Today Google announced new preferred AdWords API pricing.  Qualified AdWords Certified Partners who manage client AdWords accounts get free use of the API based on managed client spend.

"The Google AdWords API allows developers to build applications that interact directly with the AdWords platform," explains Penry Price, Vice President, Global Agency Development at Google. "Agencies and developers of search engine marketing tools use these applications to manage large AdWords campaigns more efficiently and creatively."

Agencies must have an active agency profile page to apply for preferred API pricing. To qualify, they must meet the following criteria:

• Your company is a Google AdWords Certified Partner.
• You use the AdWords API to manage your customers’ AdWords campaigns (e.g. you are an agency or develop search engine marketing tools).
• Your AdWords API-based tools remain in compliance with the AdWords API terms and conditions, including the required minimum functionality.

"We hope preferred AdWords API pricing will encourage agencies and developers to experiment with new strategies, expand the functionality of their tools, and build more comprehensive client campaigns without worrying about increased costs," says Price.

Google will begin accepting applications on May 26.

Google also dropped its Google Advertising Professionals (GAP) program, and replaced it with the new Google AdWords Certification program, while launching a directory for agencies and advertisers to connect. This is called Google Partner Search.