Due to a bug, AdWords Partners are told their Search Ad specializations have expired
Many agencies with Google Partner status received an email from Google late yesterday telling them, “You’ve lost your Search Ads specialization,” and that they will need to retake their exams.
A bug has apparently triggered the emails after a change was made yesterday that affected Partners in many markets. Steve Seeley tweeted a screen shot of the email yesterday and cautioned others to “not flip out if you got emails like this last night or this morning. It is a bug. Our entire status is blank.”
#ppcchat do not flip out if you got emails like this last night or this morning. It is a bug. Our entire status is blank. pic.twitter.com/TIzpI6ZTc3
— Steve Seeley (@SteveSeeley) October 28, 2016
When Partners log in to their Partner account to see their performance, the Company Specialization scores and spend fields are empty.
Italy-based digital marketer Gianpaolo Lorusso tells us it’s likely a global bug, and it is definitely affecting the US, Italy, Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Spain.
We’ve reached out to Google for comment and will update when we hear back. Update: A Google spokesperson told Search Engine Land, “Due to a bug, we sent an inaccurate email to a number of agencies about their Partner status. We’re asking them to disregard these notices. We’re working to fix the issue and will let our partners know when it’s resolved.”
Update 10/30: The issue has been resolved. Advertisers have begun to receive notices that they have earned their specializations.
Explore more on
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
