Comparing the at.js library to the Web SDK

Overview

This article provides an overview of the differences between the at.js library and the Experience Plaform Web SDK.

Installing the libraries

Installing at.js

We allow our customers to download the library directly from Adobe Experience Cloud, Implementation tab. The at.js library is customized with settings that the customer has like: clientCode, imsOrgId, etc.

Installing the Web SDK

The prebuilt version is available on a CDN. You can reference the library on the CDN directly on your page, or download and host it on your own infrastructure. It is available in minified and unminified formats. The unminified version is helpful for debugging purposes.

URL structure: https://cdn1.adoberesources.net/alloy/[VERSION]/alloy.min.js OR alloy.js for the non-minified version.

For example:

Learn more

Configuring the libraries

Configuring at.js

At the end of every at.js file, you’ll find a section where we instantiate and pass a setting object. It is customizable, at download we populate that section with current customer settings.

window.adobe.target.init(window, document, {
  "clientCode": "demo",
  "imsOrgId": "",
  "serverDomain": "localhost:5000",
  "timeout": 2000,
  "globalMboxName": "target-global-mbox",
  "version": "2.0.0",
  "defaultContentHiddenStyle": "visibility: hidden;",
  "defaultContentVisibleStyle": "visibility: visible;",
  "bodyHiddenStyle": "body {opacity: 0 !important}",
  "bodyHidingEnabled": true,
  "deviceIdLifetime": 63244800000,
  "sessionIdLifetime": 1860000,
  "selectorsPollingTimeout": 5000,
  "visitorApiTimeout": 2000,
  "overrideMboxEdgeServer": false,
  "overrideMboxEdgeServerTimeout": 1860000,
  "optoutEnabled": false,
  "optinEnabled": false,
  "secureOnly": false,
  "supplementalDataIdParamTimeout": 30,
  "authoringScriptUrl": "//cdn.tt.omtrdc.net/cdn/target-vec.js",
  "urlSizeLimit": 2048,
  "endpoint": "/rest/v1/delivery",
  "pageLoadEnabled": true,
  "viewsEnabled": true,
  "analyticsLogging": "server_side",
  "serverState": {},
  "decisioningMethod": "server-side",
  "legacyBrowserSupport":  false
});

Learn more

Configuring the Web SDK

Configuration for the SDK is done with the configure command.

IMPORTANT
configure is always the first command called.

Example:

alloy("configure", {
  "edgeConfigId": "ebebf826-a01f-4458-8cec-ef61de241c93",
  "orgId":"ADB3LETTERSANDNUMBERS@AdobeOrg"
});

There are many options that can be set during configuration. All options can be found below, grouped by category.

Learn more

How to request and automatically render Page Load Target offers

Using at.js

Using at.js 2.x, if you enable the setting pageLoadEnabled, the library will trigger a call to Target Edge with execute -> pageLoad. If all the settings are set to the default values, no custom coding is necessary.Once at.js is added to the page and loaded by the browser, a Target Edge call will be executed.

Using Web SDK

Content created within Adobe Target’s Visual Experience Composer can be retrieved and rendered automatically by the SDK.

To request and automatically render Target offers, use the sendEvent command and set the renderDecisions option to true. Doing so forces the SDK to automatically render any personalized content that’s eligible for automatic rendering.

Example:

alloy("sendEvent", {
  "renderDecisions": true,
  "xdm": {
    "commerce": {
      "order": {
        "purchaseID": "a8g784hjq1mnp3",
        "purchaseOrderNumber": "VAU3123",
        "currencyCode": "USD",
        "priceTotal": 999.98
      }
    }
  }
});

Experience Platform Web SDK automatically sends a notification with the offers that were executed by the WEB SDK, this is an example of how a notification request payload looks like:

