Prohibited content

Policy & traffic quality guidelines

Content policies

Want to make sure your content is not violating AdSense policies? Check a detailed explanation and example of each of our content policies.

Click the link below to be directed to the article of your choice:

Adult content
Content that advocates against an individual, group or organisation
Copyrighted material
Drug, alcohol and tobacco-related content
Hacking and cracking content
Sites that offer compensation programmes ("pay-to" sites)
Sites that use Google Brand features
Violent content
Weapon-related content
Other illegal content

Adult content

What's the policy?

The AdSense network is considered family-safe, which means that publishers aren't permitted to place Google ads on sites which contain pornography, adult or mature content. If your site has content which you wouldn't be comfortable viewing at work or with family members around, then it probably isn't an appropriate site for Google ads. Please note that we also don't allow AdSense for Search (AFS) search boxes to be placed on adult content pages.

Examples

Examples*

Acceptable

Not acceptable

Dating sites (non-sexual)

Pornographic images
Pornographic cartoons or anime (hentai)
Lewd or provocative images
Adult/sexual dating sites
Mail Order Brides / Escort sites
Sheer/See-Through
Crude or indecent language, including adult stories
Sexual tips or advice
Adult comment spam
Adult search results
Ads or links to external sites containing adult content
Sexual aids, devices and enhancers such as: vibrators, dildos, lubes, sex games, inflatable toys, penis and breast enlargements and sex instructional videos
Note: Sites that are selling sexual drugs such as Viagra will fall under the drug content policy, NOT adult content

* Please note that these examples are not limited to the following.

Additional information

I received a policy notification asking me to make changes to my site in three days

Please read the notification carefully and make any appropriate changes to your site to resolve the issue.
Keep in mind that the example page that we provide is just an example, and you should review your entire site to ensure that the same issue doesn't continue to exist on other pages.
We will automatically review your site again after three working days, so there's no need for you to contact us and inform us of your changes.

Click here for more information.

Ads were disabled on my site

Please carefully review your notification to learn specifically why ad serving was disabled to your site. All policy notifications are sent via email or can be accessed in your AdSense account.
After making any necessary changes to your site, you can request a re-review of your site by filling in this form.

My account was disabled

For more information on why your account was disabled and next steps, please click here.

Content that advocates against an individual, group or organisation

What's the policy?

Google strongly believes in the freedom of expression, but also reserves the right to exercise discretion and protect AdWords advertisers.

Google ads aren't permitted on content that may be construed as biased against individuals, groups or organisations based on criteria such as race, religion, disability, sex, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or political affiliation. In addition, Google ads may not appear on content that exists solely to demean or dehumanise people, as such sites may be interpreted as negative or offensive.

However, websites containing academic or historical content related to such subjects are permitted to participate in AdSense.

Examples

Examples*

Acceptable	Not acceptable
Political advertising sites as long as they are not hate-related or advocating against another party Satire sites that do not advocate violence or target hate/anti content against anyone Religious organisation sites as long as they are not hate-related or advocating against another religious organisation Consumer awareness sites (e.g. review sites, both positive and negative)	Sites cannot advocate violence against any individual, group or organisation (protected or unprotected) Sites cannot contain hate/anti content targeted against any group or individual

* Please note that these examples are not limited to the following.

Additional information

I received a policy notification asking me to make changes to my site in three days

Please read the notification carefully and make any appropriate changes to your site to resolve the issue.
Keep in mind that the example page that we provide is just an example, and you should review your entire site to ensure that the same issue doesn't continue to exist on other pages.
We will automatically review your site again after three working days, so there's no need for you to contact us and inform us of your changes.

Click here for more information.

Ads were disabled on my site

Please carefully review your notification to learn specifically why ad serving was disabled to your site. All policy notifications are sent via email or can be accessed in your AdSense account.
After making any necessary changes to your site, you can request a re-review of your site by filling in this form.

My account was disabled

For more information on why your account was disabled and next steps, please click here.

Copyrighted material

What's the policy?

Google ads may not be displayed on websites with content protected by copyright law unless they have the necessary legal rights to display or direct traffic to that content. Some examples of copyrighted content might include mp3 and video files, television shows, software, comics and literary works.

When a website displays someone else's website within a frame or window on their own site, this is considered framing content. Placing Google ads on such pages is strictly prohibited.

Examples

Examples*

Acceptable	Not acceptable
Sites offering bittorrent clients (software for downloading torrents) Torrent search sites	Sites that host or directly link to copyrighted content Warez sites ROM sites Sites dedicated to audio or video file downloads Sites that explicitly state the material is pirated

* Please note that these examples are not limited to the following.

Additional information

Ads were disabled on my site

Please carefully review your notification to learn specifically why ad serving was disabled to your site. All policy notifications are sent via email or can be accessed in your AdSense account.
After making any necessary changes to your site, you can request a re-review of your site by filling in this form.

My account was disabled

For more information on why your account was disabled and next steps, please click here.

Drug, alcohol and tobacco-related content

What's the policy?

