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About IF functions

Customize your ads to show specific text based on what potential customers are searching for by using IF functions.

Customize your ads to show specific text based on what potential customers are searching for by using IF functions. IF functions are specific parameters that are used in responsive search ads for the search network; so, when a person is searching for something and the conditions are met, the parameter is replaced by the text you specify.

Below, you can learn how to add IF functions to your responsive search ad, how to create an IF function manually, and how to escape special characters with backslashes (\).

Note

You cannot create new expanded text ads with IF functions, but your existing expanded text ads with IF functions will continue to serve. For more information, see How to create or edit expanded text ads.

Why use IF functions?

  • Save time! IF functions reduce the need for you to create separate campaigns or ad groups for different devices and different audiences. You can customize a single responsive search ad with messages based on a customer's device or specific audience segment.
  • Send the right message at the right time to the right people. Your responsive search ad gets customized based on two targets: Device and audience.

Here are the supported targets for IF functions, with the syntax you'll need to enter directly in the ads field:

Target Value Syntax How it appears
Device Mobile {=IF (device = mobile, text to insert): default text} If the user is on a mobile device, the entire IF function is replaced with the value in “text to insert”. Otherwise, the “default text” that is provided will be used. Learn more about targeting.
Audience Any valid audience list name {=IF (audience IN (<audience list 1>, <audience list 2>), text to insert): default text} If the user is in audience list 1 or audience list 2, the IF function is replaced with the “text to insert”. Otherwise, the “default text” that is provided will be used. Learn more about audience options.

What you need to know

  • Audience names containing { } can't be used in an IF function.
  • Both device and audience cannot be referenced in one IF function syntax.

Add IF functions to your responsive search ad

IF functions are encased in brackets and inserted anywhere into a responsive search ad, except for the URL fields.

  1. From the collapsible menu on the left, select All campaigns > Ads & extensions > Ads.
  2. Select Create ad.
  3. Choose an ad by selecting Select an ad group from the Ad group dropdown menu.
  4. Under Ad type, select Responsive search ad.
  5. In the Headlines, Descriptions, or Display URL path fields, enter a left brace ( { ) where you want the IF function to appear.
  6. In the Title or Ad text fields, enter a left brace ( { ) where you want the IF function to appear.
  7. In the resulting dropdown menu, select IF function.
  8. If you want to target by Device (mobile only), enter the text you want to appear in the Then only field. You can also add text in Otherwise (optional) for text to appear if the end-user isn't on a mobile device.

    If you want to target by Audience, select Audience from the If dropdown menu, then select the audience list to target. We recommend that you add text in Otherwise (optional) for text to appear in case the end-user doesn't belong to any of the selected audience lists. This ensures that your ad always serves.

  9. Select Apply.
  10. Select Save.
Examples
Microsoft Advertising Bing Search
Headline 1: Contoso Shoes
Headline 2: Summer Sale Going On Now
Headline 3: Best Selections Available
Description: Check Out The Best Selection Of Shoes. {=IF (device = mobile,Free Delivery with Mobile Orders!): Free Delivery!}
Mobile

Mobile ad example with IF function


Desktop

Computer ad example with IF function

Headline 1: Contoso Jewelry
Headline 2: Find {=IF(audience in(/Apparel&Accessories), Best Selection Of Women’s Jewelry): Women’s Jewelry} Here
Headline 3: Best Prices Available
Description: Find The Perfect Piece Of Jewelry To Treat Yourself!
Audience = Apparal&Accessories

Audience ad example with IF function


Other audiences

Other audiences ad example with IF function

Create an IF function manually

You can create an IF function manually by typing directly in the Create ad input boxes, by using a bulk upload spreadsheet, or by using Microsoft Advertising Editor. To ensure that you enter it correctly, here's an example of the IF function's components:

{=IF (device = mobile,Free Delivery with Mobile Orders!): Free Delivery!}
Component What you need to know
{ ... } Mandatory. The entire IF function syntax must be within a pair of braces (also called curly brackets).
=IF Mandatory. This component needs to be met so that the text defined in the Then insert box can appear in your title, path, or ad text fields.
( ... ) Mandatory. The other components of the syntax must be within a pair of parentheses. Note: Individual components within the parentheses must be separated by commas.
"device" If the user is on a mobile device, the entire IF function is replaced with the value in “text to insert”. Otherwise, the “default text” that is provided will be used.
"Free Delivery with Mobile Orders!" If the user is on a mobile device, the entire IF function is replaced with the value in “text to insert”. Otherwise, the “default text” that is provided will be used.
"Free Delivery!" Optional: This is the text that will appear in your title, path, or ad text field if the IF function isn't met.
{=IF(audience in(/Apparel&AccessoriesAccessories), Best Selection Of Women’s Jewelry): Women’s Jewelry}
Component What you need to know
{ ... } Mandatory. The entire IF function syntax must be within a pair of braces (also called curly brackets).
=IF Mandatory. This component needs to be met so that the text defined in the Then insert box can appear in your title, path, or ad text fields.
( ... ) Mandatory. The other components of the syntax must be within a pair of parentheses. Note: Individual components within the parentheses must be separated by commas.
"audience in(/Apparel&AccessoriesAccessories)" If the user is on an audience list, the entire IF function is replaced with the value in “text to insert”. Otherwise, the “default text” that is provided will be used.
"Women's Jewelry" This is the text that will appear in your title, path, or ad text fields if the IF function conditions are met (must be within a pair of double quotation marks).
"Best Selection of Women's Jewelry" Optional: This is the text that will appear in your title, path, or ad text field if the IF function isn't met.

Escape special characters with backslashes (\)

Certain special characters used in an audience name or in the text field can break the syntax, so you'll want to use backslashes (\) to escape the special characters. Below are the rules if these characters are referenced in the IF function syntax.

Syntax field Characters to escape Example System will detect as
Audience name ) and , {=IF(audience IN (Audiencelist\)te\,st),Insert text):Default text } Audience name = Audiencelist)te,st
Insert text ) {=IF(audience IN (Audience list),Insert \)text):Default text } Insert text = Insert )text
Default text } {=IF(device = mobile, Insert Text):Default\}text} Default text = Default }text
All fields \ {=IF(audience IN (Audience\\list),Insert text):Default text } Audience name = Audience\list

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