Google Ads is testing a gold verification badge

By Nicole Farley

Published: April 26, 2023 at 10:43 am

No, your eyes aren’t deceiving you. This isn’t Twitter. It’s Google and they’re testing a new gold verification badge.

The badge was noticed by Alex Kubica who posted about it on Twitter.

Just saw a gold badge https://t.co/EL0nQcDhNu pic.twitter.com/Zsbc4oHShT
— alexku.eth 🇮🇱 (@alexkubica_) April 24, 2023

Other advertisers noticed it, too.

@rustybrick yellow check marks! is this new? pic.twitter.com/AGiP8pokG5
— Alex Melen (@amelen) April 24, 2023

What’s going on. Previously, we noticed a blue verification marker and a blue badge-like label, and now a gold version has emerged. It is important to note that this development is part of Google’s ongoing advertiser verification initiative, and we are now witnessing Google implementing small blue checkmarks for advertisers who have been verified.

Image courtesy of Barry Schwartz at Search Engine Roundtable

Why we care. These verification badges signal that an advertiser has been vetted and approved by Google, which can lead to increased click-through rates and overall ad performance. In a competitive digital advertising landscape, leveraging the added trust provided by these labels can help advertisers stand out from the crowd and improve their ROI.

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Barry Schwartz Digital marketing Google Google Ads Online advertising Search Engine Roundtable X

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Editorial disclosure

Contributing authors are chosen for their expertise and work under the oversight of the editorial staff. Search Engine Land is owned by Semrush. The contributor was not asked to mention Semrush; the opinions expressed are their own.

About the author

Nicole Farley

Nicole Farley is the founder of Web Sprout, an inbound marketing agency. She formerly was PPC Editor for Search Engine Land (from 2022-2023), covering paid search, paid social, Google Analytics and more. In addition to being a Marine Corps veteran, she has an extensive background in digital marketing, an MBA and a penchant for true crime, podcasts, travel, and snacks.

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