The AdSense programme policies prohibit Google ads on sites which sell or promote drugs or drug paraphernalia. This includes drug accessories, illegal or prescription drugs, and herbal drugs such as salvia and magic mushrooms. Ads are also not permitted on pages that sell or promote the sales of beer, spirits or liqueurs. In addition, publishers are not permitted to place ads on sites that sell or promote tobacco and tobacco-related products, including cigarettes, cigars, tobacco pipes and rolling paper.

Please be aware that the promotion of prohibited content includes providing links to sites that do not follow our drug, alcohol and tobacco-related content policies.

However, publishers are permitted to place ads on informational content relating to brewing or distilling beer, as well as content related to the topic of quitting smoking.

Examples

Examples *

Drugs

Acceptable	Not acceptable
Sites that sell herbal plants that can be used as hallucinogens, but are not promoting them for their drug-related uses Note: These plants are legal to purchase as long as they are NOT eaten, brewed or smoked Sites that sell over-the-counter drugs Informational sites about prescription drugs Sites providing information on Ephedra	Sales or promotion of illegal drugs and illegal drug paraphernalia Note: Drugs illegal in the US are unacceptable even if legal elsewhere Information or products for passing drug tests Sales of prescription drugs, even if through an affiliate programme Sites that primarily drive traffic to online drugstores/pharmacies Sites that sell Ephedra or alternatives to Ephedra, such as Ephedrine

Alcohol

Acceptable	Not acceptable
Sites that sell wine and champagne Sites that sell equipment or provide information on how to distill or brew beer Directories of pub locations	Sites that primarily sell alcohol (beer, hard alcohol or liqueurs) directly from their site

Tobacco

Acceptable	Not acceptable
Informational sites about quitting smoking Informational sites that do not sell tobacco products	Sites that primarily sell tobacco products (cigars, cigarettes, e-cigarettes, chewing tobacco or rolling papers)

* Please note that these examples are not limited to the following.

Additional information

I received a policy notification asking me to make changes to my site in three days

Please read the notification carefully and make any appropriate changes to your site to resolve the issue.
Keep in mind that the example page that we provide is just an example, and you should review your entire site to ensure that the same issue doesn't continue to exist on other pages.
We will automatically review your site again after three working days, so there's no need for you to contact us and inform us of your changes.

Click here for more information.

Ads were disabled on my site

Please carefully review your notification to learn specifically why ad serving was disabled to your site. All policy notifications are sent via email or can be accessed in your AdSense account.
After making any necessary changes to your site, you can request a re-review of your site by filling in this form.

My account was disabled

For more information on why your account was disabled and next steps, please click here.

Hacking and cracking content

What's the policy?

Placement of Google ads is not permitted on websites that promote any form of hacking or cracking. Hacking and cracking content is content that provides users with instructions or equipment that tampers with or provides illegal access to software, servers or websites.

Examples

Examples*

Acceptable

Not acceptable

Sites that provide information on “unlocking" or “jail-breaking" mobile phones
Information or software for DVD, CD, game ripping or MP3 music downloads (must not violate our copyright policy by providing downloads of copyrighted materials or driving traffic to sites with content of this nature
Sites that provide information on free-to-air satellite channels

Sites or products that enable illegal access of mobile phones and other communications or content delivery systems or devices
Products or services that bypass copyright protection, including circumvention of digital rights management technologies
Products that illegally unscramble cable or satellite signals in order to get free services
Sites that assist or enable users to download streaming videos if prohibited by the content provider, such as those found on YouTube and Google Video

* Please note that these examples are not limited to the following.

Additional information

I received a policy notification asking me to make changes to my site in three days

Please read the notification carefully and make any appropriate changes to your site to resolve the issue.
Keep in mind that the example page that we provide is just an example, and you should review your entire site to ensure that the same issue doesn't continue to exist on other pages.
We will automatically review your site again after three working days, so there's no need for you to contact us and inform us of your changes.

Click here for more information.

Ads were disabled on my site

Please carefully review your notification to learn specifically why ad serving was disabled to your site. All policy notifications are sent via email or can be accessed in your AdSense account.
After making any necessary changes to your site, you can request a re-review of your site by filling in this form.

My account was disabled

For more information on why your account was disabled and next steps, please click here.

Sites that offer compensation programmes ("pay-to" sites)

What's the policy?

The term "pay-to" refers to sites that promise payment or incentives to users who click ads, surf the web, read emails or perform other similar tasks. Placing Google ads on such pages may result in invalid impressions or clicks and is therefore prohibited. Similarly, sites which primarily drive traffic to or discuss pay-to services are not permitted to show ads.

Examples

Examples*

Acceptable	Not acceptable
Sites that pay you to complete an action, as long as the action does not involve clicking on ads or artificially inflating ad impressions (Pay-To-Survey sites, Cashback sites) Safelist sites (opt-in groups where users promote their sites over email)	Pay-To-Click Sites Pay-To-Surf Sites Auto-Surf Sites "Search for Charity Sites" Pay-To-Search Sites

* Please note that these examples are not limited to the following.

