If you want to create a dynamic display ad, you need to upload a dynamic content feed to our platform. In this section of the Beginner’s Guide, we will cover all the basics of adding a feed, and why you need to connect it before you can start using dynamic elements in your display ads.
Supported dynamic advertising networks
Connecting elements to the dynamic feed is enabled by a so-called “supported dynamic advertising network”. There are several supported networks, each with its own set of rules. The networks we support, are:
Google Ads
Google Studio (i.e. Dynamic Ads for Google Display & Video 360)
Criteo
Adform
Adcombi
In Bannerwise, we use the same feed specifications as each network. What does this mean, specifically? That depends on the network itself. Below, we’ll take a closer look at two frequently used networks: Google Ads and Google Studio.
Google Ads
For Google Ads, there are 2 types of feeds used: CSV feeds and Google Merchant Center Feeds. Which feed you use, then depends on the business type you select for your feed.
The business type is used to determine the type of feed, custom parameters, and ad layouts you'll use in your ad.
The business types and corresponding feed types you can use in Bannerwise are:
Education (CSV)
Flights (CSV)
Hotels and rentals (CSV)
Jobs (CSV)
Local Deals (CSV)
Real estate (CSV)
Retail (Google Merchant Center)
Travel (CSV)
Custom (CSV)
As you may know, each business type has a list of required and optional attributes along with several other specifications. Required attributes, as the name implies, are required to be present in the feed in order to use it. Required attributes often include attributes such as product ID, item title, or name. To find more information about what attributes are required for your feed type, take a look at this overview provided by Google.
Optional attributes are not a requirement to use the feed. They give you the option to add additional information such as an item description or sales price. To learn more about the attributes you can use in your banner design, check the following articles covering supported attributes per feed type:
Google Studio
In order to start working with Google Studio feeds, you have to create a dynamic profile in Google Studio first. Without a dynamic profile, it’s not possible to use Google Studio feeds in Bannerwise. If you want to know more about feed specifications and requirements, please consult this resource by Google:
In addition to a dynamic profile, Bannerwise also requires a CSV feed to get started.
Criteo
For Criteo, only General/Retail business-type feeds are supported at the moment and, you can use either XML or CSV feed format. Check this resource to ensure your feed adheres to the requirements.
Adding a dynamic feed of choice
Now that your feed settings are up, it’s time to add a dynamic feed of your choice to Bannerwise. For this, you have to follow a few steps. For this, you have to go back to the “Hub” and click on "Configurations" and “Feeds” in the top right corner.
Click on the “Add feed” button.
From the dropdown menu, select the network of your choice and click on "Continue".
Each network will ask for different information. For Google Ads, for example, you have to select a business type and upload your CSV feed. For Google Ads Retail specifically, fill in your feed XML URL. Click on "Add feed" once all information is added.
Now, you have to start mapping your feed in Bannerwise. If you want to learn how this is done, continue reading.
To start, click on "Start mapping" in the following screen:
Mapping your feed in Bannerwise
To make your life easier while working with dynamic elements in Bannerwise, you have to map each feed attribute (i.e. column name) in your feed. Mapping your feed is the next step after adding or uploading your feed and is required to complete the add feed process.
By mapping your feed, you are connecting your feed attributes to the correct element types in Bannerwise. Each reference has to be labeled as an element type or marked as ‘Do not import’.
There are five element types: image, text, logo, button, and click area. Here’s an example: When you map the feed attribute ‘name’ as a text element, you will use Bannerwise text elements for this feed attribute.
Simply select an element or "Do not import" for each attribute in your feed and click on "Save" when you're finished.
💡 Good to know: When mapping your feed, please keep these rules in mind:
Mapping your elements as an image means that it will display the source of the image set in your feed.
Mapping your elements as a text or button will display it as text.
Click areas are used to make your ad clickable. Always map your destination URL as a click area.
Mapping an element incorrectly will require you to remap your feed. Check out the troubleshooting section of this guide for more information.
Elements that are not used for a visual representation like ID's or reporting labels do not need to be mapped.
Discover more
When you’ve added your feed to Bannerwise, it’s time to use your feed and create your first dynamic ad set. To learn more about this, read the next section of our Beginner’s Guide: Creating your first dynamic display ads.