Requesting ads

Banner x ads are generated on /bannerx endpoint. All banner x requests require the contentStandardId and the bannerSlotIds you are requesting ads for. In addition, your banner call should have the context's customerId,sessionId,placement, and catalogId.

When requesting banner x ads, you're able to specify the maximum number of banners you would like to receive per banner slot. You can control this with the maxNumberOfAds parameter.

Search placements

Search placements are typically the easiest to request. They require a searchTerm to be specified in the request, like the example below:

POST $BASE_URL/v1/ads/bannerx HTTP/1.1
accept: application/json
content-type: application/json
Authorization: Basic <API_KEY>
{
    "customerId": "wertg5432a",
    "sessionId": "ec9-4e07-881d-3e9", 
    "placement": "search",
    "catalogId": "628dbe95-2ec9-4e07-881d-3e9f92ab2e0b",
    "searchTerm": "chocolate",
    "options": {
   						 "filterMode": "AndOr"
 							 },
    "contentStandardId": "c61941e2-1435-460b-9d2b-5d838e3dba9c",
    "bannerSlotIds": [
    {
      "slotId": "<SLOT_ID>",
      "maxNumberOfAds": 1
    },
    {
      "slotId": "<SLOT_ID>",
      "maxNumberOfAds": 2
    }
  ]
}

Category placements

Category placements require productFilters to be specified in the request. The example below shows where you would send the category filters:

POST $BASE_URL/v1/ads/bannerx HTTP/1.1
accept: application/json
content-type: application/json
Authorization: Basic <API_KEY>
{
    "customerId": "wertg5432a",
    "sessionId": "ec9-4e07-881d-3e9", 
    "placement": "category",
    "catalogId": "628dbe95-2ec9-4e07-881d-3e9f92ab2e0b",
    "productFilters": [
     	 ["category:Cupboard/Snacks"]
    ],
    "options": {
   							 "filterMode": "AndOr"
 							 },
    "contentStandardId": "fec2ab89-7a29-42b5-b58a-5675688b52d9",
    "bannerSlotIds": [
    {
      "slotId": "<SLOT_ID>",
      "maxNumberOfAds": 1
    },
    {
      "slotId": "<SLOT_ID>",
      "maxNumberOfAds": 2
    }
}

As additional categories are perused, you should update your API call accordingly.

Cross-sell category placements

Cross-sell category placements have a very similar request to category placements. You will want to specify the exact category you are requesting ads for. This is typically the page you are on. Specify the category in the productFilters of the request. The example below shows where you would send the category filters:

POST $BASE_URL/v1/ads/generate HTTP/1.1
accept: application/json
content-type: application/json
Authorization: Basic <API_KEY>
{
    "customerId": "wertg5432a",
    "sessionId": "ec9-4e07-881d-3e9", 
    "placement": "category-cross-sell",
    "catalogId": "628dbe95-2ec9-4e07-881d-3e9f92ab2e0b",
    "productFilters": [
     	 ["category:Cupboard/Snacks"]
    ],
    "options": {
   							 "filterMode": "AndOr"
 							 },
    "contentStandardId": "fec2ab89-7a29-42b5-b58a-5675688b52d9",
    "bannerSlots": [
           {
      "slotId": "<SLOT_ID>",
      "maxNumberOfAds": 1
    },
    {
      "slotId": "<SLOT_ID>",
      "maxNumberOfAds": 2
    }
    ],            
    "maxNumberOfAds": 3
}

As additional categories are perused, you need to update your API call accordingly.

📘
Merging organic and cross-sell category targeting?
If you're looking to merge an organic and cross-sell category ad request into a single placement, you will need to implement merging and delivery logic to your customers. This is the integator's responsibility, though CitrusAd are happy to be consulted.
In general, we advise that you show organic category ads, and position and category cross-sell advertisements after the organic placements.

