2016 DFP Small Business releases archive

DFP Small Business

• DFP Query Tool:
  • Change to report duration options
    To promote better performance, we're streamlining reporting duration options. The "All available" selector is being removed and replaced with "Last 3 years" under the "Dynamic" date ranges.

  • New mobile reporting dimensions ^Beta
    To better align the Query Tool with how cross-platform and app-only mobile publishers think about their business, we added three new dimensions. The following dimensions appear under "Platform": "App names," "Devices," and "Inventory types." Note that the "Device category" and "Targeting" dimensions are also now under "Platform." Learn more

  • Reporting for AMP ^Beta
    You can now run reports broken out for Accelerated Mobile Pages (AMP). This allows you to compare the performance of your ads on Accelerated Mobile Pages to other mobile pages, helping you to optimize monetization for AMP. Separate rows for AMP can appear in your report when you select the new "Inventory types" dimension mentioned above. The majority of AMP data should appear in the "Mobile Optimized Web - AMP" row. Note that DFP reports on AMP data back to December 2.
• Filters for native
  To make it easier to find relevant native data, you can now use filters to search for native styles, native ad formats, and native creative sizes. You can also save the filters for reuse. To get started, click Filters above the table on the "Native styles" or "Creatives" page. Learn more
• Clickable headlines for native app install ads
  Newly created native styles for the app install ad format now feature clickable headlines. This change increases clickable space in the ads and improves their performance.
  • As the change affects the HTML default, existing native styles will not yet be updated to preserve rendering consistency. They will need to be manually migrated over by the publisher.
  • On January 26, 2017, all existing native app install ad implementations will be converted to the new headline format. To ensure consistent rendering, we recommend updating the CSS based on the new default app install template.

DFP Small Business

• Delivery Inspector for video (open beta)

  This feature validates video ad tags and simulates ad and ad rule requests while providing additional troubleshooting information. You can use Delivery Inspector for video to check if video ad tags have all the required parameters, see the request type of a video ad tag, test which ad rule is returning to an ad rule tag, and more. Learn more

• Deprecated standalone versions of the Google Mobile Ads SDK

  On October 17, we deprecated support for old standalone versions of the Google Mobile Ads (GMA) SDK, which were not supported by Google Play Services. Please upgrade to a GMA SDK that is supported by Google Play Services version 4.0 or higher. Otherwise, your ad serving may be affected. Learn more

• Billing tab reorganization

  The Billing tab interface has been updated for better usability. This is primarily a cosmetic change. Learn more

Training and Help Center updates

• New Troubleshooting section

  We added a Troubleshooting section to the Help Center, which includes a best practices article for delivery troubleshooting and a subsection for troubleshooting tools.

DFP Small Business

• Native app install ads on mobile web

  You can now traffic native app install ads on mobile web (they were previously available only on mobile apps). Simply target native styles with the “Native app install ad” format to ad units on mobile websites.

  As a reminder, if you’re setting up native ads for mobile, be sure to set up styles for both Native app install ads and Native content ads. This allows both formats to compete to maximize yield. Learn more

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• Limits dashboard

  The limits dashboard allows network administrators to view the system maximums and limits that apply to your network and whether you're close to reaching them.

DFP Small Business

• GPT Light passback tags

  GPT Light passback tags are optimized for speed, while retaining most features of Standard GPT passbacks: compact syntax, key-value targeting, click tracking, page URL overrides, and category exclusions. They use simpler, declarative syntax and typically have lower latency than Standard GPT passback tags, which may reduce discrepancies with third-party ad servers. Learn more about GPT Light passbacks.

  GPT Light passback tags support only one size per ad unit. For multi-size ad requests, consider using Standard GPT passback syntax instead. GPT Light should only be used for passback tags; for any other situations, use Standard Google Publisher Tags (GPT).

• Audience Explorer changed to 15-day lookback

  Audience Explorer previously showed statistics for audience segments based on the past 30 days of network activity. This has been changed to a 15-day lookback,,which provides a fresher view of audience segment performance. Learn more.

