2021-16 Release Notes

Release Date: 4/21/21

Deployment Overview

The focus of today’s release is to help improve user experience and improve system security. While some minor bugs and tasks were completed most of the work completed was backend functionality, data clean-up, and usability. 

Pre-Build Filtered Data Alert

To further improve filtered data communication we’ve now added filtered data alerts to pre-build templates. The problem we face is that many users apply filters or design search templates in such a way that some vehicles are skipped during the creation of campaigns. We addressed auto-templates in Release 2021-12 and now are adding a way to alert users of this filtering of data through alert messaging when attempting to download a pre-built search template.

I’ll use a similar example as discussed in the previous release notes. Let’s say you have a list of vehicles in your library:

• Toyota Camry

• Toyota Camry LE

• Toyota Corolla

• Toyota Highlander Limited

In your ad copy you have used the following placeholders:

• Headline: [Make] [Model] [Trim]

• Keywords: New [Model] [Trim]

We would only create ad groups, ads, and keywords for the Camry LE and the Highlander LE. Because the other two vehicles are missing a value for [Trim] we would by default skip these values. This behavior has created a bit of confusion when downloading templates and clients don’t see certain vehicles.

We originally attempted to reduce this confusion by allowing clients to utilize the default text feature. This feature allows clients to define a text replacement should the value be missing. Something like [Trim:Standard]. This would then replace any missing trim value with “Standard” so the vehicle would still be generated.

We believe the problem is that 1. many people are not aware of the available solution and 2. There is a lack of alerting the client when this behavior happens. 

So now when downloading a Pre-Build Search template the user will receive an alert pop-up that there are values being skipped because of missing values. The user will have two options 1. To ignore and download or 2. Elect to fix. 

Below is a sample alert message:

User Password Requirements

After an extensive review of users and security protocols, we implemented a new password security protocol for user passwords. Passwords must now have a minimum of 8 characters, 1 capital letter, 1 lower case, 1 number, and 1 special character.

We have also noted several instances where users have used easily deciphered phrases for passwords so we will now check and prevent using these types of terms for passwords. Examples include using phrases like; password, love, and 12345.

Minor Bugs & Tasks

3990 Facebook ad version allows more infinite characters in the headline
3973 Account: We need a Better “info” icon for dealer type
3969 Google VLA Missing Column “Availability”
3949 Remove PII Macros from VAST tags.