Adding or Editing Objects via FTP

Bulk files, especially those with a large number of rows, can be uploaded via FTP, which can be useful for repetitive tasks such as keyword bid changes or monthly budget setting.

The easiest way to connect to the platform via FTP is to use an FTP program. There are many of these available to download online. One such example is Filezilla, a free, open-source FTP program available for Windows, Mac and Linux.

For more information on Filezilla and help on using the program, please feel free to read their Wiki article: https://wiki.filezilla-project.org/Using (external link).

How To Connect Via FTP 

Once you have an FTP program, open it up and enter the following credentials:

Server: ftp.marinsoftware.com
Username: Your platform username
Password: Your platform password

Transferring A File 

Once you have successfully connected, each client you have access to will be listed as a separate folder represented by their Tracker ID. Files should be transferred to the top level folder (not any of the sub-folders within each client folder) and will begin processing in the Activity Log of the client (normally within 30 seconds).

How To Know Which Folder Relates To Which Client

To determine the correct folder for each client, you can navigate to the Admin tab, click on the Clients & Users tab and the Clients sub-tab, where you will find each of your MarinOne client accounts listed, along with a Tracker ID column. The alphanumeric string in this column will line up with the FTP folder you will use for uploading files.

Supported File Types 

Files can be either tab or comma delimited and saved in either Unicode text (.txt) or .csv format. It's also possible to compress a large single file in .zip format to reduce file transfer time.

Please note that Excel corrupts non-standard / double-byte characters, e.g. ê, Ä, ß, á, Ñ, ®, あ, ル, ض, etc. when saving as CSV or Text (Tab delimited) format. However, saving as a Unicode Text in Excel will preserve all special characters in the bulk upload file.

File Column Layout Requirements 

The structure of the files should be the same format as when using the Bulk Tool in the platform.

The same logic also applies:

  1. Mandatory columns such as Account and Campaign columns are compulsory -- they cannot be removed.
  2. If you don't include certain optional columns when creating campaigns or groups, default values will be inserted instead. See Using Blank Rows, Blank Columns and Default Values in Bulk Sheets for more information.

File Name Requirements 

Files must begin with one of the prefixes listed below. FILENAME can be replaced with any text to make the file easily identifiable for you.ns_FILENAME.txt

Object Standard Held Auto
Campaign campaign_FILENAME.txt campaignHeld_FILENAME.txt campaignAuto_FILENAME.txt
Group group_FILENAME.txt groupHeld_FILENAME.txt groupAuto_FILENAME.txt
Keyword (in existing campaign & group) keyword_FILENAME.txt keywordHeld_FILENAME.txt keywordAuto_FILENAME.txt
Keyword (edit only) keywordEdit_FILENAME.txt keywordEditHeld_FILENAME.txt -
Keyword (in new or existing campaign)* -

bulkCreateCampaignsHeld_

FILENAME.txt

bulkCreateCampaigns_

FILENAME.txt

Negative Keyword negative_FILENAME.txt negativeHeld_FILENAME.txt -
Creative creative_FILENAME.txt creativeHeld_FILENAME.txt creativeAuto_FILENAME.txt
Placement placement_FILENAME.txt placementHeld_FILENAME.txt -
Google Product Group shopping_FILENAME.txt shoppingHeld_FILENAME.txt shoppingAuto_FILENAME.txt
Microsoft Product Target  shopping_FILENAME.txt  shoppingHeld_FILENAME.txt shoppingAuto_FILENAME.txt
Sitelink  sitelink_FILENAME.txt sitelinkHeld_FILENAME.txt -
Microsoft Sitelink  sitelinkMicrosoft_FILENAME.txt sitelinkMicrosoftHeld_FILENAME.txt -
Folder  folder_FILENAME.txt - -
Action by Dimension dimensions_FILENAME.txt dimensionsHeld_FILENAME.txt

dimensionsAuto_

FILENAME.txt

Location Targets

geoLocationTargetCampaigns_

FILENAME.txt

geoLocationTargetCampaignsHeld_

FILENAME.txt

-
Group Level Retargting 

groupRetargetList_

FILENAME.txt

groupRetargetListHeld_

FILNAME.txt

-

* Format should be a standard keyword bulk sheet

Note: For Channel Connect, please note that the directory of where the file should be dropped is essential. For example, each type of Channel Connect files i.e. Criteo , Gemini etc. will have their own FTP directory folders and the corresponding files need to go into the right folder to be imported correctly.

Note: Your file name should not reference another object level or feature other than what's listed before the underscore ('_'), as the platform will not ignore what comes after the underscore. For example, a file name of "campaignHeld_Auto assign values to dimensions" will result in the platform treating the file as an Actions By Dimensions upload, rather than a campaign upload. 

Notes On 'Post To Publisher' Status 

  • Standard files will appear in the Activity Log in To be sent status and will not be sent to the publisher until manually posted or during the nightly sync.
  • Held Activity Log items will not be sent to the publisher until manually posted.
  • Auto files will automatically post any changes to the publisher as soon as they are processed.

Written by Marketing @ Marin Software

Last published at: June 27th, 2023