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While integrating Adobe Target with AEM, you can synchronize segments from Adobe Target to AEM. Basic configurations include:

• Enabling the project with the Adobe Target API in the Adobe Developer Console.
• Enabling the required workspaces and ensuring proper access for the API credentials via the Admin Console Product Profile (Workspace).
• Setting up the IMS configuration in AEM.
• Enabling the Adobe Target Cloud Configuration with segment syncing.

(I will be posting a detailed guide on the integration process soon.)

Issue: Segments Not Syncing

Unfortunately, even after completing all the steps, the segments were not syncing, and I encountered the following exception:

Resolution

To resolve this issue, ensure that the Day CQ Analytics Segment Importer configuration is enabled.

Additionally, segments will only sync from the Default Workspace at present. Ensure that segments are created under the Default Workspace. In my case, there were no segments under the Default Workspace, which caused the sync to fail.

You can also adjust the polling interval in the Adobe Target Cloud Configuration.

You can adjust the polling interval on Adobe Target Cloud Configuration

Successful Sync

Once I created segments in the Default Workspace, they were successfully synced to the AEM Audience Library. These segments can now be used for A/B testing or Experience Targeting for AEM pages using Adobe Target as the targeting engine.

11.10.2024 14:23:02.976 *INFO* [sling-cq-polling-importer-3-/conf/wknd/settings/cloudconfigs/target] com.day.cq.analytics.testandtarget.impl.SegmentImporter Importing in /etc/segmentation/adobe-target/tenant with dataSource /conf/wknd/settings/cloudconfigs/target

11.10.2024 14:23:02.978 *DEBUG* [sling-cq-polling-importer-3-/conf/wknd/settings/cloudconfigs/target] com.day.cq.analytics.testandtarget.impl.service.WebServiceImpl Target API Request: GET https://mc.adobe.io/tenant/target/audiences?offset=0&modifiedAt=2024-10-10%2F2024-10-12&limit=2000&type=reusable 

11.10.2024 14:23:03.517 *DEBUG* [sling-cq-polling-importer-3-/conf/wknd/settings/cloudconfigs/target] com.day.cq.analytics.testandtarget.impl.service.WebServiceImpl Target API Request: GET https://mc.adobe.io/tenant/target/audiences?deletedAt=2024-10-10%2F2024-10-12&offset=0&limit=2000&type=reusable&status=deleted 

11.10.2024 14:23:03.985 *INFO* [sling-cq-polling-importer-3-/conf/wknd/settings/cloudconfigs/target] com.day.cq.analytics.testandtarget.impl.SegmentImporter Wrote 4 segments under /etc/segmentation/adobe-target/tenant 

11.10.2024 14:55:59.150 *DEBUG* [[0:0:0:0:0:0:0:1] [1728676559144] POST /conf/wknd/settings/cloudconfigs/target/jcr:content.audienceupdate.json HTTP/1.1] com.day.cq.analytics.testandtarget.impl.service.WebServiceImpl Target API Request: POST https://mc.adobe.io/tenant/target/audiences?includeMarketingCloudMetadata=true {"name":"Windows","description":"--","targetRule":{"script":"return (((user.browser!=null) && (user.browser.indexOf(\"Windows\")>-1)));"},"type":"reusable","marketingCloudMetadata":{"sourceProductName":"Adobe Experience Manager","editURL":"http://localhost:4502/libs/cq/personalization/touch-ui/content/audiences.html"}}

The Start Targeting button is disabled when switching to Targeting Mode for pages in AEM.

The issue is that a Brand has not been created. To resolve this, simply create a Brand.

Navigate to Personalization --> Activities

Create a Brand

Now that the Brand is reflected in the Targeting Mode of the page, the Start Targeting button is still disabled. To enable it, create an Activity now.

Select the Targeting Mode: ContextHub or Adobe Target (Adobe Target license required). The Adobe Target option also allows you to enable A/B testing.

Now that the Start Targeting button is enabled, you can begin targeting the content for different experiences and configure other activity settings.

We encountered the following error while trying to export Experience Fragments from AEM to the Adobe Target Offer Library, despite completing all the integration steps:

Error:
Error Exporting to Adobe Target: Create offer request failed! API request failed.

09.10.2024 15:18:17.031 *WARN* [[0:0:0:0:0:0:0:1] [1728505097029] POST /libs/cq/experience-fragments/content/commons/targetexporter.html HTTP/1.1] org.apache.sling.engine.impl.request.RequestData RequestProgressTracker not found in request attributes

09.10.2024 15:18:17.035 *INFO* [[0:0:0:0:0:0:0:1] [1728505097029] POST /libs/cq/experience-fragments/content/commons/targetexporter.html HTTP/1.1] com.day.cq.wcm.core.impl.designer.SearchPathLimiter Search path limiter configured with searchPathLimiterFeatureToggleOn: true and searchPathThreshold: true. 

