Loss of Google AdWords API

[AaronWheeler]

Since August, we've had intermittent access to the Google Adwords API. Like others in this space, they've let us know that our access has been revoked. We've been working to restore this access, but unfortunately, we have not been able to do so. In the meantime we are working hard to find a suitable replacement that is both stable and a good fit for our customers’ needs.

We wanted to let our PRO members know, first to apologize, and second to explain how this has impacted your PRO access. We understand how important it is to have all your keyword data in one place, and we're sorry for any disruptions you've experienced from not having this data source in our app.We do want to clarify that this change does not affect your data from Google Analytics. The products affected by this change are our **Keyword Analysis tool and the keyword details and **keyword analysis pages within our web app. We removed this keyword query volume data within PRO a little earlier this year. You can still generate reports, but the metrics previously pulled from the Google Adwords data source is no longer there.The good news is, we don't actually use the Google AdWords data in our calculation of keyword difficulty, so these reports are still 100% accurate—they're just missing the information we usually pull from the API, which you can find on the Google AdWords Keyword Tool here.

We're so sorry about this, and understand how frustrating the loss of this data is. We're hoping to have an alternative data source soon, and we will keep you posted as we make progress. Please feel free to comment, ask questions, and get help by replying to this post. Thank you!

[nweaver45420]

Both Conductor (Searchlight) and BrightEdge still claim to carry Google Monthly Search Volume. Their tools do cost a LOT more than Moz or Raven, so maybe they're just paying more for API access?

It'd be helpful to get an update from the Moz team on this, it's been ~3 years now. Thanks!

[DorotheaKettler]

Is SEOmoz becoming a black hat tool?

[eseyo]

With Ravens announcement today (http://raventools.com/blog/scraped-data-serp-tracker/) at least they have gone in the opposite direction to SEOMoz which means as a subscriber to both I can get Adwords info through Raven and SERP tracking through SEOMoz. Evil Google strikes again. 2012 is the year they declared war against SEOs.

[n1ar]

As a subscriber to both SEOMoz and Raven, this is throwing a nasty wrench into my ability to do my job - I can't seem to push more than 100 keywords at a time through the AdWords Keyword Tool. I need to evaluate thousands of keywords at a time.

[AUZDriver]

Google's TOC state they don't allow scraping of SERPs.

Thus anyone who scrapes or uses scraped data is on their radar.

No surprise, Google isn't in business to provide SEO tools.

[MarketMongoose]

Corporatacracy is in full swing at Google - there was a brief period of empowerment and sharing success with SEO's now they want to hide their data from one of the largest SEO communities n the world?

Boo you Google.

Replacing the data:

SEOMOZ - SEMRUSH JV for the ages

[Will_Craig]

Sounds like Google just burst the ball,

I have both raven tools and seomoz sticking with them!!

[jlacomba]

Thanks, I hope google change this part of your API.

[mypctechs]

As a paid subscriber to both SEOMoz and SEMRush, my thought is one company buys the other. I get a discount, you get some really nice Adwords Keyword data.

[MikeTek]

Appreciate this, Adam - it's a shame, but I don't think SEOmoz owes anybody an apology here.

Google's in the ad business, and it's probably a relatively safe bet on their part that this move won't cause them much headache or revenue. Curious as to their motivation/incentive here - the Moz community has grown quite a bit, but I can't imagine the API suck was bad enough they had to make a budget/resource call (but maybe that's as simple as it is, resources used vs revenue generated). In any case, little to do but adapt and keep moving.

These are still phenomenal tools/reports, IMO. This has little impact on their value. I just used an advanced keyword analysis report earlier today to save a ton of time on competitive research. Still one of the gems of the SEOmoz toolset.

[AriNahmani]

This seems to be a concerted effort on Google's part to start revoking Adwords API access to SEO specific toolsets. First Raven, now SEOMoz. This is a statement, ... a declaration of war even...not a coincidence. It will be interesting to see if tools whose userbase are more disproportionately using the API to alter campaigns (PPC users) will be left alone.

[randfish]

We could probably do something that allows folks to upload their own AdWords data, but the issue, unfortunately, isn't related to account stuff, but to keyword research and search volume numbers (which are on-demand). For that, we'll need to find a different solution.

Way to be creative though!

[bstyle]

"Write an automated script that monitors a folder on all your clients hard drives"

A don't even think the NSA has come up with something so insidious yet so I don't think thats really going to work

Its become clear the current management in Google hates "SEO". They want everyone to pretend they don't exist and that we're all just back in '95 happily clicking cross site hyperlinks. Fact is, don't get too comfortable with a business or product based around Google SEO, they will put the brakes on once you get to a certain point.

[The_Tela]

Hi Folks -

To give a little more clarity around the issue Google hasn't given us specific feedback on features that led to our credentials being removed. Without specific guidance, we would rather focus our efforts on getting replacement data from other sources.

Yvette Valencia - thanks for your suggestion. We are looking at solutions that would provide a work-around for power users but are still evaluating options.

[massvector]

I'm so glad the keyword difficulty score is intact. It is easily my favorite SEO tool here. Bullet Dodged.

[Mark_Ginsberg]

Raven had the same thing happen to them - http://raventools.com/blog/update-google-adwords-availability-in-raven/ - for all of what they claim, taking away access to Adwords keyword data sucks - this is right up there with not provided, and is going to cause a major backlash in the industry

[WDWC]

The answer to this is seems rather simple.

Write an automated script that monitors a folder on all your clients hard drives, have the AdWords data exported to a .csv via a chron job through your client's interface and dropped down into the folder. Proceed to upload the folder data back into clients profile entries in the database, work your magic and "BAM!" You have adwords data like before.

(This blog post is copyrighted 2012. All rights reserved.) Smile.

[Poppy]

People pursuing power often make cowardly moves. Shame on G.

[jmueller]

Weird.. why would they revoke your access? No hint given at all?

[Zachary_Russell]

Aaron,

That kind of sucked, I always like Moz's better than the keyword tool, it was a little more aesthetically appealing.

Any reason why Google Revoked Access across the board? I know Raven lost access as well, but I thought it was because of finances, not because google decided to go power hungry.

thanks for the update though

[GeorgeAndrews]

Thanks for the update Aaron!