Data Transfer SA360 Custom Columns

[Shahzeb]

Hi there,

we are using data transfer to get marketing data from the SA360 data. There is a new version of SA360 and the older one was already deprecated on 01-06-2024. There is a documentation on how to create an SA360 data transfer (https://cloud.google.com/bigquery/docs/search-ads-transfer#setup-data-transfer). It is quite straight forward to create a data transfer without custom columns setup, but when we add custom columns setup then the data transfer is providing an unresolvable permission error. If we don't add custom columns setup then everything is working without any issues with the same credentials and setup.

It would be great if you can provide some more information on how to resolve the issue then that will be highly appreciated. THanks!

Best regards,

Shahzeb

[Snoshone07]

Hi @Shahzeb the issue you’re experiencing with adding custom columns to your Search Ads 360 (SA360) data transfer likely stems from permission settings for your service account. Let me walk you through the details:

1. Why the Permission Error Occurs

Standard vs Custom Setup:

• In a standard setup (without custom columns), the data transfer relies on default API permissions, which are generally pre-configured for your service account.
• When custom columns are added, however, the transfer job may require additional permissions to access specific parts of your SA360 configuration, such as advertiser-defined metrics or dimensions.

Custom Columns and API Scopes:

• Custom columns often involve data not included in the default schema. Accessing this data may require explicit API scopes or additional user permissions in SA360.

2. Steps to Resolve the Issue

Step 1: Verify Service Account Permissions

Make sure the service account used for the data transfer job has the following roles in Google Cloud IAM:

• BigQuery Data Editor
• BigQuery Job User
• Search Ads 360 API User

Additionally, confirm that the service account has access to your SA360 account. You can do this in the SA360 interface by adding the service account email (e.g., bigquery-data-transfer@system.gserviceaccount.com) under account-level permissions.

Step 2: Review Custom Columns in SA360

Check if the custom columns you’ve added require special permissions or access. If these columns reference advertiser-specific configurations, you may need to adjust permissions at the advertiser level in SA360.

Step 3: Reconfigure the Data Transfer Job

If permissions are correct but the problem persists, try setting up a new data transfer job:

• Use the same credentials.
• Carefully define the custom columns during setup to ensure they are properly included.

3. Alternative Approaches for SA360 Data

If the issue continues, consider alternative solutions to streamline the process:

Windsor.ai offers a robust SA360 connector that allows you to fetch custom metrics and columns without needing to navigate complex permission configurations. This can be a quicker and more efficient option for resolving the issue.