Broad match placements

Broad placements such as home or checkout pages do not require any productFilters to be specified in the request. Any filters the retailer would like to specify (on offer, new, etc) can be specified in the productFilters to ensure CitrusAd only serve ads within the requirements, like the example below:

POST $BASE_URL/v1/ads/bannerx HTTP/1.1
accept: application/json
content-type: application/json
Authorization: Basic <API_KEY>
{
    "customerId": "wertg5432a",
    "sessionId": "ec9-4e07-881d-3e9", 
    "placement": "home",
    "catalogId": "628dbe95-2ec9-4e07-881d-3e9f92ab2e0b",
    "productFilters": [
     	 []
    ],
    "options": {
   							 "filterMode": "AndOr"
 							 },
    "contentStandardId": "fec2ab89-7a29-42b5-b58a-5675688b52d9",
    "bannerSlotIds": [
    {
      "slotId": "<SLOT_ID>",
      "maxNumberOfAds": 1
    },
    {
      "slotId": "<SLOT_ID>",
      "maxNumberOfAds": 2
    }
}

Request enhancements

We advise you to consider the below enhancements to enhance your user experience.

Filtered searches

If your customer filters their search, you can extend your context to provide productFilters. Below is an example where the customer is filtering by the category "Cupboard" and the dietary restriction "Gluten-free". This same principle can be applied to any category or broad match placement.

POST $BASE_URL/v1/ads/bannerx HTTP/1.1
accept: application/json
content-type: application/json
Authorization: Basic <API_KEY>
{
    "customerId": "wertg5432a",
    "sessionId": "ec9-4e07-881d-3e9", 
    "placement": "search",
    "catalogId": "628dbe95-2ec9-4e07-881d-3e9f92ab2e0b",
    "searchTerm": "chocolate",
    "productFilters": [
     	 ["category:Cupboard"],["dietary:Gluten-free"]
    ],
    "options": {
   							 "filterMode": "AndOr"
 							 },
    "contentStandardId": "fec2ab89-7a29-42b5-b58a-5675688b52d9",
    "bannerSlotIds": [
    {
      "slotId": "<SLOT_ID>",
      "maxNumberOfAds": 1
    },
    {
      "slotId": "<SLOT_ID>",
      "maxNumberOfAds": 2
    }
}

Filtering by location

If you are synchronising location filters in your catalog, you can extend your context to provide the customer's store location in the productFilters, like the example below:

POST $BASE_URL/v1/ads/bannerx HTTP/1.1
accept: application/json
content-type: application/json
Authorization: Basic <API_KEY>
{
    "customerId": "wertg5432a",
    "sessionId": "ec9-4e07-881d-3e9", 
    "placement": "search",
    "catalogId": "628dbe95-2ec9-4e07-881d-3e9f92ab2e0b",
    "searchTerm": "chocolate",
    "productFilters": [
     	 ["category:Cupboard"],["dietary:Gluten-free"],["location:Westenbury"]
    ],
    "options": {
   							 "filterMode": "AndOr"
 							 },
    "contentStandardId": "fec2ab89-7a29-42b5-b58a-5675688b52d9",
    "bannerSlotIds": [
    {
      "slotId": "<SLOT_ID>",
      "maxNumberOfAds": 1
    },
    {
      "slotId": "<SLOT_ID>",
      "maxNumberOfAds": 2
    }
}

The banner x response

All responses follow the same JSON format. All content required to render the banner is provided in the response. If the banner does not have a component configured (such as no secondary hero image), CitrusAd will not serve the property.

