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      Ad Campaign Publishing Error - Invalid Custom Audience in Cloned Campaign (Properti)

      When trying to publish an ad campaign through Properti, you may encounter error messages. This typically happens when the Custom Audience selected in the campaign targeting is no longer available or is invalid in the Properti platform.

      Issue:

      When trying to publish an ad campaign through Properti, you may encounter the following error message:

      • "The specified targeting spec is not valid because: Invalid data for field flexible_spec."
      • "Invalid targeting spec: The specified targeting spec is not valid because: Invalid data for field custom_audiences."
      • "Invalid targeting spec: The specified targeting spec is not valid because: Custom Audiences with the ID ___ are invalid."

      This typically happens when the Custom Audience selected in the campaign targeting is no longer available or is invalid in the Properti platform.

      Cause:

      This issue often arises due to the following reasons:

      1. The Custom Audience no longer exists in the Properti workspace. If a Custom Audience was deleted or removed, it will cause the error when you attempt to use it in a campaign.
      2. Cloning a campaign that previously contained an invalid or outdated Custom Audience. If the original campaign’s Custom Audience is no longer available, it can persist in the cloned campaign and trigger the error.
      3. Improper audience selection or errors in the Customer List data upload, which can cause invalid Custom Audience errors.

      Steps to Resolve the Issue:

      1. Check if the Custom Audience Exists in the Properti Workspace:
        • Navigate to the Workspace > Audiences section in your Properti account.
        • Verify if the Custom Audience listed in the error message still exists. If it is missing or invalid, this is the root cause of the error.
        • If the audience is no longer available, you will need to recreate it or upload a new Customer List to form a new Custom Audience.
      2. Avoid Cloning Campaigns with outdated or invalid Custom Audiences:
        • If the campaign is a clone of a previous one, the Custom Audience from the original campaign may still be in the cloned version, even if the audience is no longer valid.
        • Recommendation: When cloning a campaign, always verify that the Custom Audience and other targeting settings (e.g., locations, interests) are still valid before proceeding with the campaign launch. If necessary, clear the existing selections and reselect valid targeting options.
      3. Clear and Reselect the Custom Audience:
        • If a Custom Audience that is no longer valid is selected in the campaign, clear the audience selection.
        • After clearing, you can either:
          • Reselect a valid Custom Audience from your available list, or
          • Create a new Custom Audience by uploading a fresh Customer List or creating a new audience based on other available data.
      4. Re-upload Customer Lists (if necessary):
        • If the Custom Audience was based on a Customer List that was uploaded into Properti, check to ensure that the list was correctly formatted and uploaded.
        • CSV Format: Ensure the Customer List is in CSV format with each contact having its own row and proper columns (e.g., Name, Email Address, Phone Number).
        • If the upload format was incorrect, the audience may have failed to save, and re-uploading a correctly formatted list can resolve the issue.
      5. Republish the Campaign:
        • After addressing the invalid or missing Custom Audience, try publishing the campaign again. Once the issue with the audience has been fixed, the campaign should be able to publish without errors.

      Additional Information:

      • Cloning Campaigns: When cloning campaigns in Properti, be cautious of carrying over invalid or outdated targeting options, including Custom Audiences. Always check the targeting settings in the cloned campaign before proceeding.
      • Custom Audience Management: Ensure that any Custom Audience you plan to use is active and available in your workspace. If the audience was deleted or made invalid for any reason, it will not work in your new campaign.

      Common Troubleshooting Questions:

      • Q: Why does the error appear after cloning a campaign?
        • A: Cloning a campaign transfers all targeting settings from the original campaign. If the Custom Audience used in the original campaign was deleted or invalid, it will persist in the cloned campaign and cause an error. Always verify that the audience still exists or is valid before cloning a campaign.
      • Q: How do I clear an invalid Custom Audience and reselect a valid one?
        • A: In the campaign targeting section, simply clear the current Custom Audience selection. Then, reselect a valid audience or create a new one using an updated Customer List.
      • Q: What happens if my Custom Audience was deleted?
        • A: If your Custom Audience has been deleted, it is necessary to create a new one. You can do this by either uploading a fresh Customer List or by defining a new audience that aligns with the requirements of your current campaign.

      Need More Help?

      If you continue to encounter issues after following these steps, please reach out to Properti Support. Our team is available to assist you in resolving any targeting or campaign publishing issues.