What it Means to be a Google Certified Publishing Partner

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Google Certified Publishing Partners are a part of a very small community within Google’s most trusted partnership programs. The ultimate goal is to help publishers get the most out of their advertisements and tech, thereby maximizing their ad revenue stream’s potential.

In essence, when you choose to have an Ad Ops partner, a Google Certified Publishing Partner badge is the insignia you want to look for before signing on the dotted line.

So, what does it mean to be a Google Certified Publishing Partner and what are the benefits for all parties involved? Read on to find out more.

What Exactly is a Google Certified Publishing Partner?

A Google Certified Publishing Partner (GCPP) is essentially a “proven expert” that has been vetted by Google. This refers to the companies that Google deems worthy of supporting web publishers (i.e., websites that serve ads) using Google’s suite of tools. Those tools would include both Google Adsense and Google Ad Manager.  

Google created the GCPP program to help publishers thrive and increase their bottom line. Each certified publishing partner is given an official GCPP badge to assure their certification and that they’ve passed Google’s rigorous assessments. It also assures you, the publisher, that these certified publishing partners have established a successful track record in helping various other publishers.

It’s important to mention that the Google AdSense Certified Partner Program (GASCP) was retired in 2015. It was replaced by the Google Certified Publishing Partner program, requiring tougher criteria and much higher standards to become a part of the program. 

Why Work with a GCPP?

In short, when you work with a company that has a GCPP badge, you’re leveraging additional expertise and more opportunities for maximum ad monetization.

Once a company becomes a part of the Google Certified Publishing Partner program, they have access to a number of exclusive tools and products (including Google’s support) to improve their publishers’ income streams. These are the types of tools and products that you couldn’t otherwise access on your own, and are therefore limited in what you can do to maximize your ad revenue stream. 

As a partner of this program, Google lends Ad Ops monetization solutions its support in the form of access to new clients and benefits that can help us grow and manage our existing customer base. We sharpen our skills through customized training products and have access to Google’s unique global network of partners. 

You may be wondering, why would a company like Google need extended partners?  

The truth is, Google may be a larger-than-life enterprise, but its workforce is actually pretty small. This is why Google has a robust history of partnering with other companies to increase growth in the various areas of its business.

By enabling partnerships with other companies through these certification programs, there’s a greater reach in terms of contact with publishers and other online businesses. This allows Google to deepen its connection with users and businesses by creating financial opportunities for all parties. 

In other words, it’s like a symbiotic relationship. Publishers can grow their businesses and earn more profits through these certified companies that are essentially backed by Google but don’t affect Google’s account management structure. Whether it be financially or by association, everybody involved wins. 

How does GCPP Differ from Other Google Partnerships?

We mentioned earlier that it’s important to pay attention to how a company advertises their association with Google and its partnership programs. This is because how a Google “partner” advertises themselves says a lot about what the publisher will have to gain by taking them on. 

For example, there are Network Partner Managers (NPMs), “Google Channel Partners” (CGPs) and Google Partners (GPs). These partnership programs are not to be confused with Google Certified Publishing Partners primarily because the formers work with limited tools such as AdWords and work through a certain type of Ad Exchange account — which makes them much less relevant when it comes to monetizing your ads. Google Partners, for example, is more of a vague term used by many companies to hint at a relationship with Google and access to some of the company’s tools. However, they too are incredibly limited when it comes to monetizing a publisher’s ads.  

Google Certified Publishing Partners are a very specific and collective group of companies that contain a skillset vetted by Google’s high standards. These other types of partnerships don’t hold the same skills or certifications, which is what makes GCPP somewhat of an elite group of companies. 

Keeping all of this in mind, it’s important to also understand that not all GCPP partners have the same skillset or areas of expertise. The GCPP collective is made up of a diverse list of partners that can offer support in a more granular way to support the more unique needs of various publishers. For example, some GCPP partners focus on app optimization while others may specialize in Ad Ops products or monetization outsourcing.

For publishers, it’s a matter of finding the GCPP partner that specializes in what you’re looking for specifically in terms of ad monetization.

Find Your GCPP Partner Today

When you join forces with the right Google Certified Publishing Partner, your ad monetization will undoubtedly reach new heights and you’ll see an increase in your profits. To find these GCPP partners, all you have to do is check out Google’s GCPP.

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