09.10.2024 15:18:17.121 *INFO* [[0:0:0:0:0:0:0:1] [1728505097029] POST /libs/cq/experience-fragments/content/commons/targetexporter.html HTTP/1.1] com.day.cq.analytics.testandtarget.impl.serializer.SaveOfferRequestRestAdapterFactory The Adobe Target offer does not contain JSON.

com.google.gson.JsonSyntaxException: com.google.gson.stream.MalformedJsonException: Use JsonReader.setLenient(true) to accept malformed JSON at line 1 column 12 path $

at com.google.gson.JsonParser.parseReader(JsonParser.java:66) [com.google.gson:2.8.9]

at com.google.gson.JsonParser.parseString(JsonParser.java:47) [com.google.gson:2.8.9]

at com.google.gson.JsonParser.parse(JsonParser.java:98) [com.google.gson:2.8.9]

09.10.2024 15:18:17.766 *ERROR* [[0:0:0:0:0:0:0:1] [1728505097029] POST /libs/cq/experience-fragments/content/commons/targetexporter.html HTTP/1.1] com.adobe.cq.xf.impl.adobetarget.exporter.AbstractExperienceFragmentExporter Create offer request failed!__API request failed

com.day.cq.analytics.testandtarget.TestandtargetException: Create offer request failed!

at com.day.cq.analytics.testandtarget.impl.RestApiAdapter.create(RestApiAdapter.java:122) [com.adobe.cq.cq-target-integration:1.4.56]

at com.day.cq.analytics.testandtarget.impl.RestApiAdapter.createOffer(RestApiAdapter.java:101) [com.adobe.cq.cq-target-integration:1.4.56]

at com.day.cq.analytics.testandtarget.impl.TestandtargetServiceImpl.createHTMLOffer(TestandtargetServiceImpl.java:65) [com.adobe.cq.cq-target-integration:1.4.56]

at com.day.cq.analytics.testandtarget.impl.TestandtargetCampaignMediatorImpl.syncOffer(TestandtargetCampaignMediatorImpl.java:539) 

Caused by: com.day.cq.analytics.testandtarget.impl.service.WebServiceException: API request failed

at com.day.cq.analytics.testandtarget.impl.service.WebServiceImpl.request(WebServiceImpl.java:646) [com.adobe.cq.cq-target-integration:1.4.56]

at com.day.cq.analytics.testandtarget.impl.service.WebServiceImpl.request(WebServiceImpl.java:600) [com.adobe.cq.cq-target-integration:1.4.56]

at com.day.cq.analytics.testandtarget.impl.service.WebServiceImpl.createOffer(WebServiceImpl.java:268) [com.adobe.cq.cq-target-integration:1.4.56]

at com.day.cq.analytics.testandtarget.impl.RestApiAdapter.create(RestApiAdapter.java:116) [com.adobe.cq.cq-target-integration:1.4.56]

... 193 common frames omitted

Caused by: com.day.cq.analytics.testandtarget.impl.service.WebServiceException: Unexpected response status code [403] for request [https://mc.adobe.io/tenant/target/offers/content?includeMarketingCloudMetadata=true]._{"httpStatus":403,"requestId":"sfdsffgsffsf","requestTime":"2024-10-09T20:18:17.696894302Z","errors":[{"errorCode":"Forbidden.Resource","message":"Access denied. To perform this operation, all of the following privileges are required \"[editor]\".","meta":{}}]}

The actual issue is that the API credentials enabled through the Developer Console project are set to Observer access by default for the selected workspace. However, to successfully export the offer into Adobe Target, a minimum of Editor or Approver access is required.

The issue can be resolved by changing the product role to Editor or Approver through the Admin Console for the corresponding Adobe Target Product Profile (Workspace).

Once the product role is updated to Editor or Approver in the Admin Console for the corresponding Adobe Target Product Profile (Workspace), the export will be successful.

You may encounter the following exception while enabling the integration between Adobe Target and AEM to share Experience Fragments (XF) and enable Targeting from AEM.

This error can occur even after completing all the steps, including creating a project in the Adobe Developer Console, adding the Adobe Target API with the required profiles, and establishing a successful connection in AEM IMS.

