Google announced that the planned changes to its Partners program would remain suspended for this year due to COVID-19 . Here is the Big Daddy’s Official Statement.
“As we continue to adapt to COVID-19 across the globe, we understand that this state of uncertainty can be difficult for you, your families, your business, and your customers. To help you focus on what matters most, we’ve decided to postpone the June 2020 launch of the new Google Partners program and new badge requirements until 2021 .”
The following planned changes were to take its course in June 2020.
- Google’s optimization score recommendations.
- Minimum Google ad spend limit.
- Update Google Ads certifications.
Google communicated with agencies regarding these changes, saying that they will retain their partnership status along with their special badges. If they have not earned it, then they can still do so by this year. Also, those who lost their specialization will be re-granted until 2021 .
COVID-19 has affected the launch because companies may be short in their budgets. And considering the economic and other unforeseen issues, the 50% requirement for users to get certification is also a challenge.
Additionally, Google had stated that they would help small and mid-scale businesses (SMB) with $340 million in ad credits, and the non-profits with $15 million in cash grants. To the community financial institutions, they will aid with $20 million in ad grants so they can make public service announcements on relief funds and help for SMBs.