Using v 5.1 API to reference v6 Campaign data

Question

We are in the process of upgrading to the v.6 API but are still using v 5.1 in production.  When we pull a Keyword's BroadMatchBid (or Phrase or Exact for that matter), being a nullable value, it potentially returns null.  It appears null is returned to imply the parent AdGroup's default bid amount is to be used.  However, this "SearchBid" says "Not Used.  Reserved for future Use" in the v5.1 docs.  I don't see another way to get this default bid from the AdGroup in v.5.1.  We are upgrading to v.6 and I understand that upgrading will resolve the issue, but it seems like this really makes v.5.1 a non supported interface premature of its official deprecation date.  I am hoping I'm missing something but am currently unable to extract bid values from keywords setup in the Ad Center UI with AdGroup defaults.

Answer 1

Hello,

Keep in mind that V6 of the API was released at the same time that the features you're describing (adGroup Level Bids) were released in the adCenter UI (approx. April/May of 2009).  It is true that this is not really supported in API v5.1.  However, there will be situations like this where until you are on the latest version of the adCenter API, you may be missing out on features that are available in the adCenter UI or even the adCenter Desktop Tool.  We do work hard to synchronize our features betweent he different areas (UI, API, ACD, etc.) and with our spring releases were the pretty much in sync.  

It is important that our development partners are able to move to new versions quickly, so that they can take advantage of the features we release into the marketplace.  There will be situations where we cannot "back-version" a particular feature and the one you are referring to is an example of that. 

I would encourage your team to make sure that you are reaching out to your Microsoft Advertising account/team contacts as much as possible.  I also want to make sure that you're currently on our API communications lists so that you are getting our latest updates, etc.  If you can let us know the company you are with, we can reach out to you directly with more information. 

Thanks!
.bb

Bill Bledsoe
Operations Program Manager
Microsoft Advertising
API - SMB Reseller - Tool Providers