At the beginning of this year, Google has released a free beta version of an API (application program interface) that is meant to help AdWords advertisers better monitor and control their campaigns.

The API allows developers to create computer programs that interact directly with the AdWords server. In this way, advertisers can automate their ad campaigns.

And what kind of automation is now possible? Just about anything that computer software can control, such as disabling ads for the products that are being sold out. Google representatives were writing in the Google blog in late January that this is an open invitation from Google towards the users of its AdWords advertising program, "to explore new concepts (and then write great software) for managing Google AdWords advertising campaigns".

Overture Services has been offering similar facilities for some years now, for its advertising clients.