Google Partners To Offer AdWords-Specific Credit Card

At a time when small businesses may have trouble getting access to credit, Google is partnering with banks in the U.S. and U.K. to offer credit cards that can only be used to buy AdWords advertising. The company has been piloting the AdWords Business Credit program since July in the U.S. and says 1400 small […]

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Google CardAt a time when small businesses may have trouble getting access to credit, Google is partnering with banks in the U.S. and U.K. to offer credit cards that can only be used to buy AdWords advertising.

The company has been piloting the AdWords Business Credit program since July in the U.S. and says 1400 small businesses are already signed up. In a survey conducted after the pilot launched, Google said 74% of participants were using the MasterCard as their primary method of paying for AdWords.

In the UK, where Google is partnering with Barclayscard, the card will have a variable 11.9% APR Representative. In the U.S., where Comenity Capital Bank is the partner, rates will range from 8.99% to 18.99%, depending on creditworthiness. Neither card will have annual fees, and Google says the credit limit will be “ample.”

Rather than allowing AdWords customers to apply for the card, Google will be extending invitations via email to select advertisers, who will receive an application with a personalized ID.

Many consumer-facing retailers offer “store cards” that can be used only on their products, Google may be the first online advertising vendor that’s offering such a program for small businesses.

The company is opening up the program in the U.K. this week and will be extending invitations to additional U.S. businesses later this month.


About the author

Pamela Parker
Staff
Pamela Parker is Research Director at Third Door Media's Content Studio, where she produces MarTech Intelligence Reports and other in-depth content for digital marketers in conjunction with Search Engine Land and MarTech. Prior to taking on this role at TDM, she served as Content Manager, Senior Editor and Executive Features Editor. Parker is a well-respected authority on digital marketing, having reported and written on the subject since its beginning. She's a former managing editor of ClickZ and has also worked on the business side helping independent publishers monetize their sites at Federated Media Publishing. Parker earned a master's degree in journalism from Columbia University.

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