_alt:Trim:Base]. We look for the alternate first, then the main value and if both are missing we replace utilizing “Base”

Google Vehicle Listing Ads

As Google continues to roll out new features, the new feed format for Vehicle Listings Ads is now available. Much like the standard Product Listing utilizing Merchant center Google continues to innovate and offer new features for the automotive industry. Right now in Beta, the VLA format can now be utilized with the support feed format in our platform. We’ve included the details of the set-up process for PLA, which should be similar to the VLA process not publicly advertised for now. Clients will need to obtain the Google My Business id to create the feeds so please work with your dealer to get this information before setting up their first feed.

In the setup requirements please note the link template requires the addition of the store_code parameter. This is done using the URL append feature. The name of the value is store and the parameter value used is {store_code}

See the example of the store code parameter here.

Product Listing Ads one sheeter: Here

Minor Bugs & Tasks
Feature #3816: New email low impression alerts for VAST ad versions.
Feature #3847: Client settings section within the Frontend
Feature #3857: [Backend] Alternate values for Web Inventory data
Feature #3872: Display Feeds: Bing feed format update
Task #3863: Evaluate Aggregator site for PreBuild Search
Task #3871: Display Feeds: Rename Bing (little thing)