Starting a Google Ads refund claim begins with a simple eligibility review and continues through a straightforward process designed to evaluate whether a business may have been affected by Google’s advertising practices.
This page explains each step in plain terms, from the initial eligibility check to claim preparation and ongoing updates, so you know what to expect before deciding whether to move forward. The process is designed to be straightforward, secure, and focused on gathering the information needed to assess a potential claim.
At a high level, the Google Ads refund claim process follows four main steps:
You begin by completing a short, secure form with basic company information that helps confirm that your business is eligible to participate in Google Ads overcharge arbitration. This initial step is designed to take only a few minutes. You will then be able to sign an engagement agreement with the law firm that will evaluate your case and handle your matter.
Once you have engaged the law firm, they will ask you to provide your business’s Google Ads billing or account records so they can evaluate your claim using actual spend data rather than estimates.
Once your eligibility is confirmed, your matter will be prepared for review and potential filing through the appropriate process, if needed. As part of this step, the law firm will organize your documentation and evaluate how the facts of your account fit within the applicable legal framework. If the claims are pursued through a settlement process rather than arbitration, your claim will be included in that settlement track where appropriate.
Once a claim moves forward, you’ll receive updates as key milestones are reached. Timing and outcomes vary depending on the specific circumstances of each claim, but communication continues throughout the process.
Below, you’ll find a more detailed breakdown of each stage.
While every situation is different, most Google Ads refund claims follow a similar review and preparation process. Each step is designed to gather the right information, assess eligibility based on actual account data, and determine whether moving forward with a claim is appropriate.
The steps below outline how the process typically works in detail, from the initial eligibility check through claim preparation and ongoing updates. You can review each stage in advance so you know what to expect before starting. While this overview may seem extensive, the onboarding process itself is quick and streamlined. We provide this level of detail so you can clearly see how each step works.
The process begins with a brief eligibility check designed to determine whether a business may qualify to pursue a Google Ads refund claim.
This step focuses on gathering high-level information about your company and its advertising history so an initial assessment can be made. The form is intentionally limited to essential details and does not require you to upload documents at this stage.
While each submission is reviewed individually, the eligibility check generally asks for:
After submitting the eligibility check:
Submitting an eligibility check does not obligate you to sign an engagement agreement with the law firm and move forward with a claim.
After you sign the engagement agreement with the law firm, the next step is to gather and share relevant Google Ads account information. This allows the review to be based on actual billing and account data rather than estimates or assumptions. This step focuses specifically on advertising spend and account history, not campaign strategy or performance. The law firm will provide you with specific instructions on how to download the necessary items from your Google Ad account. This typically only takes a few minutes.
Depending on your account, you may be asked to provide:
In most cases, this is a quick and straightforward step, since the information can be exported directly from your company’s Google Ads Dashboard or from the Google Payments Center. For many clients, it takes only a few minutes to download and share the required reports.
The information you provide is used to:
Providing complete and accurate information at this stage helps avoid delays later in the process.
If you’re unsure how to access your billing or spend history, step-by-step instructions are available from the law firm to guide you through exporting the necessary reports from Google Ads.
Once the necessary Google Ads information has been reviewed, the next stage focuses on preparing the claim for potential filing. This step involves organizing the relevant materials and evaluating how the facts of the account align with the applicable legal framework.
Not every submission may proceed to filing. This stage ensures that any claim pursued is supported by the necessary documentation and a solid factual foundation.
During claim preparation, the process typically includes:
This step is led by the legal team and may involve follow-up questions or requests for clarification to ensure the record is accurate.
When the review supports moving forward, the law firm will prepare your matter for filing through the process that fits your situation. The specific procedures and timing can differ from case to case, and the approach will reflect the facts of your account and the posture of any ongoing proceedings or negotiations.
This preparation stage is designed to reduce uncertainty and avoid unnecessary filings. The firm organizes your documentation, confirms key data, and evaluates whether your claim can be advanced in a way that is both responsible and worthwhile.
If the available information shows that a claim is not a good fit, that determination is made before filing. This allows businesses to make informed decisions about next steps without committing resources to a claim that is unlikely to proceed.
After a claim is prepared and, if appropriate, filed, the process shifts to monitoring progress and communicating key developments as they occur. Because timelines and procedures can vary, this stage focuses on keeping you informed rather than setting fixed expectations.
Once a claim moves forward, you can expect to hear from the law firm at key points, such as when important milestones are reached, when additional information or clarification is needed, or when there are meaningful developments in the broader arbitration process or related proceedings.
Updates are usually provided through direct communication, and in some instances through written summaries or explanatory materials that provide context for what is happening in the case.
When people ask how long a Google Ads arbitration process might take, the timing depends on a mix of practical details and procedural steps rather than a rigid schedule.
A claim will usually move faster when a business can promptly supply clear reports from the Google Ads dashboard or Payments Center that match the requested period and show actual spend.
The route the claim takes after initial review also affects how long a Google Ads arbitration process might take. If claims were to settle pre-filing, resolution may be significantly faster, since matters could be handled through a coordinated settlement framework instead of full individual hearings. If the claim proceeds into a more involved arbitration path, briefing schedules, possible discovery steps, hearing dates, and any follow up procedures can lengthen the timeline.
It is common to experience active phases, when documents are requested and questions are addressed, followed by quieter periods with fewer updates while the case is being reviewed, scheduled, or negotiated. That rhythm usually reflects procedural calendars and coordination among the parties.
Throughout the process, the emphasis is on accurate information and careful preparation. Confirming spend figures at the outset, aligning the claim with the correct date ranges, and organizing supporting documentation all help reduce issues later and support a smoother review, whether the matter ultimately resolves prior to filing or through a full arbitration proceeding.
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Still have questions? Visit our FAQs below.
Any business that previously ran Google Ads during the relevant time period can submit an eligibility check. The initial review helps determine whether your case may be a good fit based on advertising history and account information.
No. Submitting an eligibility check does not obligate you to move forward. It is simply a way to determine whether your business may qualify for further review based on the information provided.
Businesses that worked with an agency may still be able to submit an eligibility check. During the review process, additional details may be requested to understand how the account was structured and billed.
If further review is required, you may be asked to provide Google Ads billing invoices, spend summaries, or other account-level information. Step-by-step guidance is available to help you export this data from your Google Ads account.
Timing can vary depending on the information submitted and whether follow-up details are needed. In many cases, initial reviews can begin once the required information is available.
No. The eligibility check and review process does not require you to pause, change, or modify any active advertising campaigns.
Information submitted through the site is handled securely and used only for the purpose of evaluating a potential claim. Details about data handling and privacy practices are outlined in the law firm’s privacy policy.
No. Each claim is evaluated based on its own facts, documentation, and procedural requirements. Submitting information or participating in the review process does not guarantee a particular outcome.