AdCenter Bulk Uploads

[oilman]

Curious if anybody out there has been able to use the excell/csv file upload functionality. I have to get get it to work. I've had some contact with the team at MSN and they didn't seem aware of an issue but did promise to look into it.

[GuyFromChicago]

Curious if anybody out there has been able to use the excell/csv file upload functionality. I have to get get it to work. I've had some contact with the team at MSN and they didn't seem aware of an issue but did promise to look into it.

Yes, I got it to work a couple weeks ago. It was, um, interesting to say the least. I noticed the instructions page (http://advertising.msn.com/msnadcenter/learningcenter/friends.asp) has been updated since I last looked it too.

Anyway, when I got it to work I had to export an existing order, clear the data from that template, copy and paste my new data and it worked. I did get some weird errors a few times and it turns out Adcenter treats some words/phrases as identicle that Google does not. Maybe it was plural/singular versions, or phrases with the word "the" in them. Sorry I don't remember the exact details.

[oilman]

yeah - it appears that they actually scan the file for duplicates before importing it and if there are any they kick it back to you. The problem is that the error message doesn't tell you what the issue is. Seems it would be far better if they imported the file, dupes and all, and then flagged the dupes at submission so you can edit quick and move on.

I'm actually quite enjoying AdCenter so far but there are a few usability issues that have really surprised me.

[GuyFromChicago]

I've been enjoying it as well. It gets a bit frustrating sometimes...like when I need to pull a report and the system no longer recognizes my login id... :( I really wish we could just cust a paste keywords too. You either have to import lists or type them one at a time.

It will be very interesting to see the traffic potential when MSN starts serving it's own ads 100% of the time. That's supposed to happen by June (http://www.ppcdiscussions.com/2006/01/adcenter-roll-out-coming-in-june.html). I would assume they'll open the doors for a lot more advertisers between now and then as well.

[Jenstar]

Is the error it kicks back the one about "We only accept excel or CSV file types"? I have been trying to upload a list of keywords without any luck, both with excel and CSV. I even went and downloaded the sample and inserted my own keywords, but still no AdCenter love. I checked for potential dups and tested a few by hand entering them, but nothing got flagged. I am really not looking forward to typing in 100s of keywords individually :eek:

If it is a dup issue, I agree that flagging them (as some got flagged when i used their keyword tool) AFTER they are entered into the order as keywords would be much smarter than spitting back an error that sounds more like a problem with my Excel/CSV file or a kink in their end for accepting imports.

[GuyFromChicago]

You could try uploading a "test" set of keywords. Use the template and just put in 3 or 4 keywords that couldn't possibly be considered dups. If that keyword set uploads ok then odds are it's flagging something in your real list as a dup.

If that doesn't work it's either a problem with your template/file or a temporary problem with AdCenter taking imports.

[stuntdubl]

"We only accept excel or CSV file types"?

Yeah, I got this error about a dozen different times before giving up. I'm guessing that's the only current error message.

It's not that great manually inputting phrases, but at this point with the minimal volume levels, you can broad match just about anything anyhow. Oh for the days of lazy man's PPC on Google and Yahoo again:)

...a few usability issues
Definitely an understatement, but it is still beta, and there are lots of nice aspects to it. They've got aways to go, but with a June launch(?) they should have plenty of time.

It's definitely nice to have another player in the field, and certainly increases the demand for 3rd party tools to handle all three systems.

[eWhisper]

I do think that the excel upload function is broken - tried this morning to upload in that format and had to resave the files as CSVs before uploading.

Are you saving the excel files as csv files and checking to make sure that excel didn't add any additional columns or rows before uploading?

I know that sounds over simplified, but in half the cases I've seen of csv errors - it's actually a save issue.

[grnidone]

I'm actually quite enjoying AdCenter so far but there are a few usability issues that have really surprised me.

You used the word 'usability' without my prompting you! I'm shedding a tear right now!

[adCenter411]

hi everybody,
there are a couple of things to check when you're importing. one is dups in your keyword list. the tool actually recognizes words such as "of" and "for" as dups. so something like:

burritos for investors
and
burritos of investors

would be seen as dups, and you wouldn't be able to upload it.

another thing to check is the character limits on other parts of your ad. the limits are:

ad title = 25 chars.
the 2nd + 3rd lines combined = 70 chars.
display URL = 35 chars.

take a look at these items in your file, and if you all are still having trouble, let me know and i can look into your specific cases further. In general, the upload functionality is working so if it's not working for some of you, I'd like to check out what's happening.

thanks,
adCenter

[Discovery]

"Duplicate" keywords are the issue.

