The Google API allows software developers to integrate Google search into their applications. For WebPosition users, it provides an opportunity to query a separate Google API server rather than the normal Google.com server. WebPosition has built in support for the Google API as a courtesy to Google so that our users send fewer automated queries to Google.com. Note, however, that use of the Google API within WebPosition is optional. The WebPosition software has a built in "best practices" feature which inserts a short delay between automated queries. We created the "best practices" feature as a courtesy to search engines, and the delay itself is customizable. You can find this feature within any Reporter mission on tab 5 (Options) --> General Options.
WebPosition has built in support for the
Google SOAP Search API. Unfortunately, however,
Google stopped supporting the SOAP Search API as of December 5th, 2006. This means that Google will not be issuing any new SOAP Search API keys, but those with existing keys will not be affected.
As noted above, Google is no longer issuing any new SOAP Search API keys. If you do not already have a SOAP Search API key, then you will not be able to use the API feature in WebPosition.
According to Google, the SOAP Search API service is still functional even though they have stopped supporting the service. We have noticed, however, that the API service has become less reliable since the support stopped and you may see error messages like
SVR_ERR when running Reporter missions using the Google API. If this occurs, please note that this is a problem with Google's API server, and we have no control over such issues. If the errors persist, you can either try to run your mission again at a later time, or choose to disable use of the API. To turn off the API within WebPosition, open the Edit Menu, select Application Settings, and then the Google Settings tab. Uncheck the option to use the API feature there.
In this year's Marketing Excellence Awards hosted by
ClickZ, WebPosition was Nominated and Voted as the winner in the category of:
Best Optimization Product.
