COVID-19 Help: Google Offering $340 Million Ad Credits to SMBs

Due to the economic disruption caused by the COVID-19 outbreak, Google is offering $340 million in ad credits to small and medium-sized businesses that already advertise through the company. The ad credits can be used by businesses throughout 2020 across all Google Ads platforms. 

Here’s a deeper look at this offer and how Google is playing a role in helping businesses during the Coronavirus crisis. 

Helping SMBs through a Crisis

Small to medium businesses have been heavily impacted by Coronavirus and the economic shutdown across the world. Many states have enacted “stay-at-home” orders to prevent the spread of the virus which has forced many businesses to cut back on advertising and take a second look at their expenses.

The credits can be used across Google platforms such as Search, Display, and YouTube. Businesses must wait for further announcements as to when these ads can be placed, although Google has reported the credits should begin appearing in late May 2020.

The credits will be rolled out in a series of phases. Additionally, Google has set up a fund supporting non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and financial firms. Google has further set aside $15 million in cash grants to nonprofit organizations. 

A great deal of Google’s market is small to medium companies with fewer than 500 employees. In fact, besides word-of-mouth, SEO online PPC advertising has been vital to the success of 21^st-century startups.

Decisions on Eligibility

The decision on who qualifies as a small to medium business among advertisers will be based on a global Google team that consults the company on SMB needs.

Ad credits will be offered to each eligible account, including multiple accounts that converge into one manager account. Advertising partners may also be eligible for ad credits if they meet Google’s criteria. 

Google says that its ad credits during the pandemic are available to advertisers who have been active for the year leading up to the Coronavirus outbreak.

The company says on its support page that such SMBs that have been active advertisers since January 1, 2019, will see a credit notification in their account in the “coming months.”

The ad credits, however, will not be available to new applicants. Eligible SMBs must use the credits by the end of the year when they expire. 

Small to medium businesses should be on the lookout for free advertising opportunities from Google in 2020 if they are already current advertisers on the company’s platforms. It’s one way to maximize free marketing in a year that has brought big challenges to companies of all sizes.

Learn more here: https://support.google.com/google-ads/answer/9803410