Most of us have a huge xl spreadsheet of keywords ready for Google and Y!
We have taken these and formatted them slightly for MSN and tried to upload.
It remains to be seen if this is a good or bad thing, but MSN treats some phrases that contain the same string as a duplicate. For example:

You may have a list that uses locations.

rubber nail companies in texas
rubber nail companies in california
and so on.

But if you include a common keyword trick use in Google
rubber nail companies in
rubber nail companies

These will be viewed as duplicates.

Once we removed these "duplicates" from our file and saved it as a CSV - XL spreadsheet never works- then the file imports beautifully. And pretty darn fast too.

MSN could improve this process by simply displaying the keywords that are dups and give the advertiser the ability to agree to delete them from the submission and proceed with the upload. Right now they only give you a list of the dups and you would have to go to your file do a Find and Replace and then resubmit. This is very time consuming.

MSN should also allow for a copy and paste function...without a Y! like limit so very very easy.

Discovery

[eWhisper]

there are a couple of things to check when you're importing. one is dups in your keyword list. the tool actually recognizes words such as "of" and "for" as dups. so something like:

burritos for investors
and
burritos of investors

Is there a list of the dup words on MSN's help section?

[GuyFromChicago]

Is there a list of the dup words on MSN's help section?

I've never been able to find one :(

[adCenter411]

hi everybody,
here are some examples of dup words for adCenter. note this list is not inclusive or complete so please keep that in mind. in spite of that i'm hoping that this list will at least help you a bit.

also i'm going to work with some folks here to figure out if we can put this out somewhere (either in help or on http://advertising.msn.com where our learning center is) for easier user access. i'll keep you posted on that.

a
about
an
is
of
on
the
to
what
at
by
for
how
with
and
in
from
or


thanks,
adCenter411

[szetela]

Here's some additional advice re: dealing with bulk upload problems, given to me by adCenter support. Note that some of these refer to ad import:

1. If you cannot see the pop-up windows, go to step 10. If you can see the pop-up window, go to step 2.

2. When you import lists of keywords or ads, confirm the number of rows in the import file. For each order, MSN adCenter currently has a limit of 10,000 keywords for the keyword list and 20 advertisements for the advertisement list. There is also a maximum file size limit of 2MB. If you want to import a larger list, split the list into two files, and then load the files separately into different orders. Also note that if your order contains 8,000 keywords and you try to upload an additional 3,000 keywords, you will receive the same error message because the new list of keywords will cause the order to exceed the maximum number of keywords that are allowed for that order.

3. Only import a list of keywords or ads if more than four rows are required. If fewer than four rows are required, manually type the rows into the MSN adCenter UI. Do not import the file.

4. Make sure that no other tabs (worksheets) in the Excel import file have data in them.

5. If you are trying to import an Excel worksheet, you must close the Excel worksheet before you try to upload the worksheet. You cannot import an Excel worksheet that is open. The error message for this specific issue is "Excel and comma-separated value (CSV) files are the only import formats available" error message. This error message is incorrect, and Microsoft is working to fix the problem.

6. For comma separated value (CSV) files, if the title or the description of the advertisement contains commas, enclose that column’s text in double quotation marks--for example, "Tennis Shoes, Now on Sale.”

7. Determine whether Internet Explorer is set to block pop-up windows, and determine whether MSN adCenter is a trusted site. MSN adCenter uses pop-up windows to import files. If Internet Explorer is set to block pop-up windows, you should turn off any pop-up blockers. This lets MSN adCenter import files, export files, and complete other tasks. You should also add MSN adCenter as a trusted site.

To do this with Internet Explorer, follow these steps:

a. Start Internet Explorer.
b. Click "Tools," and then click "Internet Options."
c. Click "Security," and then click "Trusted sites zone."
d. Click "Sites."
e. In the "Add this Web site to the zone" text box, type adcenter.msn.com, and then click "Add."
f. To determine whether this resolved the problem, try to import or to export a file.

8. If pop-up blockers are turned off, and you still cannot see the popup import dialog the problem, try holding down the CTRL key when you click the button to import files.

[shilly]

If it "see's" the duplicate keyword and automatically rejects it, how do you make mass URL changes (new site, landing pages, adding tracking, etc..) without it getting kicked back?
On that note, how do you add your own unique tracking to each keyword through the interface?

[szetela]

I'm told by the adCenter folks that the duplicate issue is well-known and will be addressed before launch this summer.

Re: tracking: easiest way is to make the Order url something like:

http://www.foobar.com?source={keyword}

As in Google AdWords, the search term used will replace the token {keyword} and be visible in your log files or by your analytics package.

[shilly]

szetela,

thank you, but the problem I have is adding multiple parameter tracking strings. category, engine, keyword, etc.... Each one unique for each keyword.
How do I add these one by one (or use a bulk upload sheet like ggl and yah)? I read something about adding parameters to each keyword? Do I simply past the url with tracking into the parameter for each keyword?

