2021-26 Release Notes

Release Date: June 30, 2021

Sprint Overview

This release was focused on improving some of the search functionality to increase flexibility and features inside the Hoot Interface. This includes the ability to now shared negatives with Pre-build templates and allowing end-users to create ads inside Google without our system pausing those ads on the nightly sync.

Bing AIA Ads Feed Format Update

The Bing AIA Feed Format has been available for some time but with limited use, we have opted to wait for user feedback to adjust and make certain changes. The requirement to include Target Campaign and AdGroup in the feed was something we managed through hardcoding in the backend of the system. However, with the continued adoption of utilizing this feed format, we decided it was time to include that in the feed set-up wizard that is user-facing in the platform. Both values can be defined now when creating or editing a Bing AIA Feed.

Although not required we felt some clients might want the dealership phone number included in the feed so that is also added to the options list when completing the feed subscription.

Ref: IT-85 Add Target Ad Group field to the Bing feeds

Google Search Ads Exclude Feature

As most users know our Auto template feature allows users to manage campaign structure, ad copy, bids, and keywords from within the Hoot Interface. This management is done dynamically as the inventory transitions in and out of the dealer’s site but also forces the user to maintain updates within our interface.

This is a bit different than our Prebuild templates which allow the user to create the campaign structure and content, but users can still manage changes inside Google as there are no campaign content changes past the original template creation. Where auto template is a bit more restrictive.

Some clients prefer the way the auto templates manage updates and campaign contents but need some flexibility in content management. So, with this release, we have updated the platform to allow users to apply the IM_Exclude label to ads they wish to add through Google ads directly. This means users can activate and manage custom ads within an ad group without our interference. Prior to this change, any manually added ads would be automatically paused on the nightly process. We hope this allows users more flexibility to support monthly or custom ad messaging needed to service their clients.

Create/Edit your ad

1. Select the ad you wish to have excluded from processing

2. Select “Label”

3. Select “IM_Exclude”

4. Apply Changes
   Please note this only excludes the ad from our processing we will still turn off and on ad groups as inventory changes even if one of these ads falls within that ad group.

Ref: IT-76 IM_Exclude At the ad level

Shared Negatives Feature Enhancement

Create and share your negative list across all your Prebuild templates. This was first added as a feature to our Auto Templates, we are happy to announce it is now available inside the Prebuilt Templates as well. Like the feature inside Google but now available inside our platform to help improve its availability.

To use the feature simply create a Negative List then inside each template simply assign the list you wish to use. Multiple lists can be assigned to one template.

• To create the list:

  • Navigate to your campaign builder dashboard

  • Inside the Prebuild Template Navigate to the “Negative keywords” tab

  • Create your list name, submit

  • Open the list edit page and add the keywords needed either manually or using a bulk sheet provided in the edit screen.

After the list is created it becomes available and then can be added inside any template curing the creation/edit process.

Ref: IT-44 Search: Add Shared Negatives to Pre-build Templates

Minor Bugs and tasks

Below are the general tasks and bug fixes addressed during this sprint
IT-87 VDP Link as clickthrough for 1 record video template (Prep for 2021-28)
IT-84 Remove user from search templates
IT-81 Add the table advertiser_video_stats to metrics database.
IT-77 Prevent SRP filtering when there are no vehicles found
IT-74 Client Activity Alert (Internal Accounting)
IT-70 Sizmek – Video Ad versions transcoding with extra frames
IT-25 Change Auto-Templates’ Address field to prevent set Text values