Google provides translated versions of our Help Center, though they are not meant to change the content of our policies. The English version is the official language we use to enforce our policies. To view this article in a different language, use the language dropdown at the bottom of the page.
Display & Video 360 users must comply with this Google Ads policy. Visit the Display & Video 360 help center for additional restrictions.
Advertisers must comply with the local laws and regulations of any area their ads target, in addition to the standard Google Ads policies. Advertisers are expected to familiarize themselves with the local law and regulations for any location their ads target. Learn about what happens if you violate our policies.
Please also note that certain countries, industries and trade associations have their own codes for advertising and marketing. Advertisers on Google should refer to these codes where relevant. You can find a list containing some of these codes here.
Trade sanctions violation
Advertisers must comply with applicable sanctions and export regulations, which includes sanctions administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”), and agree to not cause Google to violate these regulations. You cannot use Ads for or on behalf of restricted entities or individuals. You cannot use Ads for or on behalf of entities or individuals located in sanctioned countries or regions.
In addition, Ads are not available to any entities or individuals that are restricted under applicable trade sanctions and export compliance laws. It is also not available to entities or individuals owned or controlled by or acting for or on behalf of such restricted entities or individuals.
The following is not allowed:
Ad campaigns that geographically target embargoed countries or territories
Note: Google must comply with sanctions imposed by OFAC. Entities and individuals who are restricted cannot create or use a Google Ads account or have Google Ads used on their behalf. People who are located in or ordinarily reside in embargoed countries or territories cannot create or use a Google Ads account. Currently, there are embargoes on Crimea, Cuba, so-called Donetsk People's Republic (DNR) and Luhansk People's Republic (LNR), Iran, North Korea, and Syria.
Ad campaigns that geographically target embargoed countries or territoriesAudiovisual Media Services Directive
For advertisers targeting their ads in the European Union and the UK, this may mean that you need to comply with the requirements of the Audiovisual Media Services Directive (AVMSD) in the form implemented in the targeted country. We have set out Article 9 of the Directive below for reference.
This is not an exhaustive list of local legal requirements in each country, and advertisers are still responsible for researching and complying with local laws where your business operates, and in any region your ads target.
Article 9
1. Member States shall ensure that audiovisual commercial communications provided by media service providers under their jurisdiction comply with the following requirements:(a) audiovisual commercial communications shall be readily recognisable as such; surreptitious audiovisual commercial communication shall be prohibited;
(b) audiovisual commercial communications shall not use subliminal techniques;
(c) audiovisual commercial communications shall not:
(i) prejudice respect for human dignity;(d) all forms of audiovisual commercial communications for cigarettes and other tobacco products, as well as for electronic cigarettes and refill containers shall be prohibited;
(ii) include or promote any discrimination based on sex, racial or ethnic origin, nationality, religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation;
(iii) encourage behaviour prejudicial to health or safety;
(iv) encourage behaviour grossly prejudicial to the protection of the environment;
(e) audiovisual commercial communications for alcoholic beverages shall not be aimed specifically at minors and shall not encourage immoderate consumption of such beverages;
(f) audiovisual commercial communications for medicinal products and medical treatment available only on prescription in the Member State within whose jurisdiction the media service provider falls shall be prohibited;
(g) audiovisual commercial communications shall not cause physical, mental or moral detriment to minors; therefore, they shall not directly exhort minors to buy or hire a product or service by exploiting their inexperience or credulity, directly encourage them to persuade their parents or others to purchase the goods or services being advertised, exploit the special trust minors place in parents, teachers or other persons, or unreasonably show minors in dangerous situations.
Reports of illegal content to Google
Anyone may submit a request to Google to remove illegal content through the Report Content for Legal Reasons Help Center at g.co/legal.
Advertisers whose ads are disapproved as a result of this process may submit an appeal via the legal appeal webform in the email or advertiser user interface notification.
As part of our efforts to remain transparent, a copy of each legal request we receive may be sent to the Lumen project for publication. Advertisers can find information on complaints made against their ads on Lumen by searching the relevant Ads URL.
Advertisers may also reach out to Google Ads Support if they have other questions about legal removal requests. We encourage advertisers to first resolve this matter directly with the claimant who submitted the legal notice.
Access our Transparency Report for additional data on the requests we receive from copyright owners and governments to remove information from our products.