Over the weekend, I heard some reports of issues with Google's keyword tool. I received a Twitter from @dalka, I spotted a Google Groups thread from the AdWords API forum and a Google AdWords Help forum thread with complaints.
They all surround the keyword tool, both via the API and via the external web based tool. Jeff Posnick from the AdWords API Team said:
Fresh search volume data is currently being pushed out and replicated globally, and the engineering team believes that the sporadic -1 results you were seeing is a side-effect of that process. Once it is complete there should be up to date data available globally. They mentioned that you should check again on Monday to confirm this.
AdWordsPro Stephen, an official Google representative said:
It sounds like the AdWords system is reacting to receiving many requests from you in a very short time. Using scripts or 'screenscrapers' to gather data from AdWords is a violation of the AdWords terms and conditions, and there are some automated monitors that enforce this.
There does seem to be minor issues with the tool, so be on the look out if you are using any of these tools today.
Forum discussion at Google Groups and Google AdWords Help.