{
    "ads": [
        {
            "contentStandardId": "c619d1e2-1435-460b-9d2b-5d838e3dba9c",
            "slotId": "<SLOT_ID>",
            "banners": [
                {
                    "citrusAdId": "shotgun__vW5pOojxDfN7T9VwaXWQLF2wKw3NzE0MTA3",
                    "citrusCampaignName": "CitrusAd-Example-Category-Banner-X-Ad-52793b405f1347b22e72a38c5a08699b",
                    "citrusContentStandardId": "c619d1e2-1435-460b-9d2b-5d838e3dba9c",
                    "citrusSlotId": "<SLOT_ID>",
                    "citrusExpiry": "2021-05-17T02:47:52.849995214Z",
                    "headingText": "Banner Advertisement for Magnum Double Ice Cream with a product image and shop now button",
                    "bannerText": "<strong>Magnum Double Ice Cream</strong>",
                    "bannerTextColour": "6e6c6c",
                    "ctaFlag": true,
                    "ctaText": "Shop now",
                    "ctaTextAccessibility": "for Magnum products",
                    "ctaLink": "https://www.tesco.com/groceries/en-GB/search?query=magnums",
                    "backgroundColour": "e1d6ac",
                    "heroImage": "https://cdn.flavedo.io/s/9b93e7f9-d747-4c8b-bcba-2357b280a3b3",
                    "heroImageAltText": "Magnums",
                    "tags": {},
                    "gtins": [
                        "7714107",
                        "7733636",
                        "7733657",
                        "7163379",
                        "7733628"
                    ],
                    "position": 1
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "contentStandardId": "c619d1e2-1435-460b-9d2b-5d838e3dba9c",
            "slotId": "<SLOT_ID>",
            "banners": [
                {
                    "citrusAdId": "shotgun_kZp9yTCMm71vTo7iyQaK9I_YB09FUFYzNzBTQ0FO",
                    "citrusCampaignName": "milo-campaign-lakjsdf09kj",
                    "citrusContentStandardId": "21r372ba-dce6-46f2-bd16-1b923b9189f9",
                    "citrusSlotId": "<SLOT_ID>",
                    "citrusExpiry": "2021-05-17T02:47:52.849995214Z",
                    "headingText": "A banner for Milo with a product image and a shop now button",
                    "bannerText": "<strong>Try Milo Cereal</strong>",
                    "bannerTextColour": "48a94c",
                    "heroImage": "https://assets.imageurl.io/s/85d2d333-eed5-44d7-b131-8851d59f0574",
                    "heroImageAltText": "Milo product image",
                    "ctaFlag": true,
                    "ctaText": "Shop now",
                    "ctaTextAccessibility": "for Milo products",
                    "ctaLink": "retailer.com/everything/search/heritage%20mill?pageNumber=1",
                    "secondaryHeroImage": "https://assets.imageurl.io/s/85d2d333-eed5-44d7-b131-8m435c34r",
                    "secondaryHeroImageAltText": "Milo Logo",
                    "secondaryHeroMode": "landscape",
                    "backgroundColour": "895b5b",
                    "backgroundImage": "https://assets.flavedo.io/s/9c6fa248-c5ff-4341-9833-7e2b08464ada",
                    "backgroundImagePosition": "FILL",
                    "secondaryBackgroundImage": "https://assets.flavedo.io/s/9c6fa248-c5ff-4341-9833-7e2b08464ada",
                    "tags": {},
                    "gtins": [
                         "16309011",
                         "57312011",
                         "65250011"
                                ],
                    "position": 1
                }
            ]
        }
    ]
}

The id field is your Ad ID used in impression and click reports. Please refer to the reference for more information on each string.

Third-party tracking tags

For banner x ads, CitrusAd supports the passing of third-party tracking tags to the retailer. These tags are used by advertisers to verify their performance by a trusted third party.

CitrusAd support the tracking tags below:

DoubleVerify (Javascript and Image)
DCM Click
DCM Impression
IAS
Adform Impression
Adform click

If a campaign has a tracking tag configured, it will present as the relevant field in the trackingTags object below. Please note, if a campaign does not have a tag configured, the tagsand trackingTags object will remain empty.