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• Ad Exchange in DoubleClick for Publishers

  Users with access to both Ad Exchange and DoubleClick for Publishers can now enjoy access to Ad Exchange product features in the DoubleClick for Publishers interface. This streamlines the user workflow and reduces the need to access separate products. The current Ad Exchange interface remains available and unchanged. Ad Exchange users who do not have access to DFP will not experience any change. Learn more

DFP Small Business

• See why line items didn’t deliver

  The “Non-delivery causes” tool provides detailed information on the delivery patterns of your line items for the past 7 days. It explains why a line item that was eligible for an ad request didn’t deliver. To access this tool, navigate to the line item in DFP and click the new Troubleshoot tab. This launch is the first of many you’ll see over the coming weeks to improve troubleshooting tools. Learn more

• Learn which ads did deliver and why (open beta for mobile web and desktop)
  While the feature above lists why your line items didn’t deliver, this new feature helps you troubleshoot ad delivery in the context of inventory. The details can answer which ads delivered on your page, why these ads delivered and not others, which line item would deliver if you were to request the ad slot again, and more. In DFP, from the Delivery tab, click Troubleshoot in the sidebar, and then enter a URL to troubleshoot. Note that this feature is currently in open beta, is available only for mobile web and desktop, and will be fully launched soon as part of the improved DFP troubleshooting tools. Learn more
• Mobile ad network creative type deprecation

  The Mobile ad network creative type allowed publishers to traffic ad network tags that were called server-side by DFP. However, with the widespread availability of Mediation, this creative type is now largely obsolete. As a result, the Mobile ad network creative type has been deprecated in DFP. All deprecated creatives will remain in DFP indefinitely for historical reporting purposes.

  If your network was using it, we recommend discussing your options with DFP support, such as re-trafficking with an alternative creative type.

• Code snippet deprecation for Ad Exchange line items

  The Ad Exchange "code snippet" text box in creative settings has been removed, as well as the "channels" and "Ad Exchange Tag ID" text boxes for Ad Exchange video line items, for publishers who aren't already using these fields. The code snippet was no longer needed, as you can now use Ad Exchanges rules to target DFP inventory (such as ad units, placements, and key-values) instead. This is part of an eventual deprecation of this field for all publishers. Learn best practices for trafficking Ad Exchange in DFP

• Admin tab reorganization

  The settings and features within the Admin tab will soon be reorganized for better usability. No setting or features will be removed as part of this change.

DFP Small Business

• Apple iOS 10 available for targeting
  In preparation for the public release of Apple iOS 10, you can now include "Apple iOS 10.0.x" in device targeting for line items or creatives.

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• Claim apps for targeting

  The My apps feature gives you the power to select a subset of apps in DFP, which you can then use for easier app targeting and reporting. Learn more

DFP Small Business

• Query Tool:
  • Change to report retention and duration options

    We've changed the duration for which completed reports are saved. Saved, scheduled reports are saved for 40 days. We've also improved the report duration selectors to make it easier to choose the range of data in queries and reports. Neither change impacts reportable data in DFP — you can still query up to 3 years' worth of data.

  • Query prediction estimate

    As you build a report, Query Tool now displays the estimated time expected to generate your report.

• DFP Roles: advanced tab control

  Administrators can now hide tabs from user roles in the “Access to DFP tabs” section of roles settings (applies to all tabs other than “Home”).

• Custom fields surfaced in line item delivery table

  You can now display line item custom fields in order line item listings by selecting Show in table when creating or editing them.

• Additional geo targeting locations

  We’ve added more than 3,000 locations — neighborhoods, boroughs, cities, municipalities, and provinces — to the DFP line item targeting widget.

DFP Small Business

• Query Tool: Delivery Indicator metric

  The Deliver Indicator metric is transitioning to become an attribute of the “Line Item” dimension. Soon, you’ll able to select the new "Delivery Indicator" attribute when you build reports.

  In early September 2016, the “Delivery Indicator” metric will be removed from the report builder screen. To select the attribute instead of the metric, you’re encouraged to update queries that use the “Delivery Indicator.” Once the metric is no longer supported, we’ll convert any remaining queries to use the Delivery Indicator attribute.

  This transition may cause the Delivery Indicator column to appear in a different position than where it previously appeared.

• IMA SDK support for preloaded video assets

  The IMA SDK for web (both HTML5 and Flash) now support preloading video ad assets in advance, resulting in an up to 95% reduction in user-visible latency for many ad breaks.

• Filter users by role

  You now filter user profiles by roles (including custom roles) on the Admin page.

• Kitty dashboard card

  Always have feline companions at your side by choosing the new Kitty card. Now back by popular demand from the days of DART.

DFP Small Business

• Update of mobile devices in targeting picker
  We are updating our offering for mobile device targeting to speed up the FE and improve usability. Old and unused devices that do receive immaterial traffic will be removed from the targeting picker, and new ones added. Please note that existing line items are not affected.

