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Responsive Ad Image aspect ratios error (association type not valid)

dev-om 20 Reputation points
2025-10-27T12:47:03.3933333+00:00

Hi all :)

We are using the Microsoft Advertising API via the Java SDK.

Our goal is to upload a "responsive ad" (audience ad), sub type "native".

A code example for this process can be found here: https://github.com/BingAds/BingAds-Java-SDK/blob/main/examples/BingAdsDesktopApp/src/main/java/com/microsoft/bingads/examples/v13/ResponsiveAds.java

For the images, there are different possible aspect ratios. This is described here:

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/advertising/campaign-management-service/responsivead?view=bingads-13&tabs=json#audience-ad-images

We want to provide one image per aspect ratio, to avoid automatic cropping.

Now the issue is: According to the documentation, there is an "Audience ads version 1" and "Audience ads version 2" and they have different sets of supported aspect ratios. In the Microsoft Ads UI , apparently it uses already version 2. I can see this when I create an ad there and it automatically crops to exactly the aspect ratios described in version 2 and also I see it here in this overview:image (9)

But when I use the API to upload an ad and I add an image asset using a subtype that is only in version 2 (e.g. "ImageMedia200X100"), the upload fails with the error:

image

When I use aspect ratio sub types from version 1, it seems to work. So that sounds like we are missing this "pilot feature flag" to use version 2 via API.

On the other hand, when I create an ad in the Microsoft web UI and I provide images with different aspect ratios, I can see afterwards that they are listed as "Original Image" and only the auto-cropped versions have the actual sub type like "Image media 2:1":

assets

And when I do the same via API, so using subtype "OriginalImage" for every image ratio I upload, the upload works fine.

So my question is: Is this intended API behaviour? Can I continue using subtype "OriginalImage" for every image I upload via API or does it cause any disadvantages?

Also then what's the purpose of offering the individual aspect ratio sub types in the first place?

If the answer is that we should not use "OriginalImage" and use the version 2 subtypes, what do we have to do to be whitelisted to use Audience ads version 2 via API?

Thanks a lot and best regards

Microsoft Advertising API
Microsoft Advertising API
A Microsoft API that provides programmatic access to Microsoft Advertising to manage large campaigns or to integrate your marketing with other in-house systems.
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  1. MS Advertising - Dagmara 395 Reputation points Microsoft External Staff Moderator
    2025-10-28T14:17:23.8+00:00

    Hi dev-om,

    Thank you for reaching out to the Microsoft Advertising Learn Q&A Platform!

    You're absolutely right in observing the difference between Audience Ads version 1 and version 2, especially regarding supported image aspect ratios. The Microsoft Ads UI currently uses version 2, which includes auto-cropping and a broader set of image subtypes.

    To address your questions:

    • Yes, using the "OriginalImage" subtype is currently the recommended approach for most advertisers via the API. It allows the system to auto-crop images to the required aspect ratios, similar to what you see in the UI. There are no known disadvantages to this method unless you require precise control over each cropped variant.
    • Purpose of individual aspect ratio subtypes  (e.g., ImageMedia200X100) are intended for advertisers who want to upload pre-cropped images for each required ratio - often for creative or branding reasons.

    In the meantime, continuing with "OriginalImage" is a safe and supported path.

    I hope the information provided here will at least partly answer your question. For us to make sure that we are able to address the issue, I'll be sending a private message on your inbox, please check your private message for further assistance.

    Our support teams are happy to discuss your account in more detail via phone, chat or email to provide review assistance, please see our support page to reach out!

    Kind regards, 

    Dagmara | Microsoft Advertising Support Specialist | 800-518-5689

    1 person found this answer helpful.

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