Troubleshooting YouTube URL Issues in Google Ads API

Ever felt like you're solving a riddle when working with the Google Ads API? Picture this: you're all set to launch a killer Performance Max campaign. You're confident your setup is flawless. You hit the API, eagerly awaiting success, and then…

Boom! 💥 You’re greeted with:

{
  "errorCode": { "internalError": "INTERNAL_ERROR" },
  "message": "An internal error has occurred."
}

No helpful hints. No breadcrumbs to follow. Just a vague "internal error." 😡 If you’ve been there, you know the frustration is real.

But don’t worry—you’re not alone, and I’ve got your back. After some digging, I discovered that this cryptic error often stems from one sneaky culprit: an invalid YouTube URL. Yep, that’s right. A seemingly small mistake can bring your entire campaign launch to a screeching halt. In this blog, I’ll walk you through why this happens and, more importantly, how to fix it. Let’s get started! 🚀

The Problem: When URLs Go Rogue

The INTERNAL_ERROR is like a master of disguise—it doesn’t tell you that your YouTube URL is at fault. Instead, it leaves you guessing and pulling your hair out. Here’s what’s really going on:

If your YouTube URL is even slightly off—malformed, private, or restricted—the API throws a tantrum. Common URL issues include:

• Missing prefixes: Forgetting the "https://" or "www.youtube.com" prefix.

• Shortened links: Using a youtu.be link without verifying it’s accessible.

• Private or unlisted videos: Videos that are blocked from public use.

Example Scenarios

1. You copy a YouTube link from a browser but miss the https://.

2. You paste a shortened link (youtu.be/abc123) and forget to check its accessibility.

3. The video is set to private or unlisted, making it invisible to the API.

The result? The Google Ads API can’t process your request and retaliates with the dreaded INTERNAL_ERROR. 😖

🛠️ The Fix: Taming the INTERNAL_ERROR Beast

To stop this pesky error from haunting your campaigns, here’s your action plan:

1. Validate Your YouTube URLs

Think of this step as checking your boarding pass before a flight. Use a validation function to ensure your URLs are correctly formatted before sending them to the API. Here’s a handy snippet in JavaScript:

const isValidYouTubeURL = (url) => {
  const pattern = /^(https?:\/\/)?(www\.)?(youtube\.com|youtu\.be)\/(watch\?v=)?[\w-]{11}$/;
  return pattern.test(url);
};

Before submitting a URL to the API, pass it through this function:

if (!isValidYouTubeURL(url)) {
  console.error("Invalid YouTube URL: ", url);
  throw;
}

This simple step will catch most formatting errors before they cause trouble.

2. Verify Video Accessibility

Even if your URL is correctly formatted, the video itself needs to be:

• Public: Ensure it’s not private or restricted.

• Compliant: The content must adhere to Google Ads policies.

Pro Tip : Open the video in an incognito browser to simulate a public view. If you can’t see the video, neither can the API. 🕵️‍♂️

3. Log Like a Detective

Adding logs can help you pinpoint issues faster by capturing the exact URL being sent. For example:

console.log("Submitting YouTube URL: ", url);

If something breaks, you’ll have a clear trail to follow instead of fumbling in the dark. 🔦

Bonus: Automate URL Checks in Bulk

If you’re managing campaigns with multiple YouTube videos, manually validating each URL can be a chore. Automate the process by creating a bulk validation script:

const validateYouTubeURLs = (urls) => {
  return urls.map(url => ({
    url,
    isValid: isValidYouTubeURL(url)
  }));
};

const urlsToCheck = [
  "https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abc123",
  "youtu.be/invalid",
  "https://youtube.com/watch?v=1234567890a"
];

const results = validateYouTubeURLs(urlsToCheck);
console.log("Validation Results: ", results);

This approach saves time and ensures that all URLs are good to go before you hit the API. ✅

Why This Matters

A single invalid YouTube URL can derail your entire campaign launch. By validating URLs, checking accessibility, and logging everything, you can:

• Save hours of debugging time. 🕒

• Avoid unnecessary frustration. 😤This approach saves time and ensures that all URLs are good to go before you hit the API. ✅

• Ensure your campaigns launch smoothly and on schedule. 🚀

Closing Thoughts

Errors like INTERNAL_ERROR may seem cryptic, but they’re not unbeatable. With the steps above, you’ll have the tools to diagnose and fix these issues like a pro. 🛠️

Got another Google Ads API riddle that’s driving you nuts? Drop it in the comments, and I’ll help you crack the code. 💬

Stay tuned for more tips, tricks, and solutions in the Mastering Performance Max series. Together, we’ll tackle every roadblock and make launching campaigns feel effortless. 💪