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• Easier HTML5 creative trafficking
  You can now upload HTML5 creatives as easily as other creatives in DFP - by using the new HTML5 creative type. You can select the HTML5 creative type when you add a creative and quickly upload HTML5 zip bundles or standalone HTML files. Learn more

DFP Small Business

• DFP UI language settings moving to Google Accounts
  Settings for the DFP user interface language are now tied to your Google Account instead of DFP. An override is available, which allows you to use different languages for your Google Account and your DFP account. Your current DFP language is honored.
• DFP Query Tool
  • Save your preferences
    A new feature lets you store your DFP reporting preferences. Preferences include the date range and the number of rows output per page. Learn more
  • Support for flat reports
    We’re adding an option to let you choose between hierarchical or flat reports. Previously, all reports were hierarchical. We're replacing the current toggle in the “Ad Unit” dimension with this new option. This doesn't affect reports built through the API. If you want each Ad Unit in the hierarchy to appear in its own column, select the hierarchical option. Learn more

DFP Small Business

• Change history update
  The second stage of the new change history rollout moves trafficking to the new change history panel and makes both roles and trafficking available in a new change history admin panel. Until the migration is complete, users need to use both admin panels to find all changes. Note that the rollout is spread out over multiple months, and that the legacy change history panel will be available for more than a year as a source for older changes. When the switch to the new change history is complete, the following objects will additionally have their own change history links: ad units, placements, labels, and contacts.
• Removal of lesser used mobile carriers from targeting picker
  We've updated our offering for mobile carrier targeting. Old and unused carriers that are not receiving traffic anymore have been removed from the targeting picker, and new ones added. Please note that existing line items have not changed.
• DFP API v201605
  Highlights from this API release include:
  • A new local time flag for sales reports.
  • A new workflow progress indicator for Sales manager proposals.
  Learn more on the Google Ads Developer Blog.

DFP Small Business

• Bulk uploading ad units
  "Target platform" and "Mobile platform" are no longer available as bulk upload criteria, as these criteria were already deprecated from inventory settings. Do not include these columns in your bulk upload files. Learn more.

DFP Small Business

• Change history update
  The second stage of the new change history rollout moves trafficking to the new change history panel and makes both roles and trafficking available in a new change history admin panel. Until the migration is complete, users need to use both admin panels to find all changes. Note that the rollout is spread out over multiple months, and that the legacy change history panel will be available for more than a year as a source for older changes.
• SafeFrame on by default for some creative types
  To provide better consumer protection, publisher control, rich interaction and viewability measurement, the "Serve into a SafeFrame" check box will be checked by default for all new third-party, custom, and user-defined creatives. This change doesn't affect existing creatives. Learn more about SafeFrame and its IAB standards.
• Location data for app ads
  If users grant your app location permissions, DFP now uses location data to help serve better targeted ads and improve monetization. To turn off this feature, visit the Network settings page under the Admin tab. Learn more

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• Native styles
  Natives styles give publishers the ability to execute native reservation campaigns across web and apps. DFP handles the rendering of your native ads based on native styles you specify within the product. This builds on our existing native offering for publisher-rendered native ads in apps. Learn more

DFP Small Business

• Improved forecasting UI
  We made several improvements to the layout and wording of the forecasting UI. When you check inventory for a new or existing line item, it’s now easier to analyze and understand the forecasting numbers. Improvements include:
  • Improved bar graph: We improved the visual design of the graph to make it easier to understand the different segments in the bar. Also, the bar now always appears for any type of forecast along with a summary headline above it.
  • Consolidated data: You can now expand and see the “Contending line item” details on the same page as the availability forecasting numbers. You no longer need to click to another page.
  • Improved wording: We updated the wording next to some of the forecasting numbers so it’s more clear what the numbers actually mean. We also changed when certain terms appear.
  Learn more about the improved bar graph and wording and how to use the improved forecasting UI.
• Change history update
  The second stage of the new change history rollout moves trafficking to the new change history panel. It makes new changes to both roles and trafficking available in a new change history admin panel. Until the migration is complete, users will need to use both admin panels to find all changes. Note that the legacy change history panel will be available for more than a year as a source for older changes.