{
    "ads": [
        {
            "contentStandardId": "c619d1e2-1435-460b-9d2b-5d838e3dba9c",
            "slotId": "<SLOT_ID>",
            "banners": [
                {
                    "citrusAdId": "shotgun__vW5pOojxDfN7T9VwaXWQLF2wKw3NzE0MTA3",
                    "citrusCampaignName": "CitrusAd-Example-Category-Banner-X-Ad-52793b405f1347b22e72a38c5a08699b",
                    "citrusContentStandardId": "c619d1e2-1435-460b-9d2b-5d838e3dba9c",
                    "citrusSlotId": "<SLOT_ID>",
                    "citrusExpiry": "2021-05-17T02:47:52.849995214Z",
                    "headingText": "Banner Advertisement for Magnum Double Ice Cream with a product image and shop now button",
                    "bannerText": "<strong>Magnum Double Ice Cream</strong>",
                    "bannerTextColour": "6e6c6c",
                    "ctaFlag": true,
                    "ctaText": "Shop now",
                    "ctaTextAccessibility": "for Magnum products",
                    "ctaLink": "https://www.tesco.com/groceries/en-GB/search?query=magnums",
                    "backgroundColour": "e1d6ac",
                    "heroImage": "https://cdn.flavedo.io/s/9b93e7f9-d747-4c8b-bcba-2357b280a3b3",
                    "heroImageAltText": "Magnums",
                    "tags": {},
                  	"trackingTags": {
                        "ADFORM_CLICK": "https://track.adform.net...",
                        "ADFORM_IMPRESSION": "<img src=\"https://track.adform.net...",
                        "DCM_CLICK": "https://ad.doubleclick.net/ddm/trackclk/...",
                        "DCM_IMPRESSION": "<IMG SRC=\"https://ad.doubleclick.net/ddm/trackimp/...",
                        "DV": "<script src=\"https://cdn.doubleverify.com/dvtp_src.js?ctx=...",
                        "DV_IMAGE": "<img src=\"https://tps.doubleverify.com/visit.jpg?ctx=..."
                    },
                    "gtins": [
                        "7714107",
                        "7733636",
                        "7733657",
                        "7163379",
                        "7733628"
                    ],
                    "position": 1
                }
            ]
        }
    ]
}

As CitrusAd is a server-to-server integration, third-party tracking tags require additional development by the retailer. Contact your Technical Account Manager if you are looking to utilise this feature.

📘
tags object
For DoubleVerify (Javascript) and DCM tags, you may see the tags object populated as well. It is best practice to use the trackingTags response.

Marketplace sellerId

If onboarding marketplace sellers, you may see an additional sellerId per ad in the response. This will only appear if the team that owns the campaign being served has a seller ID configured in the UI. The example below shows one ad with a sellerId, one without.

{
    "ads": [
        {
            "contentStandardId": "c619d1e2-1435-460b-9d2b-5d838e3dba9c",
            "slotId": "<SLOT_ID>",
            "banners": [
                {
                    "citrusAdId": "shotgun__vW5pOojxDfN7T9VwaXWQLF2wKw3NzE0MTA3",
                    "citrusCampaignName": "CitrusAd-Example-Category-Banner-X-Ad-52793b405f1347b22e72a38c5a08699b",
                    "citrusContentStandardId": "c619d1e2-1435-460b-9d2b-5d838e3dba9c",
                    "citrusSlotId": "<SLOT_ID>",
                    "citrusExpiry": "2021-05-17T02:47:52.849995214Z",
                    "headingText": "Banner Advertisement for Magnum Double Ice Cream with a product image and shop now button",
                    "bannerText": "<strong>Magnum Double Ice Cream</strong>",
                    "bannerTextColour": "6e6c6c",
                    "ctaFlag": true,
                    "ctaText": "Shop now",
                    "ctaTextAccessibility": "for Magnum products",
                    "ctaLink": "https://www.tesco.com/groceries/en-GB/search?query=magnums",
                    "backgroundColour": "e1d6ac",
                    "heroImage": "https://cdn.flavedo.io/s/9b93e7f9-d747-4c8b-bcba-2357b280a3b3",
                    "heroImageAltText": "Magnums",
                    "tags": {},
                    "gtins": [
                        "7714107",
                        "7733636",
                        "7733657",
                        "7163379",
                        "7733628"
                    ],
                    "position": 1,
                    "sellerId": "1ben32-ss3d43-amea"
                }
            ]
        },
        {
            "contentStandardId": "c619d1e2-1435-460b-9d2b-5d838e3dba9c",
            "slotId": "<SLOT_ID>",
            "banners": [
                {
                    "citrusAdId": "shotgun_kZp9yTCMm71vTo7iyQaK9I_YB09FUFYzNzBTQ0FO",
                    "citrusCampaignName": "milo-campaign-lakjsdf09kj",
                    "citrusContentStandardId": "21r372ba-dce6-46f2-bd16-1b923b9189f9",
                    "citrusSlotId": "<SLOT_ID>",
                    "citrusExpiry": "2021-05-17T02:47:52.849995214Z",
                    "headingText": "A banner for Milo with a product image and a shop now button",
                    "bannerText": "<strong>Try Milo Cereal</strong>",
                    "bannerTextColour": "48a94c",
                    "heroImage": "https://assets.imageurl.io/s/85d2d333-eed5-44d7-b131-8851d59f0574",
                    "heroImageAltText": "Milo product image",
                    "ctaFlag": true,
                    "ctaText": "Shop now",
                    "ctaTextAccessibility": "for Milo products",
                    "ctaLink": "retailer.com/everything/search/heritage%20mill?pageNumber=1",
                    "secondaryHeroImage": "https://assets.imageurl.io/s/85d2d333-eed5-44d7-b131-8m435c34r",
                    "secondaryHeroImageAltText": "Milo Logo",
                    "secondaryHeroMode": "landscape",
                    "backgroundColour": "895b5b",
                    "backgroundImage": "https://assets.flavedo.io/s/9c6fa248-c5ff-4341-9833-7e2b08464ada",
                    "backgroundImagePosition": "FILL",
                    "secondaryBackgroundImage": "https://assets.flavedo.io/s/9c6fa248-c5ff-4341-9833-7e2b08464ada",
                    "tags": {},
                    "gtins": [
                         "16309011",
                         "57312011",
                         "65250011"
                                ],
                    "position": 1
                }
            ]
        }
    ]
}

