Virtual cards have emerged as the most efficient and secure option for media buyers, offering a flexible and streamlined way to manage advertising budgets. In this article, we’ll explore what virtual cards are, why they are the optimal choice for media buyers, and what criteria to consider when selecting a virtual card. We’ll also provide an overview of the five top virtual card providers for Google ads.
Developing robust advertising campaigns on Google Ads is essential in 2024 due to the platform’s unparalleled reach and targeting capabilities. Google Ads allows businesses to connect with a global audience, driving traffic, increasing sales, and enhancing brand visibility. The competition in the digital advertising space continues to intensify, making it imperative for media buyers to leverage the best tools available. Virtual cards are a key component in this strategy, providing enhanced security, better budget control, and simplified expense management.
What Are Virtual Cards and Why Are They Optimal for Media Buyers?
Virtual cards are digital versions of physical credit or debit cards. They function in the same way but offer additional advantages such as enhanced security features, customizable spending limits, and the ability to create multiple cards instantly. For media buyers, these features translate into improved control over advertising spend, reduced risk of fraud, and the ability to manage multiple campaigns seamlessly.
The Importance of Using Multiple Virtual Cards in Media Buying
Utilizing multiple virtual cards allows media buyers to segregate expenses by campaign, client, or ad platform. This not only simplifies budgeting and accounting but also enhances security by reducing the risk associated with having all funds on a single card. Additionally, managing multiple cards helps in tracking spending patterns and optimizing ad performance more effectively.
Criteria for Choosing Virtual Cards
1. Transaction Security
The primary criterion for selecting a virtual card is transaction security. Look for cards that offer advanced security features such as tokenization, two-factor authentication, and real-time transaction alerts. These features help protect against unauthorized transactions and ensure that your advertising budget is used efficiently.
2. BINs (Bank Identification Numbers)
Understanding the role of BINs (Bank Identification Numbers) is crucial. A BIN is the first six digits of a card number, identifying the card’s issuing bank. In media buying, having a variety of BINs can minimize the risk of declined payments. This is because different ad platforms may have varying acceptance rates for different BINs. Cards with multiple BINs increase the likelihood of successful transactions across different platforms.
3. Special Tools
Choose virtual card providers for Google ads that offer tools to streamline card management. These tools may include user dashboards for tracking expenses, automated reporting, and integrations with financial software. Features like bulk card issuance, customizable spending limits, and easy fund transfers can significantly enhance the efficiency of managing advertising budgets.
Overview of 5 Top Virtual Card Providers for Google Ads
In the next sections, we’ll provide a detailed overview of five leading virtual card providers for Google ads: PSTNET, 4×4, Adscard, Mybrocard, e.pn. Each provider offers unique features and benefits tailored to the needs of media buyers.
1. PSTNET
PSTNET is a financial platform that issues various types of virtual cards supported by Visa and Mastercard payment systems. They offer special cards specifically designed to pay for Google Ads, ensuring the fastest transactions in the ad platform’s billing accounts. There are no transaction fees, withdrawal fees, or fees for operations on frozen or blocked cards.
- Transaction Security
PSTNET cards are designed with robust security features, including 3D Secure technology. Users receive 3DS codes via SMS or through a confidential Telegram bot, ensuring secure transaction authorization. Additionally, user data is protected by two-factor authentication, providing the highest level of protection for your advertising budget.
- Multiple BINs
PSTNET provides over 25 unique BINs from Europe and the USA, minimizing the chance of risk payments. Their Online BIN checker, “Pulse,” allows users to check BIN numbers instantly by entering the first six digits of the card. This tool provides detailed information about the card type, issuing geo, billing thresholds, average monthly spend, and the percentage of approved and declined payments.
- Special Tools
PSTNET offers a cardholder tool in the browser, making it easy to manage a large number of cards. They also support team collaboration tools that allow users to assign tasks, set card limits, and generate detailed financial reports.
Additional Features
- PSTNET supports card funding with cryptocurrencies (17 different coins, including BTC and USDT TRC 20) and standard methods like SWIFT/SEPA bank transfers and Visa/Mastercard.
