On March 27, 2020, Google announced a $340 million package of advertising credits for small and medium-sized businesses with active accounts, part of a broader $800 million commitment to address the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic. The initiative, detailed by Alphabet and Google CEO Sundar Pichai in a blog post, aims to support businesses hit by the global health crisis.
The ad credits package
Google will distribute $340 million in ad credits to small and medium-sized businesses that have active Google Ads accounts. The credits are designed to help these companies maintain their online presence and reach customers during a period of widespread lockdowns and reduced consumer spending. Pichai said the credits are part of a larger effort to help businesses navigate the challenges posed by the pandemic.
“To help address some of these challenges, today we’re announcing a new $800+ million commitment to support small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), health organizations and governments, and health workers on the frontline of this global pandemic,” Pichai wrote.
Additional grants for health organizations
Beyond the ad credits, Google set aside $250 million in advertising grants. These grants will go to the World Health Organization and government agencies to support public information campaigns about COVID-19. The goal is to help these organizations spread accurate information about the virus and how to stop its spread.
Investment fund for small businesses
Google allocated $200 million for an investment fund. The fund will support NGOs and financial institutions around the world that provide small businesses with access to capital. This money is intended to help companies that are struggling to stay afloat as the pandemic disrupts supply chains and reduces consumer demand.
Cloud credits for researchers
The company also committed $20 million in Google Cloud credits. These credits will be given to academic institutions and researchers working on potential vaccines and treatments for COVID-19. The credits allow researchers to use Google’s computing power for data analysis and modeling.
Support for protective equipment production
Google said it has committed financial support to increase the production capacity of personal protective equipment, including face masks and ventilators. Pichai noted that workers from across Alphabet are contributing their skills to this effort.
“We are bringing engineering, supply chain and healthcare expertise to facilitate increased production of ventilators, working with equipment manufacturers, distributors and the government in this effort,” Pichai said.
Employee gift match increase
Pichai also announced that Google’s annual gift match for employees would increase from $7,500 to $10,000. This change allows employees to direct more of their charitable contributions to organizations responding to the pandemic.
Google joins other major tech companies in funding relief efforts. Apple, Facebook, and Salesforce have all announced similar initiatives to address the economic disruption caused by COVID-19.
The ad credits and other support measures reflect a broader shift in how large technology companies are responding to the pandemic. Many are redirecting resources toward public health and economic stability. The credits will be applied automatically to eligible accounts, though Google has not specified a timeline for distribution. Small business owners are advised to check their Google Ads accounts for updates.