Third-party tracking tags

📘
Coming in release 44
This capability is planned to be released in release 44.0. The tags array is already provided in the response.

CitrusAd supports the passing of third-party tracking tags to the retailer. These tags are used by advertisers to verify their performance by a trusted third party.

CitrusAd support the tracking tags below:

DoubleVerify
DCM Click
DCM Impression
IAS

If a campaign has a tracking tag configured, it will present as the relevant field in the tags object below. Please note, if a campaign does not have a tag configured, the tags object will remain empty.

{
    "ads": [],
    "banners": [
				{
            "id": "banner_XeemTeq59HapGSp4vccOYfBq_yvc3zMzNjM2",
            "contentStandardId": "fec2ab89-7a29-42b5-b58a-5675688b52d9",
            "slotId": "<SLOT_ID>",
            "imageUrl": "https://cdn.flavedo.io/s/-oW-C3cEViSSO2krWkwOBUXOhvUdhHOySx-YQLGZ1lA=",
            "linkUrl": "https://www.retailer.com/link",
            "altText": "Your local ice cream",
            "text": "",
            "gtins": [
                "7733628",
                "7714107",
                "7163379",
                "7733636",
                "7733657"
            ],
            "expiry": "2021-05-17T01:49:17.75503253Z",
            "tags": {
                "dv": "<script src=\"https://cdn.doubleverify.com/dvtp_src.js?ctx=919421&cmp=1074060503&sid=1073907024&plc=1075810393&adsrv=115&btreg=&btadsrv=&crt=&tagtype=&dvtagver=6.1.src\" type=\"text/javascript\"></script>",
                "dcmClick": "<script ..../>",
                "dcmImpression": "<script.... />",
                "ias": "<script.... />"            }
        }
				],
    "products": [],
     "memoryToken":"85ykKVv-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"
}

As CitrusAd is a server-to-server integration, third-party tracking tags require additional development by the retailer.

Requesting banner x ads

Requesting ads

Search placements

Category placements

Cross-sell category placements

📘
Merging organic and cross-sell category targeting?

Broad match placements

Request enhancements

Filtered searches

Filtering by location

The banner x response

Third-party tracking tags

📘
`tags` object

Marketplace sellerId

Third-party tracking tags

📘
Coming in release 44

Requesting ads

Search placements

Category placements

Cross-sell category placements

📘Merging organic and cross-sell category targeting?

Broad match placements

Request enhancements

Filtered searches

Filtering by location

The banner x response

Third-party tracking tags

📘tags object

Marketplace sellerId

Third-party tracking tags

📘Coming in release 44

📘
Merging organic and cross-sell category targeting?

📘
`tags` object

📘
Coming in release 44