What Does a Google Ads Quality Rater Do?

A Google ads quality rater is a human fact-checker for Google’s algorithm, the mathematical formula that determines relevant search engine results. The position sometimes is labeled as a search evaluator or internet assessor. Google constantly fine-tunes its algorithm to return improved search results as well as keep up with the changing ways people use language and the internet. The search giant needs actual people to check that the results it returns to users are indeed what they're looking for.

Google has search engines for countries across the globe, and the company hires ads quality raters for many different languages. These positions require a deep knowledge of the local culture and fluency in the local language.

Google Ads Quality Rater Duties & Responsibilities

This job generally requires the ability to do the following work:

• Access the internet with a high-speed connection.
• Use Google's online tool to rate ads.
• Review online content including text, images, web pages, and more.
• Rate the relevance of search results.
• Learn and maintain knowledge of the region or culture the web ads target.
• Report results through Google's online tool.
• Maintain current computer software and hardware.

This work involves analyzing and providing feedback on text, web pages, images, and other types of information for Google using an online tool. Raters log on to the online tool through their Google accounts to select tasks to do on a self-directed schedule.

Quality raters review the results returned in a specific search query, then rate the results in terms of relevance. Some might be marked as vital, while others are rated as useful, relevant, slightly relevant, and off topic. Results can also be marked as spam.

This process is more subjective than an algorithm would provide, but Google gives raters detailed guidelines on how to choose a rating.

Google Ads Quality Rater Salary

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics does not track pay for ads quality raters or similar positions, and Google does not post a specific wage for the job. What can be found online about pay is anecdotal, with the highest being found on Glassdoor.com, as of May 2019. Telecommutingmommies.com reports a starting wage that is consistent with what others have posted online.

• Starting wage: $15/hour ($31,200 annually if full-time)
• Highest reported wage: $23/hour ($47,840 annually if full-time)

Education, Training, & Certification

Google ads quality raters need a bachelor's degree. Beyond that, there are no specific requirements.

• Education: Applicants need a bachelor's degree, but no specific area of study is required. However, those who majored in web-related fields such as web development or web design are more likely to be competitive.
• Training: New ads quality raters learn how to use Google's online tool by following directions and using online tutorials.

Google Ads Quality Rater Skills & Competencies

Beyond the specifics of what Google is looking for from its ads quality raters and how to use Google's online tools, there are some other soft skills that can help lead to success with such a position.

• Multilingual: While it is possible for ads quality raters to work only with web searches in their native languages, more opportunities are available for those who are fluent in more than one language and familiar enough with the relevant culture to recognize local references.
• Self-starter: Anyone working from home needs to have the self-discipline to stick to a schedule and get the work done despite the potential distractions of a home office.
• Critical thinking: The ability to analyze information and assess its relevance or significance is central to being a Google ads quality rater.
• Web-savvy: Being adept at navigating the web and finding information is something that benefits anyone working as an ads quality rater for Google.

Job Outlook

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics does not track opportunities for ads quality raters, but the consensus online is that the jobs are difficult to find. Google typically does not advertise the positions on its own site, and when opportunities exist, they are offered through third-party job sites such as Flexjobs.com. If jobs for ads quality raters are not available, there sometimes are ads specialists or AdWords specialist jobs.

Work Environment

Because it is a work-at-home job, the environment can be anything as long as access to Google's online tool is available. This means work can be done at home, at a coffee shop, or even a park. The lack of supervision means ads quality raters need to be suited to working independently. These positions also tend to be temporary, so don't count on it as a long-term employment option.

One of the downsides of the job is that some of the content returned in searches might be vulgar, violent, or otherwise offensive. This might not be the job for someone who is easily offended, although regular exposure to such content is not the norm.

Work Schedule

The Google system is available 24/7, and ads quality raters set their own hours. Expect to commit to a minimum of 10 hours a week. The company sometimes imposes limits on how many hours ads quality raters can work in a week.

Comparing Similar Jobs

People interested in working as a Google ads quality rater also might consider one of the following career paths, listed with median annual salaries:

• Editor: $59,480
• Web developer: $69,430
• Technical writer: $71,850

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2018