[szetela]

Google AdWords lets you assign a different destination url for each keyword, which lets you add tracking data that's unique for each keyword.

MSN adCenter does not have a similar capablility. However, you can get pretty close functionality using the method I descrived - making the destination url of your ad something like this:

http://www.foobar.com?cat=widgets&engine=adcenter&keyword={keyword}

[shilly]

I just found out you actually can track on the keyword level. This is straight from MSN (still may want to verify).
go to manage keywords, export, add all the tracking urls to the export sheet under parameter 1. Import sheet.
Go to your ads and for the destination url, clear it out and click on parameter. Click on {param1}
Supposedly the individual keyword url will get served from then on.

[werty]

szetela "Google AdWords lets you assign a different destination url for each keyword, which lets you add tracking data that's unique for each keyword.

MSN adCenter does not have a similar capablility. However, you can get pretty close functionality using the method I descrived - making the destination url of your ad something like this:

http://www.foobar.com?cat=widgets&engine=adcenter&keyword={keyword} "

The problem with dynamically adding your keywords into a URL string on AdCenter is that it will break your url if the keyword is TWO_WORDS. It breaks them at the space, instead of ammending the url with a %20, -, or +.

Shilly is correct with using parameter one as the tracking URL, and insterting that into the target url of your ad. I have had issues where it would do page not found so I foudn it better to use www.example.com{param1} as my url where {param1} = /targetpage.html?keywords=wigdet&other=whatever&blah=blah that way when it hits it without the parameter (spider?/url varifier) it actually finds a page.

[szetela]

Thanks to both of you for pointing out the problem with my approach and pointing out a better one. I'm doing some testing and will report back.

[shilly]

"The problem with dynamically adding your keywords into a URL string on AdCenter is that it will break your url if the keyword is TWO_WORDS. It breaks them at the space, instead of ammending the url with a %20, -, or +."

Create a macro or ecel formula to add a "+" to any spaces when adding your tracking. Will then work fine.

[werty]

Shilly, your solution works if you are writing custom URLS in excel or a text editor, it is when you try and auto generate the URLS in AdCenter, by adding {keyword} that will cause them to break:

http://www.foobar.com?cat=widgets&engine=adcenter&keyword={keyword}

that the {keyword} will cause it to break if it is over 2 words.

For the {keyword} big red widgets it would report
http: //www.foobar.com?cat=widgets&engine=adcenter&keyword=big red widgets

which would be transformed into:
http: //www.foobar.com?cat=widgets&engine=adcenter&keyword=big

[msashok]

werty,

Where do you see the {keyword} break happening? Is this in some report that Ad Center generates or is this after the url has been clicked?

thanks
ashok

[werty]

I was seeing it after the ad was clicked, meaning it was not properly tracking or linking people to the right page - breaking at the space.

If you want to do any keyword level tracking you are better off putting your URL in {Param1} then making your URL of the ad as {Param1}

[Discovery]

Can a grown man cry openly in a forum...well here I am.

Sweet mercy, I can't get anything to import into adcenter.

I have used the exact same format as offered on MSN
I don't even get a you have dups error, just the you can only use excel or csv format, or that there is no data in the file... arg.

What's frustrating is that we got it to work a few weeks back. I noticed that they changed the column headings slightly.. have there been other changes? I have tried every combo possible.. csv xl, workbook, worksheet and so on. Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

I would hate to be forced to start eating quiche and watching Allen Alda movies.

Discovery

[MentorMatt]

I was able to upload a substantial number of keywords using
just about ALL hints given in the thread:

No duplicates
In particular, no Uppercase/Lowercase duplicates
Worked with xls files
Exported first, then modified and imported
Accepted all cookies in the Tools Menu in IE
Exited Excel when uploading
Pressed Ctrl when clicking Import

Did you do ALL of the above?

Matt

[Discovery]

Matt,

Thanks for your tips - We got it to work this morning!
Here is exactly what we did.

Used the template provided in adcenter
pasted our keywords in and added bid amounts.
SAVED FILE AS AN XL 5.0 WORKBOOK
- It did not process when using a WORKSHEET but instead gave an error stating we must have at least one row of data.
After saving the file we closed the workbook.
In adcenter we selected import, browsed to the file and
HELD DOWN ctrl while clicking import.

This did the trick!

Looking forward to loading up the campaigns today

Thanks again for your help

Discovery

[lefrenchie]

To all of you that are having problems uploading using the bulk upload feature: Here is the fix for the error that states: please use an excel or csv file. Basically you need to make sure that the excel or csv file is not open when you upload and voila you're good to go. This solved the problem on my end.