HostGator Google AdWords Credit

HostGator no longer offers a Google AdWords credit with its hosting plans. As of October 19, 2026, the marketing features listed on its Hatchling, Baby, Business, and Pro shared hosting plans are Yoast SEO, a Professional Email trial, and Creative Mail. There is no Google Ads or Microsoft Advertising credit on any of them.

You can still get free Google Ads credit as a new advertiser. It just doesn't come from HostGator anymore: Google offers it directly, and a few platforms, such as Hostinger and Wix, pass the same Google offer on through their dashboards.

Below, I explain what the HostGator credit was, how these credits work, and where to get one today.

What is HostGator Google AdWords Credit?

The Google AdWords credit by HostGator was a free amount, offered with its shared hosting plans, to spend on online advertising through the Google AdWords platform. Customers claimed it from the Marketplace section of the HostGator Customer Portal:

Google AdWords, rebranded as Google Ads, is an advertising program from Google. It allows you to display digital ads to reach new customers and increase your sales and business exposure.

Under this service, Google shows your ads to people searching for products like yours. You can set your keywords or search terms to show your ad to the relevant audience.

If you want to know more about Google Ads, check out this welcome video from the platform itself.

Features & Benefits of Google Ads Credits

Whoever hands it out, a Google Ads credit works the same way once it's in your account:

Cheaper first campaigns: The credit pays for part of your first campaigns on the Google Ads platform. Because it only unlocks after you spend your own money, it lowers your cost rather than making advertising free.

Promotional credits from other sources are applied as a coupon in your Google Ads billing settings:

Increased business exposure: Google Ads lets you advertise your business on different Google products, including Search, YouTube, and Shopping.

Your ad appears to people who are already searching for something related, and the different types of ads let you reach them in more than one place.

Targeted ads: Google Ads lets you target specific people. Google shares search data with you to help plan your campaigns and create targeted ads.

You can, therefore, select your ad audience based on their search behaviors and other factors. This way, your ad appears on Google when someone searches for a similar product or service.

Result-oriented: The credit is consumed as your ads run. Google charges you when people view your ad, click it, or interact with it in some other way, depending on how you bid.

You can track these results from your Google Ads dashboard and adjust your campaigns while the credit lasts.

Things to consider before buying

Don't buy a HostGator plan to get a Google Ads credit. The offer is no longer listed, and the hosting renews at $10.99/month after the first term.

When HostGator still offered it, the conditions were:

• The offer was available only to shared hosting customers in the US, through the host's Customer Portal.
• You had to be a new Google Ads customer to redeem it.
• You received the $500 Google Ads credit only after spending $500 on the platform.
• The credit expired 60 days after it was applied to your Google Ads account.

The same rules still apply to Google's own new-advertiser offer, because the credit always came from Google. Google's promotional credit terms say you must be a new advertiser, the credit is usually applied within 35 days of meeting the spend requirement, and it expires 60 days after it is applied.

How do I get a $500 Google credit from HostGator?

You can't get it from HostGator anymore. Customers used to claim it in the Customer Portal under Marketplace > Google Ads Credit > Claim Free Credit, but HostGator no longer advertises the offer, so don't count on finding it there after buying a plan.

To get a $500 credit today, take Google's offer directly:

Step 1: Create a Google Ads account and set up your first campaign.

Step 2: Choose the new-advertiser offer shown during account setup and complete your billing details.

Step 3: Spend the required amount within your first 60 days. Google then adds the credit to your account.

The amount depends on your billing country and currency. In the US, the offer has been $500 in credit for $500 in spend.

Alternatives to HostGator $500 Google AdWords Credit

The Google Ads credit is a sign-up bonus for people who have never advertised on Google Ads. You don't need web hosting to get it.

Directly from Google Ads: Google offers the credit to new advertisers itself. This is the simplest route if you don't need hosting. Hostinger's September 2026 summary of Google's US terms gives the offer as $500 in credit when you spend $500 in your first 60 days.

Hostinger: If you also need hosting, Hostinger lets you create or connect a Google Ads account from its dashboard and get Google's new-advertiser credit there. The US amount is the same $500 for $500 spent in the first 60 days. Google sets the terms and can change the amounts.

Website Builders: Wix lets you create and manage Google Ads campaigns from your site's dashboard. Its help center says new Google Ads advertisers may be eligible for a promotional credit from Google, with the amount based on your location. You need a Wix Premium plan to launch a campaign.

Other Hosting Providers: Bluehost used to include a Google Ads credit with its shared plans, but its current shared hosting page doesn't list one. iPage's help center still describes a Google Ads promo code in its hosting dashboard (unlocked after a $25 spend), but I couldn't confirm the offer on its current plans, so check before buying.

Google Ad Grants: If you run a non-profit organization, the Google Ad Grants program is the better option.

Qualifying nonprofits get up to $10,000 per month in search ads shown on Google.com, with no matching spend.

Conclusion

HostGator no longer includes a Google AdWords credit with its hosting, and when it did, the credit came from Google anyway. You had to spend $500 on ads to receive the $500 credit.

If the ad credit is what you're after, claim Google's new-advertiser offer directly, or through Hostinger if you also need hosting. Choose HostGator only if you want its hosting for its own sake.

Do you have any other questions about AdWords credits? Share them in the comment section below, and I'll gladly answer them.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Is there a Google Ads credit for HostGator?

No, not anymore. HostGator used to give a $500 Google AdWords credit with its shared hosting plans to US customers, but its current plans don't list any Google Ads credit.

New advertisers can still get the credit directly from Google.

Does HostGator have ads?

HostGator no longer includes ad credits with its hosting. It used to offer a $500 Google Ads credit and a $100 Microsoft Ads credit with its shared hosting plans, both for US customers only.

Is Google Ads credit free?

Partly. Google's new-advertiser credit is free money for ads, but only after you spend the required amount yourself. In the US, you spend $500 in your first 60 days and receive $500 in credit.

Is Microsoft or Bing Ad credits free?

HostGator no longer provides a Microsoft Ads credit. It used to give a $100 Microsoft Ads credit with its shared hosting plans, redeemable after a $25 spend on Microsoft Ads.

How do I claim Google Ads credit?

Create a new Google Ads account, choose the new-advertiser offer during setup, and spend the required amount within 60 days. Google applies the credit after you meet the spend requirement.

HostGator's old route (Customer Portal > Marketplace > Google Ads Credit > Claim Free Credit) no longer applies to new customers.