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.
We abide by local trademark laws and protect the rights of trademark owners, so we don’t allow ads that infringe trademark rights. However, advertisers may use trademarks that belong to others in certain situations as described below, such as when they are identifying a product that they resell. If a trademark owner submits a complaint to Google about the use of their trademark in Google Ads ads, we will review it and may restrict use of the trademark.
Trademarks policy criteria
When reviewing a trademark owner complaint, we consider all of the below criteria to determine whether to restrict use of the trademark in ads.
Where in the ad the trademark is used
The trademark must be used in the ad (and not only on the ad’s landing page).
We will not restrict:
- Use of trademarks as keywords
- Trademarks that are used in the second-level domain of the ad’s display URL
How the trademark is used
We will restrict:
- If the trademark is used in an ad from a direct competitor
- If the ad is using the trademark in a confusing, deceptive, or misleading way
We will not restrict:
-
If the landing page of the ad using the trademark is primarily dedicated to selling (or clearly facilitating the sale of) products or services, components, replacement parts, or compatible products or services corresponding to the trademark
-
The ad’s landing page must clearly provide a way to purchase the products or services and display commercial information about them, such as rates or prices.
-
The ad and landing page must be clear as to whether the advertiser is a reseller or informational site.
-
- If the primary purpose of the landing page of the ad using the trademark is to provide informative details about products or services corresponding to the trademark, or an index of search results related to the trademark
- If the ad is using the trademark descriptively in its ordinary meaning
Submit a trademark complaint
If you are a trademark owner and would like to submit a trademark complaint, see how to report content on Google.
If after reviewing a complaint we determine that we should restrict use of the trademark in an ad, we generally will apply the restrictions on an ongoing basis in any ads that use the same second-level domain in their final URL.
Appeal a Trademarks policy restriction
Advertisers who believe their ads are incorrectly restricted under this policy may submit an appeal by following the instructions in the notifications associated with those restrictions. Where an advertiser’s account features ads that violate the policy as well as those that do not, they may delete the violating ads and submit an appeal to lift the restriction on the non-violating ads. However, if that same advertiser later creates new ads that violate the policy, any subsequent trademark restrictions generally will be maintained regardless of changes to the advertiser’s account.
Trademark complaints submitted prior to July 24, 2023
Some ads may be restricted due to trademark complaints submitted prior to July 24, 2023. As described in the Google Ads policy change log, those restrictions will be phased out through 2024. Advertisers may submit an appeal by following the instructions in the notifications associated with the restrictions, or the trademark owner may authorize the advertiser’s account by completing the Third Party Authorization Request form.
If you have additional questions after carefully reviewing this policy page, you may utilize our Google Ads Trademark Troubleshooter to help direct you to the correct resources.