{
  "events": [{
      "xdm": {
        "_experience": {
          "decisioning": {
            "propositions": [
              {
                "id": "AT:eyJhY3Rpdml0eUlkIjoiMTI3MDE5IiwiZXhwZXJpZW5jZUlkIjoiMCJ9",
                "scope": "cart",
                "scopeDetails": {
                  "decisionProvider": "TGT",
                  "activity": {
                    "id": "127019"
                  },
                  "experience": {
                    "id": "0"
                  },
                  "strategies": [
                    {
                      "step": "entry",
                      "algorithmID": "0",
                      "trafficType": "0"
                    },
                    {
                      "step": "display",
                      "algorithmID": "0",
                      "trafficType": "0"
                    }
                  ],
                  "characteristics": {
                    "eventToken": "bKMxJ8dCR1XlPfDCx+2vSGqipfsIHvVzTQxHolz2IpSCnQ9Y9OaLL2gsdrWQTvE54PwSz67rmXWmSnkXpSSS2Q=="
                  }
                }
              }
            ]
          }
        },
        "eventType": "display",
        "web": {
          "webPageDetails": {
            "viewName": "cart",
            "URL": "https://alloyio.com/personalizationSpa/cart"
          },
          "webReferrer": {
            "URL": ""
          }
        },
        "device": {
          "screenHeight": 800,
          "screenWidth": 1280,
          "screenOrientation": "landscape"
        },
        "environment": {
          "type": "browser",
          "browserDetails": {
            "viewportWidth": 1280,
            "viewportHeight": 284
          }
        },
        "placeContext": {
          "localTime": "2021-12-10T15:50:34.467+02:00",
          "localTimezoneOffset": -120
        },
        "timestamp": "2021-12-10T13:50:34.467Z",
        "implementationDetails": {
          "name": "https://ns.adobe.com/experience/alloy",
          "version": "2.6.2",
          "environment": "browser"
        }
      }
    }
  ]
}

Learn more

How to request and NOT automatically render Page Load Target offers

Using at.js

There are two ways we could fire a call to Target Edge that will fetch offers for page-load.

Example 1:

adobe.target.getOffer({
   mbox: "target-global-mbox",
   success: console.log,
   error: console.error
});

Example 2:

adobe.target.getOffers({
    request: {
      execute: {
        pageLoad: {}
    }
  }
})
.then(console.log)
.catch(console.error);

Learn more

Using Web SDK

Execute a sendEvent command with a special scope under decisionScopes: __view__. We use this scope as a signal to fetch all the page-load activities from Target and prefetch all views. The Web SDK will also try to evaluate all the VEC view based activities. Disabling view prefetching is not currently supported in the Web SDK.

To access any personalization content, you may provide a callback function, which will be called after the SDK receives a successful response from the server. Your callback is provided a result object, which may contain propositions property containing any returned personalization content.

Example:

alloy("sendEvent", {
    xdm: {...},
    decisionScopes: ["__view__"]
  }).then(function(result) {
    if (result.propositions) {
      result.propositions.forEach(proposition => {
        proposition.items.forEach(item => {
          if (item.schema === HTML_SCHEMA) {
            // manually apply offer
            document.getElementById("form-based-offer-container").innerHTML =
              item.data.content;
            const executedPropositions = [
              {
                id: proposition.id,
                scope: proposition.scope,
                scopeDetails: proposition.scopeDetails
              }
            ];
          // manually send the display notification event, so that Target/Analytics impressions aare increased
            alloy("sendEvent",{
              "xdm": {
                "eventType": "decisioning.propositionDisplay",
                "_experience": {
                  "decisioning": {
                    "propositions": executedPropositions
                  }
                }
              }
            });
          }
        });
      });
    }
  });

Learn more

How to request specific Form Based Target mboxes

Using at.js

You can fetch Form Based Composer activities using the getOffer function:

Example 1:

adobe.target.getOffer({
   mbox: "hero-banner",
   success: console.log,
   error: console.error
});

Example 2:

adobe.target.getOffers({
    request: {
      execute: {
        mboxes: [
        {
          index: 0,
          name: "hero-banner"
        }]
    }
  }
})
.then(console.log)
.catch(console.error);

Learn more

Using Web SDK

You can fetch Form Based Composer based activities by using the sendEvent command and passing the mbox names under the decisionScopes option. The sendEvent command will return a promise that gets resolved with an object containing the requested activities / propositions:
This is how the propositions array looks like:

