This article describes the ad identifier (ad ID), a part of the ad URL crucial for reporting ads or troubleshooting ad delivery issues within the Google ecosystem. It provides step-by-step instructions for capturing this ad ID from various ad formats, including YouTube, Google Search, and display ads, by accessing the "My Ad Center" or "Report ad" troubleshooter without completing the final submission.
On this page:
Sometimes referred to as a click string or click tag, the ad identifier (ad ID) is part of the ad URL. Ad identifiers contain encoded information for the ad that gets displayed.
This article provides instructions for capturing ad IDs for Google ads. These ad identifiers are helpful when either reporting ads or troubleshooting ad delivery issues.
Example
Ad URL:
https://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/aclk?sa=L&ai= DChcSEwj9_M74m_iKAxVBlVAGHRnOD4oYABAoGgJkZw
&ae=2&aspm=1&co=1&ase=5&gclid=Cj0KCQiA1p28BhCBARIsADP9HrNxjd3yB0U6SXVd5fc6Sks18pwE01naLm0698VnKyFLEiOqDgYM0yQaAg5HEALw_wcB&ohost=www.google.com&cid=CAESVuD2ql5-yku2lQmDUFUEnAJy-o-YhovOoOgAFgulJTogeWsKw2Yyz9klK_Rs7hfzd7zWzlVxciVlyBg0hIOBMPq8m1cmn_EPUsmszYt_oBYQ0y_vnWq5&sig=AOD64_0v0XRcn_H3VeFPi12wsNvOElAjsw&ctype=5&q=&ved=2ahUKEwitv8r4m_iKAxW8X0EAHeenLwwQwg8oAXoECAgQCw&adurl=
Highlighted is the ad ID.
Capture the ad or listing link from a Google ad
For the purposes of troubleshooting ad delivery issues for Google ads, you can copy the ad or listing link. To do this, you need to open your “About this ad” or "My Ad Center" from where the ad appears and begin the process to report an ad.
Ad IDs help you to report ads or troubleshoot ad delivery issues. However, It's important to note that you should not follow the steps to report the ad. These steps allow you to reveal the ad ID only.
For YouTube
- Click the
or the
button shown at the bottom of the ad to open the "My Ad Center" panel.
- In the "My Ad Center" panel, click
Report ad to open the "Report an ad" troubleshooter.
- In the "Report an ad" troubleshooter, click Something else.
- Locate the Ad ID and click Copy Ad ID.
For ads on Google Search, Play Store or Discover
- Click the more information
- In the "My Ad Center" panel, click
- In the "Report an ad" troubleshooter, click Something else.
- Locate the Ad ID and click Copy Ad ID.
For display ads (on sites and apps that partner with Google)
- On the ad, click the AdChoices icon then Why this ad? and then Report ad.
- In the "Report an ad" troubleshooter, select It violates Google policies...
- Copy all of the text shown in the "Ad or listing link..." field.
