Data Keys (also known as Key-Value Pairs) allow you to leverage first-party audience segments without needing to sync your entire user base directly with AdButler. By utilizing Data Keys, you can efficiently pass segmented audience data in your ad requests, enabling precise and effective targeting.

Why Use Data Keys for Audience Targeting?

1. Enhanced Privacy and Compliance

By segmenting your users into audience buckets or groups prior to sending ad requests, you maintain control over user data. This minimizes the amount of sensitive user data shared externally, supporting privacy compliance initiatives such as GDPR and CCPA.

2. Performance and Efficiency

Passing only pre-segmented audience data reduces latency and improves the performance of ad requests. This means faster ad delivery and a better user experience on your site or app.

3. Streamlined Integration

Integrating Data Keys into your ad serving workflow is straightforward. There's no need for complex data syncing processes or maintaining audience databases within AdButler. Simply include the relevant Data Keys in your ad request calls.

4. Improved Targeting Flexibility

Using Data Keys gives you real-time targeting capabilities. Audience segments can be dynamically generated and immediately utilized, allowing you to quickly adapt your advertising strategy.

How to Use Data Keys for Audience Targeting

Follow these simple steps to get started:

Step 1: Define Your Audience Segments

First, clearly identify and define the audience segments you wish to target. Common examples include: - Premium vs. non-premium users - Logged-in vs. anonymous visitors - Frequent buyers vs. first-time visitors - Specific interests or behavior categories

Step 2: Create Data Keys

Create Data Keys to represent each audience segment clearly. For example: - user_type = string - logged_in = boolean - purchase_frequency = string - interest = list - age = integer

Step 3: Pass Data Keys with Ad Requests

Include these Data Keys in your ad requests.

When using our API, these parameters can be passed into POST requests as a JSON object, or passed into a GET request as query parameters.

"_abdk_json" : 
      {
        "user_type" : "premium",
        "logged_in" : "false",
        "purchase_frequency" : "weekly",
        "interests" : "beverages, drinks, soda, cola",
        "age" : 40,
      }

If using our JavaScript, you will pass these parameters into the options object of the ad request.

dataKeys: {'user_type' : 'premium', 'logged_in' : 'false', 'purchase_frequency' : 'weekly' }

Your ad tags will use these Data Keys to dynamically target the appropriate ad campaigns based on these segments.

Step 4: Set Up Data Key Targeting in AdButler

In AdButler:

1. Navigate to your Campaign or Ad-Item targeting settings.
2. Select Data Key Targeting.
3. Enter the Data Key and the corresponding value you wish to target. For example:
   • Data Key: user_type, Value: premium
4. Save your targeting rules.

Now, only ad requests containing matching Data Keys will serve ads from this campaign or banner.

Best Practices

• Clear Naming Conventions: Use clear and descriptive Data Key names and values for easier management and readability.
• Avoid Sensitive Information: Never pass personally identifiable or sensitive user information through Data Keys.
• Regular Review: Periodically review your Data Keys and audience segments to ensure they're aligned with your business objectives and audience behavior.

API Integration

For automated targeting setup, you can manage Data Key targets via the AdButler API. See our Data Key Targets API Endpoints guide for detailed instructions.

Related Articles

• What are Data Keys?
• Data Key Targets API Endpoints

For additional support, please contact our support team at support@adbutler.com.