how to get an AdWords developer token

Question

i developed a SEO web application: it gets the SERP position for a list of keywords and calculates the visibility index of a site using many parameters. one of these parameters is the average local monthly searches from AdWords, so i'd like to use the AdWords API to get search volumes when i need it. my company has an MCC account, so i requested a developer token, explaining in depth how i will have used it, but the AdWords API Review team refused to give me the token:

As stated in the AdWords API terms and conditions, "The AdWords APIs are a feature of the Google AdWords program". However, your company does not appear to be using the AdWords APIs in connection with the Google AdWords program which we consider to be a violation of the API terms and conditions.

i'd like to know how other software houses, like Caphyon - Advanced Web Ranking, got their token. any help?

Answer 1

I Think what Google are saying is that if you're not a paying AdWords customer then you can't use the API. The Software house that you mentioned almost certainly have AdWords accounts. In short they're giving Google money.

Why not create an AdWords account and base your app on it?

Answer 2

How To Get A Google AdWords API Developer Token

To use AdWords API to obtain Search Volume statistics, you need to have AdWords API's "Standard Access" and must meet RMF requirements. Once you do, you can get a developer token to call the API with.

What Are RMF Requirements?

RMF requirements basically requires that your app allow users to manage their AdWords campaigns through it. Essentially, it requires that your app be geared towards contributing to AdWords's bottom line. To be approved, you need to submit documentation (possibly a wireframe of your app) to show how it allows your users to manage their AdWords campaigns.

A Much Easier Way, Use A Third-Party

If all you want is Search Volume statistics, there is a much easier way. You can simply get it from a third-party who can pull data from Google updated monthly such as GrepWords. This is where Moz gets their data (source: I spoke with their data guy). They also combine it with clickstream data to generate their search volume predictions which even rivals Google's own predictions.

Some Industry Tools And Their Data Sources

• SEMRush uses an algorithm to estimate their traffic (source: spoke with them at a conference in 2016).
• ahrefs uses a third party to get click stream data and pairs it with data from Google
• MOZ uses a third party to get their Google data and click stream data (source: spoke with team).
• KWFinder reports that their data is the same as Google Keyword Planner.
• Twinword Ideas actually gets their data directly from Google (source: I work there).