However, when testing the Adobe Target Cloud Services integration, the following exception is thrown:

08.10.2024 12:25:18.280 *ERROR* [[0:0:0:0:0:0:0:1] [1728408318089] POST /libs/cq/analytics/testandtarget/command HTTP/1.1] com.day.cq.analytics.testandtarget.impl.servlets.commands.ConnectCommand Get mboxes request failed!

com.day.cq.analytics.testandtarget.TestandtargetException: Get mboxes request failed!

at com.day.cq.analytics.testandtarget.impl.RestApiAdapter.listMboxes(RestApiAdapter.java:611) [com.adobe.cq.cq-target-integration:1.4.56]

at com.day.cq.analytics.testandtarget.impl.RestApiAdapter.checkCredentials(RestApiAdapter.java:88) [com.adobe.cq.cq-target-integration:1.4.56]

at com.day.cq.analytics.testandtarget.impl.TestandtargetServiceImpl.checkCredentials(TestandtargetServiceImpl.java:180) [com.adobe.cq.cq-target-integration:1.4.56]

at com.day.cq.analytics.testandtarget.impl.servlets.commands.ConnectCommand.performCommand(ConnectCommand.java:83) [com.adobe.cq.cq-target-integration:1.4.56]

at com.day.cq.analytics.testandtarget.impl.servlets.CommandServlet.performCommand(CommandServlet.java:69) [com.adobe.cq.cq-target-integration:1.4.56]

at com.day.cq.commons.servlets.AbstractCommandServlet.doPost(AbstractCommandServlet.java:49) [com.day.cq.cq-commons:5.12.24]

at org.apache.sling.api.servlets.SlingAllMethodsServlet.mayService(SlingAllMethodsServlet.java:146) [org.apache.sling.api:2.27.2]

at org.apache.sling.api.servlets.SlingSafeMethodsServlet.service(SlingSafeMethodsServlet.java:342) [org.apache.sling.api:2.27.2]

at org.apache.sling.api.servlets.SlingSafeMethodsServlet.service(SlingSafeMethodsServlet.java:374) [org.apache.sling.api:2.27.2]

at org.apache.sling.engine.impl.request.RequestData.service(RequestData.java:551) [org.apache.sling.engine:2.15.14]

Caused by: com.day.cq.analytics.testandtarget.impl.service.WebServiceException: API request failed

at com.day.cq.analytics.testandtarget.impl.service.WebServiceImpl.request(WebServiceImpl.java:646) [com.adobe.cq.cq-target-integration:1.4.56]

at com.day.cq.analytics.testandtarget.impl.service.WebServiceImpl.getMboxes(WebServiceImpl.java:413) [com.adobe.cq.cq-target-integration:1.4.56]

at com.day.cq.analytics.testandtarget.impl.RestApiAdapter.listMboxes(RestApiAdapter.java:600) [com.adobe.cq.cq-target-integration:1.4.56]

... 189 common frames omitted

Caused by: com.day.cq.analytics.testandtarget.impl.service.WebServiceException: Unexpected response status code [403] for request [https://mc.adobe.io/xxxxx/target/mboxes]._{"error_code":"502061","message":"Bad Gateway. No tenant associated with the user profile."}_

at com.day.cq.analytics.testandtarget.impl.service.WebServiceImpl.request(WebServiceImpl.java:643) [com.adobe.cq.cq-target-integration:1.4.56]

... 191 common frames omitted

The issue stems from the Adobe Target Tenant ID not being configured properly. (I will be creating a detailed blog on how to enable the required configurations for integrating AEM with Adobe Target.) It's important to note that the Adobe Target Client Code and Adobe Target Tenant ID are different. The Adobe Target Client Code can be retrieved from the Administration → Implementation section within Adobe Target.

Redirect management is a critical aspect of website maintenance, branding, and SEO strategy. Whether you’re redesigning your site, migrating to a new domain, or simply cleaning up outdated content, understanding how to manage redirects effectively can make a significant difference in user experience and search engine rankings.

What is a Redirect?

A redirect is a way to send both users and search engines from one URL to another. Redirects are essential when the original URL is no longer valid, and you want to ensure visitors land on the correct page without encountering a 404 error.

Types of Redirects

301 Redirect (Permanent):

• This is the most common type of redirect used when a page has permanently moved to a new location. A 301 redirect passes around 90–99% of the link equity (ranking power) to the redirected page.
• Use Case: Moving content to a new URL, migrating to a new domain, or consolidating multiple pages.

302 Redirect (Temporary):

• A 302 redirect temporarily sends users to a different URL while keeping the original URL indexed in search engines. This type of redirect doesn’t pass as much link equity as a 301 redirect.
• Use Case: Short-term content changes, such as promotions or seasonal offers.