[
  {
    "id": "AT:eyJhY3Rpdml0eUlkIjoiNDM0Njg5IiwiZXhwZXJpZW5jZUlkIjoiMCJ9",
    "scope": "hero-banner",
    "scopeDetails": {
      "decisionProvider": "TGT",
      "activity": {
        "id": "434689"
      },
      "experience": {
        "id": "0"
      },
      "strategies": [
        {
          "algorithmID": "0",
          "trafficType": "0"
        }
      ],
      "characteristics": {
        "eventToken": "2lTS5KA6gj4JuSjOdhqUhGqipfsIHvVzTQxHolz2IpTMromRrB5ztP5VMxjHbs7c6qPG9UF4rvQTJZniWgqbOw=="
      }
    },
    "items": [
      {
        "id": "1184844",
        "schema": "https://ns.adobe.com/personalization/html-content-item",
        "meta": {
          "geo.state": "bucuresti",
          "activity.id": "434689",
          "experience.id": "0",
          "activity.name": "a4t test form based activity",
          "offer.id": "1184844",
          "profile.tntId": "04608610399599289452943468926942466370-pybgfJ"
        },
        "data": {
          "id": "1184844",
          "format": "text/html",
          "content": "<div> analytics impressions </div>"
        }
      }
    ]
  },
  {
    "id": "AT:eyJhY3Rpdml0eUlkIjoiNDM0Njg5IiwiZXhwZXJpZW5jZUlkIjoiMCJ9",
    "scope": "hero-banner",
    "scopeDetails": {
      "decisionProvider": "TGT",
      "activity": {
        "id": "434689"
      },
      "characteristics": {
        "eventToken": "E0gb6q1+WyFW3FMbbQJmrg=="
      }
    },
    "items": [
      {
        "id": "434689",
        "schema": "https://ns.adobe.com/personalization/measurement",
        "data": {
          "type": "click",
          "format": "application/vnd.adobe.target.metric"
        }
      }
    ]
  }
]

Example:

alloy("sendEvent", {
  xdm: { ...},
  decisionScopes: ["hero-banner"]
}).then(function (result) {
  var propositions = result.propositions;

  if (propositions) {
    // Find the discount proposition, if it exists.
    for (var i = 0; i < propositions.length; i++) {
      var proposition = propositions[i];
      for (var j = 0; j < proposition.items; j++) {
        var item = proposition.items[j];
        if (item.schema === HTML_SCHEMA) {
          // apply offer
          document.getElementById("form-based-offer-container").innerHTML =
            item.data.content;
          const executedPropositions = [
            {
              id: proposition.id,
              scope: proposition.scope,
              scopeDetails: proposition.scopeDetails
            }
          ];

          alloy("sendEvent", {
            "xdm": {
              "eventType": "decisioning.propositionDisplay",
              "_experience": {
                "decisioning": {
                  "propositions": executedPropositions
                }
              }
            }
          });
        }
      }
    }
  }
});

Learn more

How to apply the Target activities

Using at.js

You can apply the Target activities using the applyOffers function: adobe.target.applyOffer(options)

Example:

adobe.target.getOffers({...})
  .then(response => adobe.target.applyOffers({ response: response }))
  .then(() => console.log("Success"))
  .catch(error => console.log("Error", error));

Learn more about the applyOffers command from the dedicated documentation.

Using Web SDK

You can apply the Target activities using the applyPropositions command.

Example:

alloy("applyPropositions", {
    propositions: [...]
});

Learn more about the applyPropositions command from the dedicated documentation.

How to track events

Using at.js

You can track events by using the trackEvent function or using sendNotifications.

This function fires a request to report user actions, such as clicks and conversions. It does not deliver activities in the response.

Example 1

adobe.target.trackEvent({
    "type": "click",
    "mbox": "some-mbox"
});

Example 2

adobe.target.sendNotifications({
    request: {
       notifications: [{
          ...,
          mbox: {
            name: "some-mbox"
          },
          type: "click",
          ...
       }]
    }
});

Learn more

Using Web SDK

You can track events and user actions by calling the sendEvent command, populating the _experience.decisioning.propositions XDM fieldgroup, and setting the eventType to one of 2 values:

  • decisioning.propositionDisplay: Signals the rendering of the Target activity.
  • decisioning.propositionInteract: Signals a user interaction with the activity, like a mouse click.

