Create and manage targeting templates

Targeting templates let you create reusable sets of targeting criteria that can be easily applied across an advertiser for different line item types. This allows for faster creation and easier implementation of best practices and strategies.

On this page:

• About targeting templates
• Create a targeting template
• Apply a targeting template
• Update a targeting template
• Archive a targeting template

About targeting templates

Targeting templates streamline parameter application, removing the need for repetitive manual setup and reducing the chance of errors. After you set up a targeting template, you can quickly apply them across multiple line items at the same time. These templates can also help you scale best practices and optimization strategies across your campaigns.

Targeting templates can be found at the advertiser level in the left hand navigation of Display & Video 360.

Create a targeting template

Follow these steps to create a targeting template:

1. Open your advertiser in Display & Video 360.
2. In the left menu, click Targeting templates.
3. Click New.
4. Select an available line item type:
   • Display
   • Video
   • Audio
   • Connected TV
   • Demand Gen
   • YouTube & partners video
5. Name your targeting template.
6. Add a Description (optional). This helps users identify the right template.
7. Select Inventory source settings.
8. Set Targeting.
9. Click Create.

The targeting template will appear in the table, along with all other templates created within the same advertiser.

Create a targeting template from an existing line item

1. Open a line item in Display & Video 360.
2. Scroll to the “Targeting” section.
3. Select Save as Template. A new template uses the same name as the line item.
4. Select View new template to edit.

The template does not automatically apply to the original line item. Apply the template separately.

Configure targeting template settings

There are distinct configuration options for each line item type.

Display

Video

Audio

Connected TV

Demand Gen

YouTube & partners video

** Soon to be deprecated and moved to the ad group level

* Optimized targeting is available if audience targeting has been included in the template. When applying a template to a line item, optimized targeting might not be able to be applied due to insertion order settings. Learn more about Optimized targeting.

Apply a targeting template

Apply a template to a new line item

For quicker line item creation, utilize targeting templates.

1. In your Campaign or insertion order view, click New.
   • At the Campaign level, select line Item.
   • Then select the insertion order you want the line item to be created in.
2. Select the Line item Type.
3. Select a Template to apply by clicking Apply template.
   • To view more templates select View all (line item type) templates.
   • You'll only find templates that match the line item type you selected.
4. Make additional edits to the settings following the line item setup process.
5. Click Create.

Apply a template to an existing line item

To update the settings of existing line items by applying a template, follow the steps below:

1. Navigate to a line item
2. Click on its name to open the line item details.
3. At the top of the Line items details page, you can view if a template is applied or not.

If a template hasn’t been applied, follow the process below:

4. Click Select a (line item type) targeting template.
5. Click Apply next to the template you want to use.
6. Make additional edits to your settings by following the line item setup process.
7. Click Save.

If a template is already applied, you can continue with one of the following methods:

Apply a different template

4. Click to get a list of available templates.
5. Click Apply template next to the template you want to use.
6. Make additional edits to your settings by following the line item setup process.
7. Click Save.

Reapply the existing template

4. Click to get a list of available templates.
5. Click Reapply template under the template you’ve already applied.
6. Make additional edits to your settings by following the line item setup process.
7. Click Save.

Bulk apply a template to multiple line items

You can use bulk actions to apply the same template to multiple-line items.

1. Select the line items to update.
2. Select Action.
3. Under “Bulk apply” select Targeting template.
4. Select Apply next to the template and confirm.

Update a targeting template

You can edit saved templates by following the steps below:

1. Go to the advertiser associated with the template.
2. Select the targeting templates in the right navigation.
3. Enter the name of the template you want to edit.
4. Edit the settings.
5. Click Save.

You can also edit the template settings from the line item details view:

1. In a line item, click View next to the template. If already applied, select the name.
2. Click Edit targeting template at the top of the new page.
3. Edit the settings.
4. Click Save.

After template updates are saved, you can choose to apply them to new line items or all existing ones. Modifying existing items enables selective targeting replacement and resetting to the initial template configuration, which is helpful for modified line items.

How to handle line item changes with applied targeting templates

Template settings can be modified after application. To identify the applied template, check the line item details page. If targeting diverges from the template, a message will appear. Hover over this message to view the specific settings that differ from the template.

Archive a targeting template

Archiving unwanted targeting templates helps you streamline your list of active templates, making it easier to select current and relevant templates when creating or updating line items.

Archive a targeting template

1. Open your advertiser in Display & Video 360.
2. In the left menu, click Targeting templates.
3. Select the targeting template(s) you want to archive.
   • Note that you cannot archive more than 100 targeting templates at a time.
4. Click Archive, and confirm the action when prompted.

Important

• Once a template is archived, it cannot be unarchived.
• Archived templates cannot be associated with new line items.
• Existing line items using an archived template will be disassociated from it.
• You will no longer be able to access the archived template's details page or change history.