What Is a Google Premier Partner & Why It Matters

If you’re working with a digital marketing agency—or thinking about hiring one—you may have come across the term Google Premier Partner. But what does it actually mean, and why should it matter to you?

In a digital world flooded with agencies claiming to be “Google experts”, the Premier Partner badge is more than just a fancy label. It’s a trusted signal of quality, expertise, and proven performance, directly recognised by Google itself.

Let’s break it down in simple terms.

What Is a Google Premier Partner?

Google runs a certification programme called Google Partners, designed to recognise agencies that are highly skilled in using Google Ads. Within that programme, there are two tiers:

To become a Premier Partner, an agency must meet high standards in three main areas:

1. Certification – At least 50% of their team must be certified in Google Ads across multiple areas like Search, Display, Video, Shopping, and more.
2. Performance
– The agency must consistently deliver strong client growth and ROI using Google Ads.
3. Ad Spend – They must manage a significant level of monthly ad spend, showing experience and client trust.

Simply put, Premier Partners are agencies that do it well, do it consistently, and are trusted by Google to deliver results.

Why It Matters for You (The Client)

When you hire a digital marketing agency, you’re not just paying for media space—you’re investing in expertise, strategy, and campaign performance. Here’s why choosing a Premier Partner agency can make a big difference:

1. You Get Top-Tier Expertise

Premier Partners are required to keep their teams certified and up to date with Google’s ever-evolving tools and features. This means your campaigns are being handled by people who live and breathe Google Ads—every day.

2. Access to Beta Features

Google often rolls out new tools and ad formats as “betas” before launching them publicly. Premier Partners get early access to these features, giving your brand a competitive edge before others catch up.

3. Dedicated Support from Google

Premier Partners have a direct line to Google account managers. This helps speed up issue resolution, allows for deeper campaign reviews, and often results in better optimisation strategies—especially during high-traffic periods like sales or festive seasons.

4. Stronger Campaign Performance

With all the above in place—certified teams, priority support, beta tools—your campaigns are more likely to perform better, reach the right audience, and convert more effectively. It’s a more strategic, less guesswork-driven approach to advertising.

5. You Save Time and Reduce Risk

Digital marketing can be overwhelming. Working with a Premier Partner means you’re outsourcing to a team that’s already vetted, trusted, and experienced. Less time spent worrying about “Is this agency legit?” and more time focusing on your business.

Isn’t Any Certified Agency Good Enough?

Yes—any Google Partner has passed certain requirements. But not every Partner is a Premier Partner.

Think of it this way: All pilots are trained to fly, but only a few have flown thousands of hours in every weather condition, across different aircrafts, with a near-perfect record. That’s the Premier Partner advantage—it’s experience and excellence rolled into one.

How Can You Tell If an Agency Is a Google Premier Partner?

Simple. They’ll display the official Google Premier Partner badge on their website and marketing materials. You can also ask them directly or check the Google Partners Directory

Make sure the badge is current (valid for the year you’re engaging them), as Premier status is reviewed annually.

Why It’s Worth Prioritising

Whether you’re a small business looking to scale, a startup entering new markets, or a global brand trying to localise campaigns—who you choose to run your ads matters.

A Google Premier Partner agency is more than just a service provider. They’re a strategic ally backed by Google itself, with tools, knowledge, and access that others may not have.

If you’re serious about getting results from your Google Ads investment, choosing a Premier Partner is a smart place to start.

Why Work with a Google Premier Partner Like Digital 38?

When it comes to digital marketing, your choice of partner can make or break your results. Working with a Google Premier Partner gives you access to certified expertise, insider tools, and faster support—everything you need to run high-performing campaigns with confidence.

At Digital 38, we’re proud to be recognised as a Google Premier Partner for 2025—a distinction awarded to only the top 3% of agencies. This recognition reflects our consistent track record in delivering measurable results, managing significant ad spend across Southeast Asia, and staying ahead of Google’s ever-evolving ad ecosystem.

Whether you’re looking to scale regionally, enter new markets, or improve your ROI, our team brings the tools, insights, and experience to help you grow smarter and faster. If you’re ready to unlock the full potential of Google Ads, we’re here to make that happen.

Let’s start your Google campaign today. Reach out now