The _experience.decisioning.propositions XDM fieldgroup is an array of objects. The properties of each object are derived from the result.propositions that gets returned in the sendEvent command: { id, scope, scopeDetails }

Example 1 - Track a decisioning.propositionDisplay event after rendering an activity

alloy("sendEvent", {
  xdm: {},
  decisionScopes: ['discount']
}).then(function(result) {
  var propositions = result.propositions;

  var discountProposition;
  if (propositions) {
    // Find the discount proposition, if it exists.
    for (var i = 0; i < propositions.length; i++) {
      var proposition = propositions[i];
      if (proposition.scope === "discount") {
        discountProposition = proposition;
        break;
      }
    }
  }

  if (discountProposition) {
    // Find the item from proposition that should be rendered.
    // Rather than assuming there a single item that has HTML
    // content, find the first item whose schema indicates
    // it contains HTML content.
    for (var j = 0; j < discountProposition.items.length; j++) {
      var discountPropositionItem = discountProposition.items[i];
      if (discountPropositionItem.schema === "https://ns.adobe.com/personalization/html-content-item") {
        var discountHtml = discountPropositionItem.data.content;
        // Render the content
        var dailySpecialElement = document.getElementById("daily-special");
        dailySpecialElement.innerHTML = discountHtml;

        // For this example, we assume there is only a single place to update in the HTML.
        break;
      }
    }
      // Send a "decisioning.propositionDisplay" event signaling that the proposition has been rendered.
    alloy("sendEvent", {
      xdm: {
        eventType: "decisioning.propositionDisplay",
        _experience: {
          decisioning: {
            propositions: [
              {
                id: discountProposition.id,
                scope: discountProposition.scope,
                scopeDetails: discountProposition.scopeDetails
              }
            ]
          }
        }
      }
    });
  }
});

Example 2 - Track a decisioning.propositionInteract event after a click metric occurs


alloy("sendEvent", {
  xdm: { ...},
  decisionScopes: ["hero-banner"]
}).then(function (result) {
  var propositions = result.propositions;

  if (propositions) {
    // Find the discount proposition, if it exists.
    for (var i = 0; i < propositions.length; i++) {
      var proposition = propositions[i];
      for (var j = 0; j < proposition.items.length; j++) {
        var item = proposition.items[j];

        if (item.schema === "https://ns.adobe.com/personalization/measurement") {
          // add metric to the DOM element
          const button = document.getElementById("form-based-click-metric");

          button.addEventListener("click", event => {
            const executedPropositions = [
              {
                id: proposition.id,
                scope: proposition.scope,
                scopeDetails: proposition.scopeDetails
              }
            ];
            // send the click track event
            alloy("sendEvent", {
              "xdm": {
                "eventType": "decisioning.propositionInteract",
                "_experience": {
                  "decisioning": {
                    "propositions": executedPropositions
                  }
                }
              }
            });
          });
        }
      }
    }
  }
});

Learn more

How to trigger a view change in a Single Page Application

Using at.js

Use the adobe.target.triggerView function. This function can be called whenever a new page is loaded or when a component on a page is re-rendered. adobe.target.triggerView() should be implemented for single page applications (SPAs) in order to use the Visual Experience Composer (VEC) to create A/B Tests and Experience Targeting (XT) activities. If adobe.target.triggerView() is not implemented on the site, the VEC cannot be utilized for SPA.

Example

adobe.target.triggerView("homeView")

Learn more

Using Web SDK

In order to trigger or signal a single page application View Change, set the web.webPageDetails.viewName property under the xdm option of the sendEvent command. The Web SDK will check the view cache, if there are offers for the viewName specified in sendEvent it will execute them and send a display notification event.

Example

alloy("sendEvent", {
  renderDecisions: true,
  xdm:{
    web:{
      webPageDetails:{
        viewName: "homeView"
      }
    }
  }
});

Learn more

How to leverage Response Tokens

Personalization content returned from Adobe Target includes response tokens, which are details about the activity, offer, experience, user profile, geo information, and more. These details can be shared with third-party tools or used for debugging. Response tokens can be configured in the Adobe Target user interface.

Using at.js

Use at.js custom events to listen for the Target response and read the response tokens.

Example

document.addEventListener(adobe.target.event.REQUEST_SUCCEEDED, function(e) {
  console.log("Request succeeded", e.detail);
});

Learn more

Using Web SDK

IMPORTANT
Ensure that you are using Platform Web SDK version 2.6.0 or later.

