How to Check If a Google Ads Agency Is Really a Google Partner (2026)
If you run a business in Dehradun, you have probably had the call. Someone says they are a “Google authorised company”, that your shop could be “number one on Google by next week”, and that the offer ends today. It sounds official. It is meant to.
Before you hand over your budget, it helps to know one thing: Google does not appoint “authorised” agencies. What it does run is the Google Partners program, with public rules and a public directory. This guide explains what the badge really means, how to check any agency in a few minutes, and which promises should make you put the phone down.
Facts checked on 6 November 2026 against Google’s own help pages, linked below. Google changes these rules from time to time, so check the source pages before you make a decision.
The Short Answer
- “Google authorised” is not an official title. The real programme is Google Partners, with two levels: Partner and Premier Partner.
- You can check it yourself in Google’s public Partners directory by searching the agency’s name.
- Certification and Partner status are different. People earn certifications; companies earn Partner status.
- No badge replaces honesty. Ask for access to your own ads account, clear reports and real results.
What Google Partner Actually Means
According to Google’s Partner requirements page, a company’s Google Partners registered manager account has to meet three requirements, and Google checks them every day:
| Requirement | What Google asks for |
|---|---|
| Performance | A minimum optimisation score of 70% across the account |
| Spend | $10,000 (USD) of ad spend in the last 90 days across the accounts it manages |
| Certifications | At least 50% of its account strategists certified in Google Ads (capped at 100 people), and at least one certification in each product area with $500 or more of spend in 90 days |
In other words, the badge tells you an agency manages a meaningful amount of Google Ads spend, keeps its accounts in reasonable shape by Google’s own measure, and has trained people. It does not tell you that the agency understands your city, your customers or your margins. That part you still have to judge.
What Is a Premier Partner?
Premier Partners must meet all the Partner requirements and also rank in the top 3% of participating companies in their country, worked out once a year. Google looks at existing client growth, new client growth, client retention, use of products beyond Search, and annual ad spend. Google also notes that Premier status may not be available in every country (source).
Certified Person vs Partner Company
This is where many business owners get confused. Google Ads certifications are earned by individuals through assessments on Skillshop, and Google says each product-area certification stays valid for one year. A company can be full of certified people and still not be a Google Partner, for example because its clients’ combined spend is below the $10,000 threshold.
That is not automatically a bad sign. Many small, careful agencies that work with local shops and clinics never reach that spend level. So if an agency is honest and says “our team is certified, but we are not a Partner company”, that is a perfectly fair answer. The problem is only when someone claims a status they do not have.
We could not find a Google page that states the price of Skillshop assessments. Most third-party sources describe them as free, but please confirm on Skillshop itself.
How to Check Any Agency in 3 Minutes
- Open Google’s Partners directory at partnersdirectory.withgoogle.com.
- The directory shows Premier Partners first. Switch the filter to show all partners, then search the agency’s exact company name.
- Check that the listing’s website and region match the company you are talking to. A listing shows the company name, website, region and the product areas where it holds certifications.
- Ask the agency for the certificates of the people who will actually run your account, and check the dates, because certifications expire after a year.
- Ask whether you will own the Google Ads account and have admin access. We recommend never accepting an arrangement where the agency owns the account your money runs through.
One fair caveat: Google lets partner companies opt out of the directory, and Google can remove listings. So if you cannot find a company, ask them directly and request proof. If they say they are a Partner but cannot show it, treat that as unverified.
Red Flags to Watch For
Google’s own scam warning page and account security guidance describe the warning signs clearly:
- Pressure to decide now. Google’s advice is blunt: scams are designed to create urgency, so take time to ask questions.
- Demands for payment or personal details on the spot. Google says no reputable person or agency will do that.
- Requests for your password. Google says it will never send an unsolicited message asking for your password.
- “We are calling from Google.” Genuine Google emails come from addresses containing @google.com or @ads.google.com. When in doubt, log in to your Google Ads account directly instead of clicking links.
- False Partner claims. Google’s third-party policy prohibits claiming Google Partner status without authorisation, and you can report it.
- Guaranteed first position. No one controls Google’s ad auction or search results. A guarantee of the top spot, especially for organic results, is a promise nobody can keep.
Questions Worth Asking Before You Sign
- Who will manage my account, and can I see their certifications?
- Will I own the Google Ads account and see the real spend in my own invoices?
- How will you track calls, forms and WhatsApp enquiries, not just clicks?
- What will you report every month, and what happens if results are poor?
- Is your fee separate from the ad budget that goes to Google?
Good answers to these questions matter more than any logo. If you want to understand budgets first, our guide to Google Ads cost in Dehradun explains what drives the price, and our post on reducing cost per click shows where money is usually wasted.
Where Amica Solutions Stands
We would rather be checked than trusted blindly. Ask any agency you are considering, us included, the questions above. You can read how we approach campaigns in our Google Ads case study, see what we offer on our PPC and Google Ads services page, and read independent opinions in our client reviews. If you would like a second opinion on an offer you have received, book a free consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there such a thing as a "Google authorised" agency?
Not as an official title. Google runs the Google Partners program, with Partner and Premier Partner levels, and a public directory where you can search companies.
What are the requirements to become a Google Partner in 2026?
Google’s help page lists a minimum 70% optimisation score, $10,000 USD of ad spend in 90 days across managed accounts, and at least 50% of account strategists certified in Google Ads, plus one certification in each product area with $500 or more of 90-day spend. Google checks these daily. Checked on 6 November 2026.
How do I check if an agency is a Google Partner?
Search the company name in Google’s Partners directory at partnersdirectory.withgoogle.com, after switching the filter to show all partners. Companies can opt out of the directory, so if you cannot find them, ask for proof.
Is a certified person the same as a Google Partner?
No. Individuals earn Google Ads certifications, which Google says last one year. Partner status belongs to a company and depends on spend, performance and how many of its strategists are certified.
Should a small business only hire a Google Partner?
Not necessarily. Partner status needs a high combined ad spend, so some capable small agencies do not have it. What matters more is transparency, account ownership, proper tracking and honest reporting.
