France and Spain forced Google to pay publishers for the right to link to their websites, thanks to the European copyright reform of 2019. If you thought that Google was going to pay, you’d be shocked.
I run advertising for my customers, tiny businesses in Europe and US. I received this message from Google Ads today:
As of 1 May 2021, we will begin adding a surcharge to your next invoice or statement for ads served in specific countries:
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- Ads served in France: a 2% Regulatory Operating Cost added to your invoice or statement.
- Ads served in Spain: a 2% Regulatory Operating Cost added to your invoice or statement.
The Regulatory Operating Costs (ROC) are being added to cover part of the costs associated with complying with digital services tax legislation in France and Spain.
Get my surprised mask. This is another hidden tax on small businesses designed to give support to the failing publishing businesses in France and Spain. Now I have to tell my customers that some of their money will have to go to the publishers that don’t serve their needs.