The Response Tokens are returned as part of the propositions that are exposed in the result of the sendEvent command. Each proposition contains an array of items, and each item will have a meta object populated with Response Tokens if they are enabled in the Target admin UI. Learn more

Example

alloy("sendEvent", {
    renderDecisions: true,
    xdm: {}
  }).then(function(result) {
    if (result.propositions) {
      // Format of result.propositions:
      /*
        [
            {
                "id": "",
                "scope": "",
                "items": [
                    {
                        "id": "",
                        "schema": "",
                        "data": {},
                        "meta": { // RESPONSE TOKENS
                            "activity.name": ...,
                            "offer.id": ...,
                            "profile.activeActivities": ...
                        }
                    }
                ],
                "scopeDetails": {}
                "renderAttempted": false
            }
        ]
      */
    }
  });

Learn more

How to manage flicker

Using at.js

Using at.js you can manage flicker by setting bodyHidingEnabled: true so that at.js is the one that would take care of
pre-hiding the personalized containers before it fetches and applies the DOM changes.
The page sections that contains personalized content can be pre-hidden by overriding at.js bodyHiddenStyle.
By default bodyHiddenStyle hides the whole HTML body.
Both settings can be overridden using window.targetGlobalSettings. window.targetGlobalSettings should be placed before loading at.js.

Using Web SDK

Using Web SDK the customer can set up their pre-hiding style in the configure command, like in the example bellow:

alloy("configure", {
  edgeConfigId: "configurationId",
  orgId: "orgId@AdobeOrg",
  debugEnabled: true,
  prehidingStyle: "body { opacity: 0 !important }"
});

When loading the Web SDK async we recommend that the following snippet is injected in the page before Web SDK is injected:

<script>
  !function(e,a,n,t){
  if (a) return;
  var i=e.head;if(i){
  var o=e.createElement("style");
  o.id="alloy-prehiding",o.innerText=n,i.appendChild(o),
  setTimeout(function(){o.parentNode&&o.parentNode.removeChild(o)},t)}}
  (document, document.location.href.indexOf("adobe_authoring_enabled") !== -1, "body { opacity: 0 !important }", 3000);
</script>

How is A4T being handled

Using at.js

There are 2 types of A4T logging that are supported using at.js:

  • Analytics Client Side Logging
  • Analytics Server Side Logging

Analytics Client Side Logging

Example 1: Using Target Global Setting

Analytics Client Side Logging can be enabled by setting analyticsLogging: client_side in the at.js settings or by overriding the window.targetglobalSettings object.
When this option is set up, the format of the payload that is returned looks like the following:

{
  "analytics": {
    "payload": {
      "pe": "tnt",
      "tnta": "167169:0:0|0|100,167169:0:0|2|100,167169:0:0|1|100"
    }
  }
}

The payload can then be forwarded to Analytics via the Data Insertion API.

Example 2: Configuring it in every getOffers function:

adobe.target.getOffers({
      request: {
        experienceCloud: {
          analytics: {
            logging: "client_side"
          }
        },
        prefetch: {
          mboxes: [{
            index: 0,
            name: "a1-serverside-xt"
          }]
        }
      }
    })
    .then(console.log)

This is how the response payload looks like:

{
  "prefetch": {
    "mboxes": [{
      "index": 0,
      "name": "a1-serverside-xt",
      "options": [{
        "content": "<img src=\"http://s7d2.scene7.com/is/image/TargetAdobeTargetMobile/L4242-xt-usa?tm=1490025518668&fit=constrain&hei=491&wid=980&fmt=png-alpha\"/>",
        "type": "html",
        "eventToken": "n/K05qdH0MxsiyH4gX05/2qipfsIHvVzTQxHolz2IpSCnQ9Y9OaLL2gsdrWQTvE54PwSz67rmXWmSnkXpSSS2Q==",
        "responseTokens": {
          "profile.memberlevel": "0",
          "geo.city": "bucharest",
          "activity.id": "167169",
          "experience.name": "USA Experience",
          "geo.country": "romania"
        }
      }],
      "analytics": {
        "payload": {
          "pe": "tnt",
          "tnta": "167169:0:0|0|100,167169:0:0|2|100,167169:0:0|1|100"
        }
      }
    }]
  }
}

The Analytics payload (tnta token) should be included in the Analytics hit using Data Insertion API.

