Google AdWords API program - July 1 to start charging?!?!?

What is this talk of charging for quotas?

[elf2588a]

As users of the API to build out adwords management software for our clients, as of yesterday we were alarmed to read this post about coming changes to the API program on the AdWords API blog, at [adwordsapi.blogspot.com...]

"... Effective July 1, 2006, the current free quota system will be replaced by a usage-based system. Under this new model, AdWords API token holders will be charged a nominal $0.25/1000 quota units consumed."

Scary stuff!

Without getting into the questions of "is this really still them 'doing no evil,'" (ha ha ha), how does everyone feel about this?

More specifically, I'm trying to get some light on this: What the heck is this "weasel language" - "Please note that certain developers, such as those who design proprietary applications to advertise their own businesses, may be exempt from a portion of these fees and terms." What does this mean? Is this for advertisers spending a gang of cash on Google AdWords? Or is it for the bigger developers of API-using programs, like bidmanagers such as Atlas, iProspect, Efficient Frontier, etc.?

Can't wait to hear the community's comments!

[Sujan]

I don't like the changes either and am seriously waiting for more information on the "weasel language" parts. It could be a complete desaster, or only a small change for developers. Don't know yet. But I have the bad feeling it's more of the first...

There's a quite active thread on the official Adwords API forum on Google Groups where the people from Adwords API will surely read your comment on all this stuff: [groups.google.com...]

- Sujan

[dave741]

This is just incredible - they preach relevancy, relevency. So, we invest our time and money into the tool based on their API to create very relevant Ads.

After we (and many athers) have the tool working, they say - OK boys, now you will pay for the quota.

And I am asking: Why do they make so many people angry? To get few dolars more? It is not enough we pay for clicks?

I am looking for the day when I will read in standard AdWords intarface message like:

Do you want to log into AdWords tomorrow? Let us charge you only 2 USD.

Let us also remind you, that you can use the monthly subscription and as a result you can manage your AdWords account one week for free!

[ddogg]

Most likely users creating tools for their own use will not be charged. People developing commercial applications will be charged. The worst part is where it says you have to FULLY implement the API. Every feature has to work on your application. This will take months and months of work for people who perhaps only wanted to create a simple bid manager app or keyword adder. Makes it so only big companies can create apps using the API. I'm hoping they will ease up on this as it will stifle innovation.