Abusing the ad network

Below are some examples of what to avoid in your ads. Learn about what happens if you violate our policies.

Malicious or unwanted software

These requirements apply to your ads and any software that your site or app either hosts or links to, regardless of whether the software is promoted through the Google advertising network. The following is not allowed:

Malicious software or "malware" that may harm or gain unauthorized access to a computer, device, or network

Examples: Computer viruses, ransomware, worms, trojan horses, rootkits, keyloggers, dialers, spyware, rogue security software, and other malicious programs or apps

Ads or destinations that violate Google's Unwanted Software policy

Examples: Failure to be transparent about the functionality that the software provides or the full implications of installing the software; failing to include Terms of Service or an End User License Agreement; bundling software or applications without the user's knowledge; making system changes without the user's consent; making it difficult for users to disable or uninstall the software; failing to properly use publicly available Google APIs when interacting with Google services or products

Troubleshooter: Malicious or unwanted software

1. Check the status of your site in Google Search Console. If you haven’t used Search Console before, enter the URL of your website and click "Add a property" to see its status. You may need to verify that you own the site.

   If Search Console doesn’t report any problems, your site could still have security issues that were detected by Google Ads. Consult with your webmaster or web hosting provider and use tools such as Stop Badware to investigate further. Learn more about how we identify malicious or unwanted software.

2. Remove any malicious or unwanted software. Google provides resources and instructions to help you fix your site through Help for Hacked Websites. If you can’t fix the ad’s destination, update the ad with a new destination that complies with this policy.

3. Edit the ad. This will resubmit the ad and its destination for review.

   Most ads are reviewed within 1 business day, though some can take longer if they need a more complex review.

Unfair advantage

The following is not allowed:

Using the Google Network to gain an unfair traffic advantage over other participants in the auction

Examples: Affiliates that advertise on Google Ads against the applicable affiliate program rules, promoting the same or similar content from multiple accounts on the same or similar queries, trying to show more than one ad at a time for your business, app, or site

Note: Keywords should fit the target audience’s likely intent when searching, and each website or app that you promote should offer distinct value to users. For example, avoid promoting similar products and prices across related destinations.

Circumventing systems

The following is not allowed:

Engaging in practices that attempt to circumvent or interfere with Google's advertising systems and processes

Examples: Cloaking; using dynamic DNS to switch page or ad content; manipulating site content or restricting access to so many of your landing pages that it makes it difficult to meaningfully review your ad, site, or account

We take violations of this policy very seriously, and consider them egregious. Accounts that violate this policy may be suspended and may not be allowed to advertise with us again. If you believe there's been an error, and that you haven’t violated our policy, submit an appeal and explain why. We only reinstate accounts in compelling circumstances, so it's important that you take the time to be thorough, accurate, and honest. Learn more about suspended accounts.

Manipulating ad text in an attempt to bypass our automated system checks

Examples: Misspelling prohibited words or phrases to avoid ad disapproval; manipulating trademark terms in the ad text to avoid the restrictions associated with the use of that trademark

If your account is found to be engaging repeatedly in ad text manipulation, as described above, your account may be suspended.

Troubleshooter: Circumventing systems

It’s possible to have an ad disapproved for violating this policy without having your entire account suspended. This is most common when a word or phrase in the ad appears to be too similar to a prohibited word or a trademarked term that you aren’t authorized to advertise. In this case, simply remove that word or phrase from your ad. Once you edit and save the ad, it will automatically be reviewed and can be approved to run if we find that it no longer violates this policy.

Webmaster Guidelines

The following is not allowed:

Engaging in practices that violate the Google Webmaster Guidelines

Examples: Keyword stuffing, cloaking, sneaky redirects, doorway pages, spamming social network sites