Google AdWords Traffic Estimator Figures From The API Wrong?

May 16, 2008 - 7:51 am 1 by
Filed Under Google Ads

A Google Groups thread reports that the numbers reported from the traffic estimator tool within Google's AdWords API interface is reporting different numbers based on the IP calling the data.

The AdWords advertiser said that depending on which IP is requesting the traffic data, Google will show a different traffic estimation for the same keyword.

For example, if the AdWords advertiser wants to know how much traffic to expect for the keyword [car], if he/she uses the API to request the data, the data might be wrong. If the API is requesting the data from IP address xx.xx.xx.xxx, it might return one number. If the API is requesting the same data from IP address yy.yy.yy.yyy, it might return a different number.

Jeff Posnick from the AdWords API Team said he will investigate the issue:

Thanks for letting us know; our engineering team is currently investigating to see if there is anything that might have changed recently that could lead to varying results from the Traffic Estimator API calls. I'll update this thread with what I hear back.

I'll update you when I hear more information.

Forum discussion at Google Groups.

 

Popular Categories

The Pulse of the search community

Search Video Recaps

 
Video Details More Videos Subscribe to Videos

Most Recent Articles

Search Forum Recap

Daily Search Forum Recap: January 16, 2026

Jan 16, 2026 - 10:00 am
Google Updates

Google Search Ranking Volatility Hits January 15-16

Jan 16, 2026 - 8:41 am
Search Video Recaps

Search News Buzz Video Recap: Google Personal Intelligence, Universal Commerce Protocol, Apple Picks Gemini & Ongoing Search Volatility

Jan 16, 2026 - 8:01 am
Google Search Engine Optimization

Google To Prioritize Removing Prediction News Content From Search & News

Jan 16, 2026 - 7:55 am
Google Maps

Google AI Overview Local Pack Leading To Huge Drops In Visibility

Jan 16, 2026 - 7:51 am
Bing Ads

Microsoft Advertising Adds Share Of Voice Metrics, Asset Group-Level URL Options, Customer Acquisition Goals...

Jan 16, 2026 - 7:41 am
 
Previous Story: Daily Search Forum Recap: May 15, 2008