About Google ads
As you browse the internet, use mobile apps, read your email, or shop online, you see ads. Google shows ads on Google products like Search, YouTube, and Gmail. Google's ad network also shows ads on 2+ million non-Google websites and apps. It is one of many ad networks that can personalize ads based on your online activity.
In this article
- Control Google ad personalization
- Google and advertising standards
- Leave feedback on the ad or website you just saw
Control Google ad personalization
The way Google saves your ad settings has changed. Learn more about how Google uses cookies for ad personalization
Ads that Google shows can be personalized based on many factors, like the types of websites you visit or mobile apps you've installed. If ad personalization is off, ads may still use non-personal data, such as your general location or the topics on the website or app you're looking at.
Where personalization comes from
- Types of websites you visit, and mobile apps you have on your device
- Cookies on your browser and the settings in your Google Account
- Websites and apps you’ve visited that belong to businesses that advertise with Google
- Your activity on another device
- Previous interactions with Google’s ads or advertising services
- Your Google Account activity and information
You can control how Google personalizes Google ads, or turn off personalization of Google ads, at Ad Settings.
Important
When showing you personalized ads, Google will not associate an identifier from cookies or similar technologies with sensitive categories, such as those based on race, religion, sexual orientation, or health.
Google never sells your personal information to anyone. Learn more about privacy
Mobile controls
Ads can be personalized based on the device or app you're using. You can turn on or off this personalization though your device’s or app’s settings. These settings apply to apps that use your mobile device’s advertising identifier or in-app controls.
In the YouTube app on your Apple device
When you turn off ad personalization in your YouTube app, Google won’t personalize ads in the app on this device. Ads will be based on general factors like the time of day or the topic of a video.
To turn off personalized ads in your YouTube app:
- Select Account.
- Select Settings.
- Scroll to "History & Privacy".
- If you're signed-in, select Ad Settings
Ad personalization is ON.
- If you're not signed-in, turn off Allow personalized ads.
- If you're signed-in, select Ad Settings
Ad personalization is ON.A few notes:
- If you do not see Allow personalized ads or the Ad Settings link in your YouTube app’s settings, you can turn off personalized ads in your Apple device settings or via Ad Settings, if you’re signed in.
- The default setting for personalized ads may be based on factors like your previous device settings and region.
- Changes you make when you’re signed-out don’t apply when you're signed-in.
Learn more about how to reset your advertiser identifier.
iOS 14
Turn on Allow Apps to Request to Track to allow apps to show you more relevant, personalized ads.
- On your iPhone or iPad, open Settings.
- Tap Privacy
- Turn on Allow Apps to Request to Track.
When you turn off “Allow Apps to Request to Track,” the YouTube app and other apps that partner with Google to show ads will not use your advertising identifier to personalize ads for you when you’re not signed in.
iOS 13.7 or older
Turn off Limit Ad Tracking to allow apps to show you more relevant, personalized ads.
- On your iPhone or iPad, open Settings.
- Tap Privacy
- Turn off Limit Ad Tracking.
When you turn on “Limit Ad Tracking,” the YouTube app and other apps that partner with Google to show ads will not use your advertising identifier to personalize ads for you when you’re not signed in.
You may want to reset your advertising identifier if the ads you are seeing are no longer relevant to your interests. Resetting the advertising identifier on your iPhone or iPad creates a new identifier, which is distinct from your previous identifier. Resetting your advertiser identifier does not disable or prevent personalized ads.
iOS 14
Turning off and then on Apple’s “Allow Apps to Request to Track” feature resets your advertising identifier if no apps have permission to track.
- On your iPhone or iPad, open Settings.
- Tap Privacy
- Turn off Allow Apps to Request to Track.
- If any apps have permission to track, a notification will appear: tap Ask Apps to Stop Tracking.
- If any apps have permission to track, turn off each app.
- Turn on Allow Apps to Request to Track.
iOS 13.7 or older
- On your iPhone or iPad, open Settings.
- Tap Privacy
- Tap Reset Advertising Identifier…
- Tap Reset Identifier.
Google and advertising standards
Google's ad network is one of over 100 online ad networks that show you ads on sites and apps. Google participates in industry groups, like the Digital Advertising Alliance and the Network Advertising Initiative, that develop and follow standards in online advertising. Where required (for example, the DAA and the NAI) Google adheres to those groups' codes of conduct and/or self-regulatory principles.
You may have noticed the AdChoices icon , which appears on ads shown by any ad network participating in the Digital Advertising Alliance. Industry groups vary by location.
| Group | Location |
|---|---|
| Australian Digital Advertising Alliance | Australia |
| Digital Advertising Alliance (DAA) | United States |
| Digital Advertising Alliance of Canada | Canada |
| European Digital Advertising Alliance | Europe |
| Network Advertising Initiative | United States |