Use the Right Dimension

  • Dimensions ending in _ID provide a guaranteed unique ID for a value within that dimension, useful for ensuring uniqueness.

  • Dimensions ending in _CODE typically use a unique, language-independent code for values, useful for special handling when _ID dimensions aren't suitable.

  • Dimensions ending in _NAME display a human-readable name for values that can be translated based on the report request's locale.

Several dimensions include _ID, _CODE, and _NAME, such as AD_UNIT_ID, AD_PLACEMENT_CODE, or PLATFORM_TYPE_NAME. These all have slightly different meanings and uses, so it's important to be aware of them when selecting dimensions for your report.

_ID dimensions

Dimensions that end in _ID display a guaranteed unique ID for the value, within that dimension, which refers to a specific entity in an AdSense account.

If you need to ensure uniqueness in the dimension values, use an _ID dimension.

_CODE dimensions

Dimensions that end in _CODE normally use a unique, language-independent code for the value. There are, however, some exceptions where the value may only be unique to an account or ad client, if the value refers to an AdSense account entity.

If you need to do any sort of special handling of dimension values and can’t use an _ID dimension, use a _CODE dimension.

_NAME dimensions

Dimensions that end in _NAME display a human-readable name for the value. This name gets translated according to the locale in the report request, where appropriate. If the dimension refers to an entity in an AdSense account, it will use the user-defined name for that entity.

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