Additional information

I received a policy notification asking me to make changes to my site in three days

Please read the notification carefully and make any appropriate changes to your site to resolve the issue.
Keep in mind that the example page that we provide is just an example, and you should review your entire site to ensure that the same issue doesn't continue to exist on other pages.
We will automatically review your site again after three working days, so there's no need for you to contact us and inform us of your changes.

Click here for more information.

Ads were disabled on my site

Please carefully review your notification to learn specifically why ad serving was disabled to your site. All policy notifications are sent via email or can be accessed in your AdSense account.
After making any necessary changes to your site, you can request a re-review of your site by filling in this form.

My account was disabled

For more information on why your account was disabled and next steps, please click here.

Sites that use Google Brand features

What's the policy?

The use of Google brand features such as logos, screenshots or other distinctive features without our express permission is not allowed. For more information about use of our trademarks and brand features, please review Google's Guidelines for Third-Party Use of Brand Features.

Examples

Examples*

Not acceptable
Mimic the Google user interface or frame Google services, such as Google Finance or Google News Imply having an affiliation or partnership with Google Primarily offer "get rich quick" or other schemes involving Google products Provide information that helps users circumvent the policies of other Google products Contain Google's trademarked terms in the site's URL

* Please note that these examples are not limited to the following.

Additional information

I received a policy notification asking me to make changes to my site in three days

Please read the notification carefully and make any appropriate changes to your site to resolve the issue.
Keep in mind that the example page that we provide is just an example, and you should review your entire site to ensure that the same issue doesn't continue to exist on other pages.
We will automatically review your site again after three working days, so there's no need for you to contact us and inform us of your changes.

Click here for more information.

Ads were disabled on my site

Please carefully review your notification to learn specifically why ad serving was disabled to your site. All policy notifications are sent via email or can be accessed in your AdSense account.
After making any necessary changes to your site, you can request a re-review of your site by filling in this form.

My account was disabled

For more information on why your account was disabled and next steps, please click here.

Violent content

What's the policy?

Our programme policies don't allow Google ads to be placed on content that contains graphic or gory images such as bloodshed, fight scenes and gruesome or freak accidents. Publishers are responsible for every page on which their ad code appears and for screening any text, images, videos or other media which will appear on a page with Google ads.

Examples

Examples*

Acceptable	Not acceptable
Boxing or martial arts sites	Breaking bones Getting hit by trains/cars Receiving other serious injuries Sites devoted to fight videos Sites with gory videos or images

* Please note that these examples are not limited to the following.

Additional information

I received a policy notification asking me to make changes to my site in three days

Please read the notification carefully and make any appropriate changes to your site to resolve the issue.
Keep in mind that the example page that we provide is just an example, and you should review your entire site to ensure that the same issue doesn't continue to exist on other pages.
We will automatically review your site again after three working days, so there's no need for you to contact us and inform us of your changes.

Click here for more information.

Ads were disabled on my site

Please carefully review your notification to learn specifically why ad serving was disabled to your site. All policy notifications are sent via email or can be accessed in your AdSense account.
After making any necessary changes to your site, you can request a re-review of your site by filling in this form.

My account was disabled

For more information on why your account was disabled and next steps, please click here.

Weapon-related content

What's the policy?

Google ads are not permitted to appear on sites that sell, facilitate or advocate the sales of weapons and weapon accessories. This includes but is not limited to the sales of ammunition, gun parts, hardware, pistols, rifles, BB guns, sporting guns, air guns, blow guns and stun guns. This policy also prohibits the placement of ads on sites which sell explosives, including fireworks.

Examples

Examples*

Acceptable

Not acceptable

Sites that are primarily about the sport of hunting
Sites that sell antique guns, non-working replicas, emergency flares, paintball guns, scopes or holsters
Sites located outside the US that sell Airsoft guns
Sites in the US that sell Airsoft guns and have the appropriate disclaimer on the landing page
Sites which contains content regarding archery or bowhunting
Sites that sell collectible knives, daggers, swords, cutlery, chef's knives or sporting equipment

Sites that sell firearms, ammunition and gun accessories
Sites that catalogue individual firearms
Sites that drive traffic to firearm sales
Sites in the US that sell Airsoft guns and DO NOT have the appropriate disclaimer on the landing page
Sites that sell knives or weapons with an intended violent use
Sites that teach bomb or other explosive-making or give instructions on how to harm or kill
Sites that sell fireworks or pyrotechnic devices

* Please note that these examples are not limited to the following.

Additional information

I received a policy notification asking me to make changes to my site in three days

Please read the notification carefully and make any appropriate changes to your site to resolve the issue.
Keep in mind that the example page that we provide is just an example, and you should review your entire site to ensure that the same issue doesn't continue to exist on other pages.
We will automatically review your site again after three working days, so there's no need for you to contact us and inform us of your changes.

Click here for more information.

Ads were disabled on my site

Please carefully review your notification to learn specifically why ad serving was disabled to your site. All policy notifications are sent via email or can be accessed in your AdSense account.
After making any necessary changes to your site, you can request a re-review of your site by filling in this form.

My account was disabled

For more information on why your account was disabled and next steps, please click here.

AdSense

Policy & traffic quality guidelines

Content policies