More and more people are reaching out to Google to ask them what they are planning to do to help small and medium businesses and, finally, Google have answered!
To help small and medium-sized businesses stay in touch with their customers during this time, Google are giving their customers worldwide $340 million in ad credits which can be used towards future ad spend until the end of 2020 across the Ads platform. This offer is part of a larger commitment from Google themselves.
The Larger Movement
On March 27th 2020, the CEO of Google and Alphabet, Sundar Pichai, announced that Google had a new $800+ million to support SMEs, health organisations/governments and health workers all on the frontline of this global pandemic. Their commitment includes the $350 million in ad credits, but also:
- A $200 million investment fund that will support NGOs and financial institutions around the world to help provide small businesses with access to capital. This is in addition to the $15 million in cash grants Google.org is already providing to nonprofits to help bridge gaps for SMEs.
- A pool of $20 million in Google Cloud credits for academic institutions and researchers to leverage our computing capabilities and infrastructure as they study potential therapies and vaccines, track critical data and identify new ways for us to combat COVID-19.
- $250 million in ad grants to help the World Health Organisation and more than 100 government agencies globally provide critical information on how to prevent the spread of Coronavirus. Additionally, they’re providing $20 million in ad grants to community financial institutions and NGOs specifically to run public service announcements on relief funds and other resources.
- Direct financial support and expertise to help increase the production capacity for personal protective equipment and lifesaving medical devices. Google are working with their supplier and partner Magid Glove & Safety with the goal of ramping up production of 2-3 million face masks that will be provided to the CDC Foundation. Furthermore, employees from Alphabet (including Verily, Google and X) are bringing engineering, supply chain and healthcare expertise to facilitate increased production of ventilators, working with equipment manufacturers, distributors and the government in this effort.
Why are they offering ad credits?
Google states that “small and medium businesses are the backbone of our communities. They represent about 90% of all businesses and more than half of employment worldwide, according to the World Bank. The ad credit is our gesture to show support and solidarity with these businesses as they continue to engage with their customers.”
Who is eligible?
Small and medium-sized businesses globally who have been spending within a Google Ads account in 10 out of 12 months of 2019 and in January/February of 2020. Eligible customers are those who advertised directly with Google or through a partner and adhere to all of their advertising policies.
The credit amounts will vary from customer to customer based on their past Google Ad spend, and the country and currency where the business and account is set up.
How will the credit work and when will you get it?
The ad credit is for future ad spend and will not be applied to billed/invoiced past or current Google Ads spend. These ad credits will be applied across the platform including Search, Display (all campaign types) and YouTube.
The ad credits will begin rolling out in phases starting in late May. Over the following months, eligible customers will be notified and will see the ad credit applied in their Google Ads account.
How long are they valid for?
These ad credits can be used throughout the year but must be used by 31st December 2020. After this date, the ad credits expire and any unused portions will be removed from your Google Ads account.
Want to learn more about the ad credits and how to manage them? Call our PPC experts today!
