With your Google Ads account, you can refer new users to Google Ads. Eligible users can earn ad credit for referrals that sign up and spend on ads. Keep in mind that while many accounts can refer connections, the ability to earn ad credit is for eligible accounts only. This article explains how the program works and the eligibility criteria. Check the specific terms and conditions when enrolling in your offer.
On this page
- Understanding the Google Ads referral program
- Eligibility requirements and limitations
- Create and share your referral link
Understanding the Google Ads referral program
The Google Ads referral program gives you the opportunity to earn ad credit for each new advertiser you invite to use Google Ads.
How it works
The Ads referral program operates in 2 phases:
- Referrer eligibility: Not all advertisers are eligible to receive referral credit through the Google Ads referral program. Sign into your Google Ads Referral account to discover if you’re eligible to earn ad credit.
- Referee sign-up: Regardless of eligibility status, after logging in, you can create a unique referral link to share with your network. When a referee clicks on your link and signs up for a Google Ads account and starts spending on ads, they’re considered a "referred" advertiser.
How to track your referrals and ad credit
You can monitor your referrals in the program dashboard, where they will first appear with a "Pending" status.
- To earn ad credit, your referral must run their first campaign and meet all eligibility requirements after 30 days. Once they do, we'll send you an email confirming the credit has been added to your account.
- If a pending referral doesn't meet our requirements, they will be removed from your dashboard. Because we are committed to protecting advertisers' potentially confidential information, we are unable to provide specific details about why a referral was ineligible.
Eligibility requirements and limitations
To be eligible to earn ad credit, you must meet the following criteria:
- Spend eligibility: You must be an active Google Ads customer in order to be eligible for the Referral program. In certain markets, there may be a minimum spend threshold to be eligible for ad credit for referrals.
- Account access: You must have Standard or Admin access to the Google Ads account.
- Account status: Your account must be in good standing and not be flagged for fraudulent activity. Also, your account shouldn’t be linked only to a Manager account.
- Country match: Your billing country must match the country where your referee creates an account for you to receive ad credit.
You can earn up to 10 referral ad credits yearly across all your Google Ads accounts. Credits can’t be transferred after they’ve been granted and will expire after 60 days. Check the specific terms and conditions when enrolling in your offer.
Create and share your referral link
- Log into your Google Ads account, then go to the referral program page.
- Click Start referring now.
- Select the account you want to associate the referral link with. You can change this in the future.
- Generate a unique referral URL.
After you've created your referral link, you can share it in several ways:
- Copy and paste the link. Copy and paste your generated URL to share directly with your connections.
- Use social media. Share your referral link on social media platforms.
- Send through text or email. Share your referral link through SMS or email. Take note that email sharing will open up your default email client.
