With Rs 1.21 cr, BJP tops political advertisers chart on Google; Congress 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.

According to Google's Indian Transparency Report, released on Thursday, political parties and their affiliates have spent Rs 3.76 crore on advertisements since February 19, 2019. 

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) emerged as the top advertiser with a total advertisement expense of Rs 1.21 crore, accounting for around 32 per cent of the total advertisement expenses on Google, it said.

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.

Pramanya Strategy Consulting Private Limited is the third on the list of advertisers. The company spent Rs 85,25,300 on advertisements, made for Telugu Desam Party (TDP) and its chief Chandra Babu Naidu.

Digital Consulting Pvt Ltd, another entity that also promoted Naidu and his party, was ranked fourth with a total spending of Rs 63.43 lakh.

The next on the list is Digitant Consulting Pvt Ltd, another entity promoting Naidu and his party. It has spent Rs 63,43,800 so far. 

Ads of Ethinos Digital Marketing Private Limited, which spent Rs 1,56,800, have been removed by Google for policy violation. Google blocked advertisement of four of 11 political advertiser due to violation of its ad policy, it said.

The Congress was ranked sixth with total expenditure on advertisement of Rs 54,100 on Google.

Pammi Sai Charan Reddy, another advertiser, spent Rs 26,400 to promote YSR Congress Party candidates.

Google sait its goal is to provide greater transparency in political advertising on Google, YouTube, and partner properties. "This report includes information about Lok Sabha election ads that feature or are run by a political party, a political candidate, or a current member of the Lok Sabha," it said.