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• DFP First Look
  Use First Look to maximize your yield by allowing preferred access to inventory for selected buyers in Ad Exchange. Learn more
  In the DFP Query Tool, you may notice fields with a dash ("-") value when reporting on First Look impressions. This means First Look doesn’t need a line item to deliver. These dashes are also exposed in the DFP API.

DFP Small Business

• Inventory
  "Target platform" is no longer in use and is being removed from the expanded ad unit view, and from ad unit bulk upload and bulk download tables. If you use bulk upload templates that include the "Target platform" column, please remove that column.

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• DFP Mediation for mobile apps
  Access mobile app demand from third-party ad networks while continuing to use DFP and Ad Exchange. Learn more

DFP Small Business

• DFP Dashboard includes new filters
  Ad unit, advertiser, and country name filters are available in the network snapshot card and leaderboard card.

• Dynamic allocation for sponsorships
  Dynamic allocation now supports standard and sponsorship line items; both types can compete with Ad Exchange and other lower-priority remnant line items while ensuring reservation delivery. Ad Exchange and other lower-priority line items still cannot compete when a 100% sponsorship line item is eligible, or when a combination of sponsorship line items at the same priority with goals that add up to greater than or equal to 100% are eligible.

DFP Small Business

• DFP Dashboard includes unfilled impressions
  Unfilled impressions are now available in the network snapshot card. If you haven’t yet added the network snapshot card, unfilled impressions will be included upon addition of the card. If you added the card before this release, you’ll need to remove then re-add the card to show unfilled impressions. Learn more

• Removed seldom-used creative types
  We removed the following seldom-used creative types: “Text ad”, “Flash expandable”, “Flash pushdown”, and “Text and image”. These creative types are still available as system-defined creative templates, so there’s no loss in functionality for publishers.
  The “Text and image” creative type correlates with the “Mobile application download” system-defined creative template. Existing creatives have automatically been converted to their identical template creative equivalents with no interruption to ad serving.

• DFP API v201602: Highlights from this API release include:
  • Support for Active View (vCPM)
  • Support for forecasting with alternative unit types
  • Availability of terms and conditions on proposals via API

  Learn more on the Google Ads Developer Blog.

• Changes to data protection report
  Creatives delivered via dynamic allocation are no longer scanned by DFP and so are not included in the data protection report.

• Changes to custom fields 
  Location and type can no longer be changed for a custom field after it has been saved. Learn more about custom fields. 

• Ads status dashboard
  We’ve released the Ads Status Dashboard, a new, publicly-accessible tool that enables you to learn about major outages or functionality concerns across DoubleClick products, including DoubleClick for Publishers, DoubleClick Ad Exchange and DoubleClick Sales Manager. 

• Language deprecation
  Starting February 15th, 2016, Finnish and Croatian are no longer supported in the user interface or Help Center. Both languages have very low usage.

• DFP Targeting
  Postal code targeting is now available for France (FR), Germany (DE), India (IN), and the United Kingdom (GB).

• Change History update 
  We’re releasing a new, improved version of change history. This will be a gradual rollout, with new changes migrated to the new change history in groups. As a first step to this rollout, changes to Roles will be temporarily unavailable via the Admin page and instead should be viewed from the details page for a given Role. 

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Release notes card
You can now view DFP releases in the “Release notes” card of the DFP Dashboard. Learn more

DFP Small Business

• Guided help
  Over the next few weeks, you may notice a pop-up window appearing when you first visit the "Inventory" tab. We've added a guided help flow to help new users create ad units.

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More granular targeting within country geo

The following countries now provide more granular targeting: Estonia, Greece, Hong Kong, Latvia, Lithuania, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Ukraine.

DFP Small Business

Tagging

New GPT targeting macros
You can now insert one or both of these macros into your creative code:

• %%PATTERN:TARGETINGMAP%%: Expand the complete key-value string and dynamically create passback tags. This serves the same function as the %p macro in DART tags.
• %%ADUNIT%%: Insert the complete ad unit path into your creative code.

Learn more about these new macros.

DFP-to-DFP internal redirects
You can now traffic tags between two separate DFP networks by using internal redirects. Learn more.

Delivery

Change in how “Ready” line items are indicated in the user interface
Line items in the “Ready” state will now be displayed with a blue background to more easily distinguish them from line items that are in the “Paused” state.

Admin

Broader availability of filters
Filters are now available on the “Companies” section of the Admin tab, allowing you to quickly locate companies with certain characteristics. You can also save filters for reuse, a convenience for searches that you use often. Learn more about filters.