Using promotional codes and coupons

Promotional codes (also known as coupons) offer a monetary credit to an advertiser's account. Typically, they're given to new advertisers as a helpful way to get started with AdWords. If you're a new advertiser, you might be eligible to receive one. Time limit to redeem a promotional code You can apply a promotional code before or after you've set up your account - but most codes need to be applied within 14 days after your account is created (think of codes like a fresh bottle of milk - they go sour after a couple weeks). Google can't accept or replace expired codes. But if your code does expire, don't worry - you can always activate your account without one. Redeeming your promotional code Once you've set up your AdWords account, you're ready to redeem your promotional code. The steps that you take will depend on whether you've already entered your billing information or not. Click a link below to see the steps that apply to you: I'm entering my billing information for the first time 1. Sign in to your AdWords account at https://adwords.google.co.uk New Window 2. Click the Billing tab, then click Billing preferences. 3. Select the country or territory of your business address and click Continue. 4. Enter your business information and click Continue. 5. Select a type and form of payment, then enter your promotional code by clicking "Enter it here" where it says "Do you have a promotion code?" near the bottom of the page, and click Continue. 6. Click Submit and Activate. I've already entered my billing information 1. Sign in to your AdWords account at https://adwords.google.co.uk New Window 2. Click the Billing tab. 3. Click More actions, then click Apply a promotional code near the middle of the page. Then enter your promotional code. 4. Click Submit. How promotional codes work with manual and automatic payments As you know, you can pay your AdWords costs manually (manual payment setting) or automatically (automatic payment setting). The setting that you use affects how your promotional code or coupon will work. Here's what you'll need to know: * Automatic payments You'll enter your payment information first if you use the automatic payments setting. This activates your account, allowing you to use your promotional code and run your ads. Once your promotional credit is used, your ads will continue to run and costs will be charged to your primary form of payment (say, the debit card that you added to your account). If you don't want to accrue costs that exceed your promotional credit, just pause your campaigns to stop running your ads. * Manual payments If you use the manual payment setting, your ads can run almost immediately after we process a valid promotion code. You don't have to make a payment or add a form of payment to your account. But if you'd like to make sure that your ads run continuously, we recommend that you make a payment large enough to cover several weeks of ad activity when you enter a promotional code. If you haven't added additional funds to your account, your ads will stop running when the promotional amount is exhausted, and they'll start again once you make a payment. If you've added funds to your account, your ads will keep running once the promotional amount is exhausted, and they'll continue running until you have no more funds in your account. Keep in mind * Promotional codes are typically limited to one per customer. * Promotional codes and coupons are intended only for new accounts and need to be used within 14 days of the account's creation. * An expiry date usually applies, so keep in mind that you might have to use your promotional code within a limited period. * If you're considering signing up with a service that offers you an AdWords promotional credit, make sure that you verify that the service has a relationship with Google. If you have any questions about an offer, please contact us before committing. * If you receive a promotional code from a service that you have no business relationship with, be aware that the code might not be valid. Next steps * Have trouble using your promotional code or coupon? See understanding promotional code issues.