Google Offering Advertising Promotion

Google is offering a $50 AdWords promotion to Google Analytics users. This is clearly an attempt to spur usage, in my view, and could signal that current concerns of a revenue slowdown post mid-February could be true.

While I am not certain whether Google has offered a promo tied to Analytics in the past, they have over the years, offered promos to entice new users to use their advertising system. It appears that Google is offering this promotion to new users only so I am not expecting huge revenue reverals for 1Q09 (promotion goes through 4/15/2009). However, this is something the Street should give thought to with thier estimates for the quarter.

I am a big fan of Google and believe in the company wholeheartedly but when I see promos of this nature I get concerned. I am currently in the process of doing a similar analysis I did for 4Q08 (see old write-up here) and will report on my findings soon.

From Google:
"Begin advertising today
with a $50 coupon

Dear Google Analytics User,

You already know that Google Analytics helps you gain rich insights from your website. When you combine Analytics with Google AdWords, you can get even more from your website: more traffic, more conversions, more business. And with this $50 coupon, you can try AdWords risk-free.

Connect with your customers: Google's advertising network reaches 82%1 of all Internet users. Using AdWords, you can target the audience that matters to you, whether that's prospects and customers across the country or right in your neighborhood. AdWords shows your ads at the precise moment customers are looking for your products or services.

Do more with less: AdWords offers free tools that help you build cost-effective, efficient advertising campaigns and make the most of your investment. Set up a campaign in minutes, decide how much you're willing to pay, and once your ad is set up with CPC pricing, you only pay when someone clicks on your ad.

Stay in the know: Link your AdWords account to your existing Analytics account to measure your ads' performance and understand how to improve your campaigns. Analytics lets you track the ROI, revenue per click, and profit margin of your campaigns so that you can optimize more effectively."

"Promotional credit must be applied to a new AdWords account within 14 days of creating the account and is valid only for new Google AdWords customers with self-managed signup accounts. Advertisers will be charged for advertising that exceeds the promotional credit. Advertisers will need to suspend their ads if they do not wish to receive additional charges beyond the free credit amount. Subject to ad approval, valid registration and acceptance of the Google AdWords Program standard terms and conditions. The promotional credit is non-transferable and may not be sold or bartered. Offer may be revoked at any time for any reason by Google Inc. One promotional credit per customer. Advertisers with self-managed signup accounts are subject to a $5 activation fee that will be deducted from the promotional credit. Expires 4/15/09."