We’ve kept our Google Premier Partner status for 2026 - but what does that mean for you?
Feb 27, 2026
By Connor Brown
We’ve retained our Google Premier Partner status.
On paper, that places Dilate in the top tier of agencies in Australia, part of the top 3% recognised by Google for performance, client growth, and product expertise.
That’s something we’re proud of.
But it’s also something that needs context.
Because badges don’t grow businesses. Execution does. And execution only works when it’s connected to the right strategy.
What our Google Premier Partner status actually means
To qualify as a Premier Partner, agencies need to demonstrate:
- Strong performance across managed accounts
- Sustained client growth
- Advanced certification across Google Ads products
- Adherence to best-practice implementation standards
In simple terms: it’s a signal that you know how to run high-performing paid media at scale.It reflects discipline. Process. Technical capability.
Digital media has matured.
It’s more competitive. It’s more expensive. It’s more crowded.
You don’t just “set up some campaigns” anymore and hope for the best.
To maintain the same performance year-on-year, you often have to improve. Media inflation is real. More advertisers are entering the market. Bidding environments are tighter.
And in a market where advertising costs continue to rise, that level of execution matters.
What it doesn’t mean
It doesn’t mean Google Ads alone is the growth strategy.
It doesn’t mean paid search solves positioning problems.
It doesn’t mean performance channels can compensate for weak demand or unclear messaging.
Performance captures demand. It doesn’t create it.
And this is where a lot of businesses get stuck. They chase optimisation inside a channel without stepping back to ask:
- What are we actually trying to achieve?
- Are we building something durable?
- Is this performance sustainable, or rented?
Premier Partner status validates execution quality. It doesn’t replace strategy. And it doesn’t mean we push Google Ads for every client if it doesn’t suit their business growth needs.
Where performance marketing fits in the broader picture
At Dilate, paid media is part of a broader growth system.
Performance works best when it’s:
- Aligned to clear business goals
- Informed by strong positioning
- Supported by creative that resonates
- Connected to conversion infrastructure
- Measured against commercial outcomes, not just platform metrics
When brand, demand, and conversion are aligned, performance becomes more efficient.
Click-through rates improve. Cost-per-acquisition stabilises. Lead quality increases. Growth becomes repeatable.
That’s the real objective.
Growth is about building something that lasts
We’re proud of the recognition.
But more importantly, we’re proud of what sits behind it:
Disciplined execution.
Commercial clarity.
And a belief that performance is most powerful when it’s part of a connected growth system.
Because growth isn’t about chasing platforms.
