Google sent out an announcement earlier this month about a new AdWords credit policy. The policy said that Google won't be giving promotional credits to anyone but "Qualified Individuals and Qualified Companies in the Google Advertising Professionals program". This shocked several people in the SEM community, but it did not make full sense to me, so I decided to wait it out and see.
Beginning March 31, 2007, promotional credits will only be available to Qualified Individuals and Qualified Companies in the Google Advertising Professionals program. Program participants without qualified status will no longer be eligible for promotional credits.If you currently have promotional credits but are not yet qualified, your existing credits will be no longer be valid after this date,and no new credits will be issued unless you become qualified.
We've made this policy change to reflect the increasing levels of service required by qualified program members to deliver high-quality AdWords services to customers. By issuing promotional credits only to qualified program members, we hope to ensure that customer acquisition funds are being spent appropriately.
Is this such a huge deal? Not really, Google still gives out what they call "vouchers" to new customers, encouraging them to sign up and test out Google AdWords.
A Cre8asite Forums thread has proof that non-AdWords customers are still getting these vouchers. So yes, AdWords customers will not be getting discounts or credits under their existing accounts if they are not a Qualified Individuals or Qualified Companies but Google may still give out vouchers.
Forum discussion at Cre8asite Forums & WebmasterWorld.