307 Redirect (Temporary):

• Similar to a 302 redirect but adheres to HTTP/1.1 standards. A 307 redirect ensures that the method (GET or POST) remains unchanged.
• Use Case: Temporary redirects where method consistency is crucial.

Meta Refresh:

• Meta refreshes are a type of redirect executed at the page level rather than the server level. These are often slower and are not recommended for SEO purposes.
• Use Case: Rarely recommended, but sometimes used for page redirects after a specific time.

Vanity DNS Redirects and Vanity URL Redirects

In addition to standard page redirects, Vanity DNS and Vanity URL redirects play an important role in branding and user experience:

Vanity DNS Redirects:

• Vanity DNS redirects involve pointing a custom, branded domain (e.g., brand.com) to another domain or subdomain (e.g., offers.brand.com). This allows businesses to create memorable and easy-to-type URLs for specific campaigns or content.
• Use Case: Redirecting a short, branded domain to a longer URL for marketing campaigns, microsites, or landing pages.

Vanity URL Redirects:

• A vanity URL redirect involves creating a short, memorable URL that redirects to a longer or more complex URL. Vanity URLs are often used in marketing materials, social media, or offline advertising.
• Use Case: Creating easy-to-remember URLs like brand.com/sale that redirect to a more complex URL like brand.com/2024-summer-sale/landing-page.

Page-to-Page Redirects

Page-to-page redirects are among the most common types of redirects used on websites. These involve redirecting traffic from one specific page to another. Proper management of page-to-page redirects is crucial to ensure a seamless user experience and maintain the SEO value of your content.

Page-to-Page 301 Redirects:

• Use 301 redirects when you permanently move content from one page to another. This ensures that users and search engines are directed to the new page and that the original page’s SEO value is transferred.
• Use Case: Consolidating content, moving a blog post to a new URL, or redirecting outdated content to a more relevant page.

Page-to-Page 302 Redirects:

• For temporary changes, a 302 redirect can send users to a different page while keeping the original page’s URL indexed.
• Use Case: Temporarily redirecting users to a promotional page while the original content is updated or maintained.

Restrictions with Top Domain Redirects

When managing redirects, particularly with custom domains and top-level domains, it’s important to be aware of certain technical restrictions:

CNAME Record Limitations:

• Top-Level Domains: One significant restriction with top-level domain (TLD) redirects is that you cannot create a CNAME record for the root domain (e.g., example.com). DNS standards do not allow CNAME records at the root level because a CNAME is an alias and the root domain is expected to point to an IP address.
• Workaround: To redirect a root domain to another domain or subdomain, you often need to use an A record with an IP address or a URL redirect service provided by your DNS manager. Some DNS providers offer an “ALIAS” or “ANAME” record type, which can simulate the behavior of a CNAME at the root level, but this is not universally supported.

DNS Manager Restrictions:

• Not all DNS managers support complex redirect configurations directly through their interface. For instance, while some DNS providers allow you to set up URL redirects directly, others might require manual configuration through server-side scripts or third-party services.
• Solution: If your DNS manager does not support the necessary redirects, consider using a dedicated service like Cloudflare, which offers flexible redirect options, or configure redirects at the server level using .htaccess for Apache servers or similar configurations for Nginx.

Impact on SEO and Branding:

• Improperly configured top-level domain redirects can lead to SEO penalties or loss of branding impact. Always test your redirects thoroughly to ensure they are functioning as intended and that users are directed to the correct content.

Managing Redirects Through Various Methods

Redirects can be managed through different methods depending on your infrastructure and tools:

1. DNS Managers:

• Some DNS managers offer the ability to set up redirects directly. For example, services like Cloudflare provide built-in redirect rules that can be applied at the DNS level, eliminating the need for changes to your server configuration. However, it’s important to note that not all DNS managers support SSL certificates, which means you may only be able to enable HTTP redirects, rather than HTTPS.
• Use Case: Simple domain-level redirects or when you need to redirect traffic before it reaches your server.

Dedicated Tools (e.g., Easy Redirect):

• Dedicated tools like Easy Redirect or similar platforms allow you to manage redirects through a user-friendly interface. These tools often provide advanced features, such as bulk redirects, analytics, and integration with other services. Additionally, many of these tools automate the SSL management process, handling tasks like enabling SSL certificates and renewing them as part of the service.
• Use Case: When you need more control over your redirects, want to automate the SSL management process, and prefer a centralized platform for management, dedicated tools offer a comprehensive solution.

Web Servers:

• Redirects can also be configured directly on your web server. For instance, on an Apache server, redirects can be managed through the .htaccess file, while Nginx servers use the nginx.conf configuration file. SSL certificates must be managed separately through an external certificate provider, such as DigiCert or a free provider, depending on your security requirements.
• Use Case: When you require precise control over redirect rules or need to implement complex redirect logic.