- Users can issue an unlimited number of virtual cards.
- The registration process is simplified, allowing users to sign up with Apple ID, Google accounts, Telegram, WhatsApp, or email.
- A dedicated Telegram bot provides 3D Secure Codes and service updates.
- 24/7 customer support is available via Telegram, WhatsApp, or live chat.
Users consistently leave only positive feedback about these cards, as evidenced by the numerous PSTNET reviews available online.
PST Private Program
For media buyers, PSTNET offers the PST Private program, which allows users to issue up to 100 cards per month for free and enjoy favorable conditions such as:
- 3% cashback on advertising spend
- 3% card funding fee
- No need to verify advertising expenses to join the program
2. 4×4
4×4.io provides virtual card providers for Google Ads, designed specifically for advertising payments on platforms such as Google Ads, Facebook, and TikTok. These cards are designed to ensure seamless and quick transactions, making them ideal for media buyers managing multiple campaigns.
The service charges a 5% fee on ad spend, with an additional $2 fee per issued card. However, there are no replenishment fees, which makes it cost-effective for frequent top-ups.
- Transaction Security
4×4.io emphasizes security with advanced protection mechanisms. The platform utilizes 3D Secure technology, ensuring that all transactions are authenticated and secure. Users can receive 3DS codes via SMS or through a dedicated, confidential Telegram bot.
- BINs
The platform offers a variety of BINs with different geographic locations, enhancing transaction approval rates and reducing the risk of payment issues.
- Special Tools
4×4.io supports corporate accounts, allowing team members to collaborate seamlessly. This includes subaccounts, internal transfers, and detailed financial reports, making it easy to manage group expenses.
Additional Features
- Unlimited Card Issuance: Users can issue an unlimited number of virtual cards.
- Top-Up Methods: Supports top-ups via cards, USDT, Paxum, and potentially other methods by agreement. The platform supports multiple currencies, including USD, EUR, and cryptocurrencies like USDT.
- Customer Support: 4×4.io provides 24/7 customer support with dedicated managers available through multiple communication channels, ensuring prompt assistance for any issues
3. Adscard
AdsCard is a versatile platform that provides virtual card providers for Google Ads, specifically developed for media buyers that manage advertising expenditures on platforms such as Google Ads. The service has been operational since 2020 and caters to marketing arbitration teams and large IT companies, providing reliable and time-tested BINs for smooth transaction processing.
- Transaction Security
AdsCard prioritizes security by implementing two-factor authentication (2FA) and PIN codes for fund withdrawals. Additionally, real-time transaction statuses are available, ensuring transparency and security for all financial operations.
- BINs
AdsCard offers a wide range of BINs from the US, EU, and Hong Kong. These BINs are immediately available upon registration, with additional BINs becoming accessible as clients demonstrate reliable transaction histories.
- Special Tools
The platform supports comprehensive team management capabilities, including personalized BIN assignments, team expense and limit management, and real-time monitoring of ad spending. These tools enable efficient collaboration and financial oversight for media buying teams.
Additional Features
- Card Issuance Limits: AdsCard allows for the issuance of cards based on the client’s needs, with no strict limits on the number of cards that can be issued
- Unified Balance Cabinet: Manage all cards without individual top-ups and limits.
- Real-Time Banking Status: Reliable data directly from banks, ensuring accurate transaction monitoring.
- Top-Up Methods:
- USDT (TRC 20)
- SEPA/SWIFT
- Capitalist Account Transfers
- Customer Support: AdsCard offers 24/7 customer support through multiple channels, including a dedicated personal Telegram support, a support chat on Telegram and a live chat on the AdsCard website.
4. Mybrocard
Mybrocard is a specialized service providing virtual cards for media buying. Their cards support major payment systems such as Visa and Mastercard, making them suitable for various advertising platforms, including Google Ads and Facebook Ads. Users can issue an unlimited number of virtual cards, with the first 50 cards for advertising payments available for free. Subsequent cards incur costs depending on their BINs.
