The latest release of Google’s Ads API, version 23.2, arrives with a focused set of updates designed for developers and marketers who rely on automation and precise reporting. Instead of broad strokes, this update emphasizes visibility into how video assets and app campaign elements are used, along with practical tweaks that can help teams fine-tune campaigns and measurement. Below is a detailed look at what’s new, why it matters, and how to adopt the changes in your tooling.
What’s new in Google Ads API v23.2
Version 23.2 introduces several targeted additions that deepen insights into creative usage and campaign performance. Each new resource is aimed at making it easier to understand what drives engagement and how different assets perform in real-world placements.
- A new VideoEnhancement resource surfaces whether a video ad is generated by Google or provided by the advertiser, giving developers clearer visibility into auto-enhanced creative.
- A new AppTopCombinationView resource provides read-only insights into the top-performing asset combinations within App campaigns, helping teams spot which assets tend to work best together.
- The ability to disable the hotel feed in Demand Gen campaigns via HotelSettingInfo.disable_hotel_setting adds a level of control for campaigns that don’t rely on hotel-related inventory.
- A new conversion metric tracks indirect first-in-app installs across Campaign, Customer, and AdGroup resources, enabling more nuanced attribution and measurement across the funnel.
- Enhancements to ContentCreatorInsightsService and ReachPlanService expand capabilities for creator-related insights and campaign planning.
In practice, these changes mean developers can build more transparent dashboards, agencies can report on creative provenance with greater clarity, and marketers can adjust tactics with better signals about asset performance and audience fit.
Upgrading and implementing v23.2
Adopting version 23.2 requires updates to both client libraries and the client-side code that consumes them. Google has published updated libraries and code examples to help teams migrate smoothly, but a thoughtful upgrade plan is still essential to avoid disruption.
Best-practice steps for upgrading include:
- Review the new resources and metrics to understand which changes affect your current reporting and dashboards.
- Update the client libraries in your project to the v23.2 release, ensuring compatibility with your language and framework.
- Update any code samples or integration points that reference legacy resources or metrics, aligning them with the new VideoEnhancement, AppTopCombinationView, and other additions.
- Rerun integration tests and end-to-end checks to verify that new data paths return expected results and that reporting pipelines reflect the updated schema.
- Plan a staged rollout to monitor impact in a non-production environment before full deployment.
Google’s release notes emphasize that the upgrade is routine but meaningful: it introduces practical improvements that can improve visibility and control, especially for teams building custom reporting or automation around campaign creative and planning.
Why this release matters for reporting and automation
The introduction of the VideoEnhancement resource marks a notable advance in creative transparency. For years, Performance Max and other automated systems have struggled with reporting that clearly distinguishes Google-generated creative from advertiser-supplied assets. With VideoEnhancement, developers can programmatically identify the origin of a video ad, allowing for more accurate attribution, clearer client reporting, and better-informed optimization decisions. This is especially valuable for agencies and teams that assemble custom dashboards or third-party reporting tools and want to present a complete picture of where creative inputs come from.
The AppTopCombinationView resource adds a practical lens for app campaigns. By offering read-only insights into the top asset combinations, teams can quickly spot which creative pairings—such as headings, descriptions, and images—tend to outperform others. This supports more intelligent asset testing and faster optimization cycles, helping marketers allocate budget toward combinations that yield stronger signals and conversions.
Other enhancements, including the ability to disable hotel feeds in Demand Gen campaigns and the new indirect in-app install metric, broaden the toolkit for campaign customization and measurement. The hotel feed toggle can be particularly relevant for marketers who want to keep inventory signals tightly aligned with their product or service focus, avoiding irrelevant placements. The indirect install metric contributes to a more nuanced view of in-app user journeys, enabling teams to capture downstream effects of campaigns that drive engagement beyond the first touchpoint.
Getting the most from ContentCreatorInsightsService and ReachPlanService
ContentCreatorInsightsService and ReachPlanService improvements reflect Google’s broader push to empower planning and creative strategy with richer data. ContentCreatorInsightsService gains more depth in understanding how creators influence reach and resonance, which can feed into smarter partnerships and content strategies. ReachPlanService updates help marketers forecast and model reach more accurately in an environment where inventory and audience behavior are continually evolving. In practical terms, this means better planning inputs, more reliable forecasting, and a clearer path from creative concepts to performance outcomes.
Release walkthrough and how to join
For teams that want a guided walkthrough of the v23.2 changes, Google hosted a live release session. The event covered the new resources, demonstrated how to implement them in client code, and answered developer questions. A recording was made available for those who could not attend live. If you’re planning an upgrade, watching the walkthrough can help align your implementation with Google’s recommended best practices and ensure you’re leveraging the new capabilities effectively.
The bottom line
Version 23.2 represents a targeted, practical update to the Google Ads API. The standout addition is the VideoEnhancement resource, which fills a significant gap in reporting by clarifying whether video creative is Google-generated or advertiser-provided. Combined with AppTopCombinationView and other enhancements, this release provides developers and marketers with better tools to understand asset performance, plan campaigns, and communicate results with greater precision. It’s a routine but meaningful upgrade that can pay off in clearer dashboards, more actionable insights, and smoother collaboration between creators and advertisers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Do I need to upgrade right away? A: While systems will continue to operate on previous versions for some time, adopting v23.2 ensures access to the new resources and metrics. If you rely on up-to-date reporting and planning capabilities, plan the upgrade in a staged manner after reviewing the new features and updating code accordingly.
Q: Will this affect existing reports? A: The new VideoEnhancement and related features add visibility rather than remove or replace existing metrics. You may need to adjust dashboards to incorporate the new signals, particularly for video origin and app asset combinations.
Q: How can I access AppTopCombinationView? A: AppTopCombinationView is a read-only resource designed to surface top-performing asset mixes in App campaigns. You’ll query it through the updated API endpoints and incorporate the results into your asset optimization workflows.
Q: Is there deprecation or breaking change I should expect? A: The release focuses on new capabilities and enhancements. There are no explicit mentions of deprecations in this iteration, but it’s prudent to review the official release notes and test in a staging environment before full deployment.
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