The Google Ads API v23 introduces a highly requested feature: channel-level reporting for Performance Max campaigns, enhancing transparency and enabling more detailed optimization. This update allows developers and advertisers to access performance data segmented by specific channels such as Google Search, Search Partners, GMail, YouTube, Display, Discover, and Maps. Reporting is available at the campaign, asset group, and asset levels, providing insights into how individual creative assets perform across different channels.
Channel Breakdown Enhancements
Previously, the ad_network_type segment returned a generic MIXED value for Performance Max campaigns. With v23, the API now delivers specific channel breakdowns, marking a significant behavioral change. Developers upgrading to v23 must prepare their reporting systems to handle these new enum values instead of the generic MIXED.
Complementary Segments
This channel-level reporting works alongside segmentation fields introduced in v22:
ad_using_product_data: Differentiates ads using Merchant Center product feeds from those that do not.ad_using_video: Isolates performance data for ads including a video component.
Combining these segments with the new channel reporting enables highly granular insights, such as evaluating the conversion value of video ads on YouTube versus Display Network or analyzing Shopping ads on Search alongside Dynamic Remarketing on Display and video ads on YouTube.
Implementation and Important Notes
To utilize these features, updating client libraries to v23 is necessary. Technical documentation and example queries are available in the PMax reporting guides. Channel-level data will only be available for dates on or after June 1, 2025. While channel reporting is accessible at the campaign, asset group, and asset levels via the API, reporting at the asset group level is exclusive to the API and will not appear in the Google Ads web interface.
For further assistance, Google Ads API support and the “Google Advertising and Measurement Community” Discord server are available.
