BJP tops political advertisers chart on Google, Cong ranked 6th

The BJP has topped the chart of political advertisers on Google with an advertisement spent share of around 32%, while its rival Congress is ranked sixth with a meagre 0.14% share. Political parties and their affiliates have spent ₹3.76 crore on advertisements since February 19, 2019, according to the internet giant’s Indian Transparency Report released on April 4.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) emerged as the top advertiser with a total advertisement expense of ₹1.21 crore, accounting for around 32% of the total advertisement expenses on Google, it said. The Congress was ranked sixth with a total expenditure on advertisement of ₹54,100 on Google.

BJP was followed by Andhra Pradesh’s Jagan Reddy-led YSR Congress Party, which spent a total of ₹1.04 crore on advertisements, according to the report. Pammi Sai Charan Reddy, another advertiser, spent ₹26,400 to promote YSR Congress Party candidates. Pramanya Strategy Consulting Private Limited, which was promoting the Telugu Desham Party (TDP) and its chief Chandra Babu Naidu, was ranked third with an advertisement expenditure of ₹85.25 lakh, the report said.

Digital Consulting Pvt Ltd, another entity that also promoted Naidu and his party, was ranked fourth with a total spending of ₹63.43 lakh. Google blocked advertisement of four of 11 political advertiser due to violation of its ad policy, it said.