Analytics Server Side Logging

Analytics Server Side Logging can be enabled by setting analyticsLogging: server_side in the at.js settings or by overriding the window.targetglobalSettings object.
Then the data flows as following:

Diagram showing the Analytics Server Side Logging workflow

Learn More

Using Web SDK

Web SDK also supports:

  • Analytics Client Side logging
  • Analytics Server Side logging

Analytics Client Side Logging

Analytics Client Side Logging is enabled when Adobe Analytics is disabled for that DataStream configuration.

Diagram showing the Analytics Client Side Logging workflow

The customer has access to the Analytics token (tnta) that needs to be shared with Analytics using Data Insertion API
in by chaining the sendEvent command and iterate through the resulting propositions array.

Example

alloy("sendEvent", {
    "renderDecisions": true,
    "xdm": {
      "web": {
        "webPageDetails": {
          "name": "Home Page"
        }
      }
    }
  }
).then(function (results) {
  var analyticsPayloads = new Set();
  for (var i = 0; i < results.propositions.length; i++) {
    var proposition = results.propositions[i];
    var renderAttempted = proposition.renderAttempted;

    if (renderAttempted === true) {
      var analyticsPayload = getAnalyticsPayload(proposition);
      if (analyticsPayload !== undefined) {
        analyticsPayloads.add(analyticsPayload);
      }
    }
  }
  var analyticsPayloadsToken = concatenateAnalyticsPayloads(analyticsPayloads);
  // send the page view Analytics hit with collected Analytics payload using Data Insertion API
});

Here is a diagram to show how data flows when Analytics Client Side is enabled:

Data flow diagram in Analytics Client Side logging

Analytics Server Side Logging

Analytics Server Side Logging is enabled when Analytics is enabled for that DataStream configuration.

Datastreams UI showing the Analytics settings.

When Server Side Analytics Logging is enabled the A4T payload that needs to be shared with Analytics so that the Analytics reporting show
correct impressions and conversions is shared at the Edge Network level, so that the customer doesn’t have to do any additional processing.

Here is how data flows into our systems when Server Side Analytics Logging is enabled:

Diagram showing the data flow in Server Side Analytics Logging

How to set Target Global Settings

Using at.js

You can override settings in the at.js library using window.targetGlobalSettings, rather than configuring the settings in the Target Standard/Premium UI or by using REST APIs.

The override should be defined before at.js is loaded or in Administration > Implementation > Edit at.js Settings > Code Settings > Library Header.

Example:

window.targetGlobalSettings = {
   timeout: 200, // using custom timeout
   visitorApiTimeout: 500, // using custom API timeout
   enabled: document.location.href.indexOf('https://www.adobe.com') >= 0 // enabled ONLY on adobe.com
};

Learn more

Using Web SDK

This feature is not supported in Web SDK.

How to update Target Profile attributes

Using at.js

Example 1

adobe.target.getOffer({
   mbox: "target-global-mbox",
   params: {
     "profile.name": "test",
     "profile.gender": "female"
   },
   success: console.log,
   error: console.error
});

Example 2

adobe.target.getOffers({
    request: {
      execute: {
        pageLoad: {
          profileParameters: {
            name: "test",
            gender: "female"
          }
        }
    }
  }
})
.then(console.log)
.catch(console.error);

Using Web SDK

To update a Target profile, use the sendEvent command and set the data.__adobe.target property, prefixing the key names using profile.

Example

alloy("sendEvent", {
  renderDecisions: true,
  data: {
    __adobe: {
      target: {
        "profile.gender": "female",
        "profile.age": 30
      }
    }
  }
});

How do I use Target Recommendations

Using at.js

Example 1

adobe.target.getOffer({
   mbox: "target-global-mbox",
   params: {
     "entity.name": "T-shirt",
     "entity.id": "1234"
   },
   success: console.log,
   error: console.error
});

Example 2

adobe.target.getOffers({
    request: {
      execute: {
        pageLoad: {
          parameters: {
            "entity.name": "T-shirt",
            "entity.id": "1234"
          }
        }
    }
  }
})
.then(console.log)
.catch(console.error);

Learn more

Using Web SDK

To send Recommendation data, use the sendEvent command and set the data.__adobe.target property, prefixing the key names using entity.

