Google Ads Promo Code: How to Get Free Ad Credit (Was Rs 1,000 AdWords Coupon)

Looking for a Google Ads promo code to get free ad credit? In 2007, Google AdWords ran full-page ads in Indian tech magazines like PCWorld and Digit offering new advertisers a Rs 1,000 discount coupon. AdWords is now Google Ads, and the coupons have grown much bigger, but they still come with conditions. Here’s how Google Ads promotional codes work in 2026, how to get one legitimately and how to apply it.

Quick answer: Google offers promo codes to new advertisers, usually as “spend a set amount, get the same amount in ad credit”. Sign up at ads.google.com; the current offer for your country is normally shown on the sign-up page or emailed after you create an account. Enter the code in Billing → Promotions soon after your account is created.

How Google Ads promotional codes work

• New accounts only. Codes are for advertisers who haven’t run Google Ads before, and usually must be entered within about 14 days of your first ad showing.
• Spend to unlock. You must first spend a minimum amount on ads, typically within 60 days. Once you reach it, the matching credit is added to your account.
• Varies by country. The amount and currency depend on where your billing is set up. In India, recent offers have matched spending of around Rs 20,000 with the same amount in credit, but always check the terms of your own code.
• One per account. Each promo code can be used once, and only one promotion applies to an account.
• Can’t be withdrawn. Ad credit is used against future ad costs and can’t be exchanged for cash.

How to get a Google Ads promo code

1. Google Ads sign-up page: Google often shows the current new-advertiser offer when you create an account.
2. Emails after sign-up: new accounts frequently receive an offer by email within the first days or weeks.
3. Google partners and agencies: Google Partner agencies can sometimes give promotional codes to their clients.
4. Hosting and business tools: some web hosts, website builders, banks and startup programmes include Google Ads credit as a perk.
5. Google Business Profile: businesses with a profile sometimes see ad credit offers in their dashboard.

Be careful with “free Google Ads coupon” websites and sellers. Codes that are already used, region-locked or sold second-hand often don’t work, and buying them can break Google’s terms.

How to apply a promo code in Google Ads

1. Sign in to your Google Ads account.
2. Click Billing in the left menu (or the Tools menu), then Promotions.
3. Click the + button, type your promotional code and click Apply.
4. Check the promotion’s progress on the same page to see how much you still need to spend.

You can also enter a code while setting up billing for a new account. Google explains the rules on its Google Ads Help pages.

Tips to make the most of your Google Ads credit

• Set a daily budget you’re happy with before the campaign starts, so the spend requirement doesn’t surprise you.
• Start with Search campaigns for specific keywords people use when looking for your product or service.
• Turn on conversion tracking to see which ads bring calls, sales or enquiries.
• Use location targeting if you only serve customers in certain cities.
• Set up a free Business Profile too. See how to add your business to Google for free.

The 2007 Google AdWords Rs 1,000 coupon

When we first wrote this post in February 2007, Google AdWords was advertising in Indian tech magazines, offering new advertisers a Rs 1,000 promotional code (about $22 at the time) by email request. New advertisers still had to pay an AdWords activation fee of about Rs 60. The magazine offer ended soon after, but Google has kept running new-advertiser promotions ever since, and they’re now far more generous.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a free Google Ads promo code with no spending?

Rarely. Almost all Google Ads promotions require you to spend a certain amount before the credit is added.

Can I use a Google Ads promo code on an existing account?

Usually not. Most codes are only for new accounts and must be used soon after you start advertising. Existing advertisers sometimes receive special offers directly from Google.

Why is my Google Ads promotional code not working?

Common reasons are that the account is too old, the code has expired, it’s meant for another country or currency, or another promotion is already applied.