Using New Demographic Targeting? Don't use the Ad Preview and Diagnosis tool.

This one was interesting. We setup a new campaign for using the Adwords demographic targeting feature released early this year. The problem here was we weren't able to get the ads to show up on the Ad Preview and Diagnosis tool.

Totally stumped to why the Ad Preview tool wasn't working we contacted AdWords Support. Their first response was to raise the bid. 

Totally stumped to why the Ad Preview tool wasn't working we contacted AdWords Support. Their first response was to raise the bid. 

We knew that wasn't that answer to this problem.

We mentioned to them that our ad shows on a real Google search. The rep put us on hold and a few minutes later returned with the answer.

He told us that if you use the ad preview tool, you won't get accurate info with the new demographic targeting.

Moral of the story...If you're using demographics targeting don't plan on using Adwords diagnostic tool. Your ad might be running, but the ad preview tool is not advanced enough to display it.