Example

alloy("sendEvent", {
  renderDecisions: true,
  data: {
    __adobe: {
      target: {
        "entity.name": "T-shirt",
        "entity.id": "1234"
      }
    }
  }
});

How do I use third party IDs

Using at.js

Using at.js there are multiple ways of sending mbox3rdPartyId, using getOffer or getOffers:

Example 1

adobe.target.getOffer({
  mbox:"test",
  params:{
    "mbox3rdPartyId": "1234"
  },
  success: console.log,
  error: console.error
});

Example 2

adobe.target.getOffers({
    request: {
      id:{
        thirdPartyId: "1234"
      },
      execute: {
        pageLoad: {}
    }
  }
})
.then(console.log)
.catch(console.error);

Or there is a way to set up the mbox3rdPartyId either in targetPageParams or targetPageParamsAll.
When setting it in targetPageParams, it will be sent in the requests for target-global-mbox also known as pag-lLoad.
The recommendation is to be set using targetPageParamsAll as it will be sent in every target request.
The advantage of using targetPageParamsAll is that you can define the mbox3rdPartyId on the page once and this will ensure that all the target requests have the right mbox3rdPartyId.

window.targetPageParamsAll = function() {
      return {
        "mbox3rdPartyId": "1234"
      };
    };
window.targetPageParams = function() {
  return {
    "mbox3rdPartyId": "1234"
  };
};

Learn more

Using Web SDK

Web SDK supports Target Third Party ID. However, it requires a few more steps. Before diving into the solution, we should talk a little bit about identityMap.
Identity Map allows the customers to send multiple identities. All the identities are namespaced. Each namespace can have one or more identities. A particular identity can be marked as primary.
With this knowledge in mind we can see what are the necessary steps to set up web sdk to use Target Third Party ID.

  1. Set up the namespace that will contain the Target Third Party ID in the datastream configuration page:

Datastreams UI showing the Target third party ID namespace field

  1. Send that identity namespace in every sendEvent command like this:
alloy("sendEvent", {
  "renderDecisions": true,
  "xdm": {
    "identityMap": {
      "TGT3PID": [
        {
          "id": "1234",
          "primary": true
        }
      ]
    }
  }
});

How do I set property tokens

Using at.js

Using at.js there are 2 ways of setting up the property tokens, either using targetPageParams or targetPageParamsAll. Using targetPageParams adds the property token to the target-global-mbox call, but using targetPageParamsAll adds the token to all the target calls:

Example 1

   window.targetPageParamsAll = function() {
      return {
        "at_property": "1234"
      };
    };

Example 2

window.targetPageParams = function() {
      return {
        "at_property": "1234"
      };
    };

Using Web SDK

Using Web SDK the customers are able to set up the property at a higher level, when setting up the datastream configuration, under Adobe Target namespace:
Datastreams UI showing the Adobe Target settings.
This means every Target call for that specific Data Stream configuration is going to contain that property token.

How do I prefetch mboxes

Using at.js

This functionality is available only in at.js 2.x. at.js 2.x has a new function named getOffers. getOffers allow customers to prefetch content for one or more mboxes. Here is an example:

adobe.target.getOffers({
    request: {
      prefetch: {
        mboxes: [{
          index: 0,
          name: "test-mbox",
          parameters: {
            ...
          },
          profileParameters: {
            ...
          }
        }]
    }
  }
})
.then(console.log)
.catch(console.error);

NOTE: It is highly advised to ensure that every mbox in the mboxes array has its own index. Usually the first mbox has index=0, the next one index=1, etc.

Using Web SDK

This functionality is currently not supported in Web SDK.

How do I debug my Target implementation

Using at.js

At.js exposes these debugging features:

  • Mbox Disable - disable Target from fetching and rendering to check if the page is broken without Target interactions
  • Mbox Debug - at.js logs every action
  • Target Trace - with a mbox trace token generated in Bullseye a trace object with details that participated in the decisioning process is available under window.___target_trace object

Note: All these debugging features are available with enhanced capabilities in Adobe Experience Platform Debugger

Using Web SDK

You have multiple debugging capabilities when using Web SDK:

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