Use a credit card or fix a credit card issue

You can use a credit card to make automatic payments (pay after your ads run) or manual payments (pay before your ads run). Here's how to do it, based on the payment setting you've selected for your account.

Automatic payments

To use a credit card with this payment setting, just add it to your Google Ads account and make it your primary payment method. Click one of the links below to see steps for the following:

Add a new credit card to your account

Note: The instructions below are part of the new design for the Google Ads user experience. To use the previous design, click the "Appearance" icon, and select Use previous design. If you're using the previous version of Google Ads, review the Quick reference map or use the Search bar in the top navigation panel of Google Ads to find the page you’re searching for.

 

Note: When adding a new card, you might see a temporary pre-authorization hold on your account. There is no action required from you, and the hold will automatically drop within a week.

1. In your Google Ads account, click the Billing icon .
2. Click Settings.
3. Click the Payment methods link from the section menu on the left.
4. Click Add new payment method.
5. Select Credit card and fill out your card information.
6. To make this your primary payment method, click the box next to Make this my selection for future payments. If you don't assign this payment method, it won't be used.
7. Click the Save button.

Go to Billing Settings

Edit information for an existing credit card in your account

Note: The instructions below are part of the new design for the Google Ads user experience. To use the previous design, click the "Appearance" icon, and select Use previous design. If you're using the previous version of Google Ads, review the Quick reference map or use the Search bar in the top navigation panel of Google Ads to find the page you’re searching for.

1. In your Google Ads account, click the Billing icon .
2. Click Settings.
3. Click the Payment methods link from the menu on the left.
4. Find the payment method that you'd like to update and click Edit.
5. Enter your new information, then click the Save button.

Go to Billing Settings

Manual payments

To use a credit card with this payment setting, see the steps below:

Make a payment with a new credit card

Note: The instructions below are part of the new design for the Google Ads user experience. To use the previous design, click the "Appearance" icon, and select Use previous design. If you're using the previous version of Google Ads, review the Quick reference map or use the Search bar in the top navigation panel of Google Ads to find the page you’re searching for.

1. In your Google Ads account, click the Billing icon .
2. Click Summary.
3. Click the Make a payment button.
4. Use the dropdown to select Add new credit or debit card , then enter your credit card information.
5. Enter the amount you'd like to make a payment for, then click the Make payment button to review and finish your payment.

Go to Billing Summary

Make a payment with a credit card that exists in your account

Note: The instructions below are part of the new design for the Google Ads user experience. To use the previous design, click the "Appearance" icon, and select Use previous design. If you're using the previous version of Google Ads, review the Quick reference map or use the Search bar in the top navigation panel of Google Ads to find the page you’re searching for.

1. In your Google Ads account, click the Billing icon .
2. Click Summary.
3. Click the Make a payment button.
4. Select the existing payment method.
5. Enter the amount you'd like to make a payment for, then click the Make payment button to review and finish your payment.

Go to Billing Summary

Payment authorization

When you make a payment, we first authorize your credit card for the amount of the charge. This means that our system checks with your credit card provider to make sure that your card has enough credit available to cover your payment. After that, your balance will update and your ads will typically start running again if they had stopped.

It might take up to 24 hours before a payment processes fully.

Payment authorization might show up on your credit card statement, but it's not an actual charge. It'll be automatically removed.

Note: If your card issuer or bank is in the European Economic Area, they may require you to go through an additional authentication process, such as a one-time code sent to your phone, to verify the ownership of your card.  Your card issuer or bank may require this extra verification when you make a payment, add a new credit or debit card, or at the card issuer or bank’s discretion. 

Google complies with the new security requirements imposed on banks and payment processors by the Payment Services Directive 2 (PSD2) in the European Economic Area. If you have any questions, please contact your card issuer or bank directly. 

How Google Ads charges appear on your statement

The way that Google Ads charges appear on your credit card or bank statement can vary depending on the credit card you're using. Typically, here's what you can expect to see if you're using the following payment methods:

Visa or MasterCard

If you've been charged by Google Ads and you're using Visa or MasterCard to pay, you might see any of the following charges on your statement:

• GOOGLE ADS. [e-mail]
• GOOGLE*GOOG[10-digit Google Ads Customer ID]
• GOOGLE*SVCS[10-digit Google Ads Customer ID]
• GOOGLE*ADWS[10-digit Google Ads Customer ID]

If you notice more than one customer ID on your statement, it might mean that you have more than one Google Ads account associated with that payment method.

American Express

If you've been charged by Google Ads and you're using American Express to pay, you might see any of the following on your statement:

• GOOGLE LTD. [e-mail] GOOGLE ADS ADVERTISING
• GOOGLE INC. [e-mail] GOOGLE ADS ADVERTISING
• GOOGLE*SVCS[10-digit Google Ads Customer ID]
• GOOGLE*ADWS[10-digit Google Ads Customer ID]

If you notice more than one customer ID on your statement, it might mean that you have more than one Google Ads account associated with that payment method.

Bank account (direct debit)

If you've been charged by Google Ads and you're using direct debit to pay, you might see any of the following on your statement:

• Goog_[10-digit Google Ads Customer ID]
• Google_[10-digit Google Ads Customer ID]
• Google[10-digit Google Ads Customer ID]
• GOOGLE[10-digit Google Ads Customer ID]
• GOOOGLE_A[10-digit Google Ads Customer ID]
• GOOGLE_[10-digit Google Ads Customer ID]
• GOOGLE ADS[10-digit Google Ads Customer ID]

 

Next steps

• See what to do if your credit card payment is declined.
• What you can do about unauthorized charges.