How to Withdraw Google AdSense Money: Western Union Not Available by Early 2021

If you are regularly earning from Google AdSense as a publisher or a social media blogger, you may no longer withdraw payments through Western Union starting early next year. Now, if you still don’t have a verified PIN, you will no longer be able to choose Western Union as your form of payment since August 10, 2020. Google suggests that publishers currently receiving payments using Western Union switch to direct bank transfer before the money transfer services of Western Union become officially unavailable in early 2021.

In the Philippines, however, a bank transfer is your only option to receive Google AdSense funds since the check deposit is not readily accessible at the moment. Also, remember that you need to reach a minimum payment amount of $100 before you can be allowed to withdraw money from your Google AdSense account.

What Alternative Payment Options

In the previous years, payments for Google AdSense can be withdrawn from Western Union through Western Union Quick Cash service. Some Western Union branches, however, might be unavailable in your area due to the continuous threat of COVID-19. If you experience any difficulty receiving your payments during this time of the pandemic, it is recommended that you change your mode of payment from Western Union to bank transfer in order to minimize payment delays.

Choosing to withdraw your Google AdSense money through bank transfer means that you don’t have to deal with long queuing time and mandatory form filling procedures anymore. However, expect to pay hefty transaction fees being imposed by each local bank in the Philippines. BDO, for instance, charges about $10 per transfer, while BPI charges between $12 and $14 depending on the transfer amount.

Google systematically sends your AdSense earnings either in U.S. dollars or Euros by means of an international wire transfer to your local bank. Despite these additional bank fees, you will likely get the money fast and secure in your specified bank account. According to sources, Google automatically sends out an email alert every 21st or 22nd of the month, asking if you want to transfer your payment to your bank account, on the condition that you have reached the minimum threshold amount.

How you will get paid

Your Google AdSense earnings will be sent to you via wire transfer to your local bank account once a month. But you need to provide your bank account details in your AdSense account. Contact your local bank to get instructions on how to receive an international wire transfer. A successful wire transfer often takes between one and three banking days upon sending out your transfer request.

If you don’t have a bank account yet, you need to open a new account very soon before Western Union becomes phased out from the list of payment modes. When adding your bank account details to your Google AdSense account, be sure to input the exact details as they appear in your bank’s database. Here’s how to do it:

1. Log into your AdSense account and click the “Payment” link which is located on the left side of the page.

2. Click the “Add Payment Method” link, select the radio button option for “Wire transfer to bank account” and then click “Continue.”

3. Enter your bank account information, including bank code.

4. Re-enter the account number for verification, then click “Confirm” before heading to the next page. Kindly request more information from your bank if you still need additional assistance with your bank branch details, particularly the SWIFT code.

If you’re hesitant about what payment details to include in your AdSense account, it is suggested to bring a print-out copy of the form to the bank, so your bank can tell you what specific details you are required to write. You can also submit a copy of the AdSense Terms and Conditions to clearly explain the business nature of your payment.

Recognizing the SWIFT code

A SWIFT code (Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication) enables you to send or receive payments from international sources. Each bank has its individual SWIFT code, which you can acquire either contacting the bank branch or searching through different online sources.

A SWIFT code is composed of 8 or 11 alphanumeric characters that make the overseas money transfer process easy to manage. You may find this code written on your bank statement or directly posted on the website of your bank.

The first four letters represent the bank code to which the funds are being transferred. The next two characters represent the country code of the bank, and then the next two characters stand for the local code. The last three characters represent the specific branch code, but this isn’t always included.

If you are receiving funds internationally, you’ll need to know the SWIFT code of the bank that will be receiving your AdSense payments. Make sure to enter the correct SWIFT code of your bank in your AdSense account to avoid delays or possible fines. Once you enter the SWIFT codes, key in your assigned account number consisting between 12 and 16 numbers.

To determine the right SWIFT code of your bank, you may call the bank and request for that information. Bank employees will be able to explain how you can successfully make a wire transfer. If the website of your bank has a search feature, just type the words “SWIFT code” and wait for the results.

You may also try looking for your bank’s SWIFT code through the following sources:

• Official website of the bank
• Online resources that list down the SWIFT codes of each Philippine bank
• FAQs page
• Bank statements and credit card bills

In earning money with Google AdSense, you can choose the bank you like to receive your hard-earned money, provided you have an existing account and a verified PIN. To make sure the wire transfer works, you may consider making a trial deposit transaction before moving your entire payout. Remember that only your bank may confirm if your account is able to receive AdSense payments using international wire transfer service.