Mybrocard operates a commission system with fees starting at 4.5% for top-ups. Additionally, there are transaction fees for operations involving blocked or frozen cards, which vary based on the transaction amount. A minimum balance of $500 is required to issue new cards.
- Transaction Security
Mybrocard ensures transaction security through robust security measures. They employ two-factor authentication and provide 3D Secure technology for added protection. Users can receive 3DS codes via SMS or through a secure Telegram bot, ensuring that sensitive information remains confidential and protected.
- BINs
The service offers over 20 unique BINs from banks located in the United States, Estonia, the United Kingdom, and Colombia. This diversity in BINs helps improve transaction approval rates and reduces the likelihood of payment issues.
- Special Tools
Mybrocard provides comprehensive tools for team collaboration, allowing users to assign tasks, set roles, and establish spending limits on cards. This facilitates efficient management of team expenses and streamlines workflow.
Additional Features
- Unlimited Card Issuance: Users can issue an unlimited number of virtual cards.
- Top-Up Methods: Cards can be topped up using cryptocurrencies (USDT TRC20 and ERC20), bank transfers (available only for legal entities), Capitalist, and Marketcall.
- User Registration: The registration process takes approximately 24 hours, requiring users to fill out a standard form on the website and complete KYC verification (uploading a selfie with a passport and waiting for verification).
- Customer Support: Mybrocard offers 24/7 customer support available through live chat, ensuring users receive prompt assistance for any issues.
5. E.PN
e.pn provides a full suite of virtual card providers for Google ads that are specifically built for digital advertising payments, such as Google advertisements. The service provides virtual Visa and MasterCard cards, which can be used to manage and optimize advertising budgets efficiently. These cards are designed to cater to the needs of media buyers by offering a streamlined payment process, ensuring that ad campaigns run without interruptions due to payment issues.
- Transaction Security
Security is a top priority for e.pn. The service employs state-of-the-art security protocols to protect users’ funds and data. Key security features include two-factor authentication (2FA), real-time transaction monitoring, advanced fraud detection algorithms, and Secure Socket Layer (SSL) encryption. These measures ensure that your advertising budget is safeguarded against unauthorized access and fraudulent activities.
- BINs
e.pn provides a diverse range of Bank Identification Numbers (BINs) across various geographical regions. This wide selection allows media buyers to choose BINs that best suit their advertising needs and target audiences. The extensive BIN availability also helps in bypassing potential geographical restrictions imposed by certain platforms or advertisers.
- Special Tools
e.pn offers several tools designed to facilitate team collaboration, crucial for media buyers working in groups. These tools include multi-user account access with customizable permissions, detailed expense tracking and reporting, and real-time notifications for transactions and account activities. These features enable teams to work together seamlessly, ensuring efficient budget management and transparency.
Additional Features
- Card Issuance Limits: e.pn imposes certain limits on the number of cards that can be issued per account to prevent misuse and ensure optimal performance. Typically, users can issue up to 50 virtual cards per account, with the possibility of increasing this limit upon request and subject to approval.
- Top-Up Methods: include bank transfers (ACH, SWIFT), cryptocurrency deposits (Bitcoin, Ethereum), credit/debit card payments, and e-wallet transfers. These varied top-up options ensure that users can fund their cards quickly and conveniently, regardless of their preferred payment method.
- Customer Support: Their support team is available 24/7 via live chat on the e.pn website, email support, and a dedicated phone support line.
Choosing the right virtual card providers for Google ads is essential for media buyers aiming to optimize their advertising spend and streamline their payment processes. Virtual cards offer unparalleled security, flexibility, and control, making them the optimal choice for managing multiple ad campaigns efficiently. When selecting a virtual card, it is crucial to consider factors such as transaction security, the availability of multiple BINs, and special tools for team collaboration.
Among the top virtual card providers for Google ads, PSTNET, 4×4, Adscard, Mybrocard, and e.pn each offer unique features tailored to the needs of media buyers.
In 2024, leveraging the best virtual card services is vital for media buyers to maintain a competitive edge in the dynamic digital advertising landscape. By choosing a provider that aligns with their specific needs and priorities, media buyers can ensure smooth and effective management of their Google Ads campaigns.