Content Management Systems (CMS):

• Many CMS platforms, such as Adobe Experience Manager, WordPress, Joomla, and Drupal, offer built-in or plugin-based solutions for managing redirects. These tools are often easier to use and integrate seamlessly with your content management workflow. SSL certificates typically need to be managed separately through an external certificate provider, such as DigiCert or a free provider, depending on your security requirements. Some CMS systems even support self-service SSL management.
• Use Case: When managing redirects for specific pages or posts within a CMS environment.

Best Practices for Redirect Management

Plan Your Redirect Strategy:

• Before making any changes, map out all old URLs and their corresponding new URLs. This helps prevent broken links and ensures a smooth transition for both users and search engines.

Use the Correct Redirect Type:

• Always choose the right redirect type based on your situation. For permanent changes, use a 301 redirect; for temporary changes, use a 302 or 307 redirect.

Avoid Redirect Chains:

• Redirect chains occur when one URL redirects to another, which then redirects to another, and so on. These can slow down your website and dilute link equity. Always try to redirect directly to the final destination URL.

Monitor Vanity, Page-to-Page, and Top-Level Domain Redirects:

• Regularly check that all types of redirects, including those involving vanity URLs and top-level domains, are functioning correctly. Use tools like Google Search Console or Screaming Frog to identify and fix any issues.

Update Internal Links:

• After setting up redirects, update internal links to point directly to the new URLs. This reduces the reliance on redirects and improves site speed.

Communicate Changes to Stakeholders:

• Inform your team, especially those involved in marketing and content, about the changes. This ensures consistency across all platforms and prevents confusion.

Common Scenarios for Redirect Management

Website Redesigns:

• When redesigning your website, ensure that old URLs are properly redirected to the new URLs. This maintains the SEO value and ensures users find what they’re looking for.

Domain Migrations:

• If you’re moving to a new domain, 301 redirects are essential to pass the SEO value from the old domain to the new one. Make sure all old URLs have corresponding redirects.

Content Pruning:

• Removing outdated content can improve your site’s relevance. Redirect the old URLs to related content or a category page to preserve the SEO value.

HTTPS Migration:

• Moving from HTTP to HTTPS is crucial for security and SEO. Ensure that all HTTP URLs redirect to their HTTPS versions.

Marketing Campaigns with Vanity URLs:

• When running campaigns, use vanity URLs for easy promotion. Ensure these vanity URLs properly redirect to the intended landing pages.

Top-Level Domain Redirects:

• Ensure that your top-level domain (TLD) redirects are configured correctly, considering the limitations with CNAME records. Use A records or URL redirects if necessary and test to avoid any disruptions.

In my perspective, top-level domain redirects and vanity domain redirects should be managed through a separate platform. It’s advisable to use a SaaS-based platform, such as EasyRedirect, which seamlessly handles redirects and SSL management while supporting most redirect scenarios. This approach allows you to manage and monitor redirects through a centralized platform, independent of your web server or CMS systems. SaaS-based tools typically provide SSL certificates and management features, including auto-renewal through free SSL services, simplifying the process and reducing costs. Redirect management becomes easier and requires fewer resources since the redirects are managed through a simple user interface. While you could manage these redirects on your own server, such as Apache, the additional effort required to maintain the server, handle security redirects, and manage the SSL process can be significant.

Any redirects related to the website, such as page-to-page redirects, can be handled through the platform that hosts the website — whether it’s a custom solution, WordPress, Adobe Experience Manager, etc. Most of these platforms provide easy methods to manage redirects for individual pages.

Some companies have a large number of registered domains, many of which are used as vanity domains or are parked for future use, with only a limited number of DNS entries actively hosting websites. Additionally, some DNS managers may not support CNAME records for top-level domains. However, most DNS managers now support Alias records, which allow you to configure domain names for top-level domains. This approach helps to separate website management from vanity domain and top-level domain redirects, while also helping to reduce SSL costs, including management.

Conclusion

Redirect management is not just a technical task but a crucial element in maintaining a healthy website, effective branding, and a strong SEO strategy. By understanding the different types of redirects, including Vanity DNS, vanity URL redirects, page-to-page redirects, and top-level domain redirects, and by utilizing various tools such as DNS managers, dedicated redirect tools, web servers, and CMS systems, you can ensure a seamless experience for both users and search engines.

Regularly review and update your redirects to keep your site functioning optimally and avoid the pitfalls of broken links, misconfigured DNS records, and poor user experience.