Display & Video 360 users must comply with this Google Ads policy. Visit the Display & Video 360 help center for additional restrictions.
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On this page
- Government documents and official services
- Free desktop software
- Event ticket sale
- Third-party consumer technical support
- Solicitation of funds
- High Fat Sugar Salt Food and Beverage Ads
- Local services
- Consumer advisories
- Call directory, forwarding, and recording services
- Bail bond services
- Dating and companionship services
- Dating Services Japan
- Regional restrictions
Learn more about the “Eligible (Limited)” status.
Government documents and official services
Only certified governments and authorized providers may run ads that promote direct acquisition of specific government documents and services.
Government documents and services are official documents issued by the government and official services rendered by the government.
An authorized provider is an advertiser that has explicit permission from a government to provide a specific government document or service. To become an authorized provider, your domain must be linked from an official government website and explicitly referenced as authorized by that government to provide a specific government document or service. If you are a private business or non-government provider, your ads may be restricted or disapproved. To resolve these issues:
- Determine your eligibility: Review the policy to see if you are considered a "Non-government provider" or if your services are "Out of scope" (such as editorial content or consultancy).
- Update your landing page: Clearly disclose that you are a private entity and not affiliated with any government. If you charge fees for services available for free or less from the government, you must disclose this and provide a link to the official government site.
- Complete advertiser verification: Ensure you have completed the "Advertiser Identity Verification" (AIV) process in your Google Ads account settings, as this is often required for certifications.
- Apply for certification: Non-government providers of in-scope services (like visas or passports) must apply for "Government Documents and Services" certification through the Google Ads Certifications help page.
- Request an exclusion: If your services are purely editorial, educational, or consultancy-based and do not facilitate the direct acquisition of government documents, you can submit a request for "Policy Exclusion" by providing a formal warranty.
Learn more about the Government documents and official services policy.
Free desktop software
Google Ads restricts the promotion of free desktop software. To advertise free desktop software or free trials of paid software (such as browser extensions or desktop applications), you must apply to be certified as an authoritative distribution source and ensure each ad explicitly includes the specific name of the software.
To resolve ad disapprovals related to this policy and certify your account, follow these steps:
- Verify ad content: Ensure every ad promoting the software includes the name of the software in the headlines or descriptions. Rejections often occur when the software name is missing.
- Check landing page compliance: Verify that your landing page is the authoritative distribution source. The site must be active, accessible, and free of malware, bundled software, or unauthorized third-party toolbars.
- Submit the certification form: Complete the 'Software Publisher Declaration' or 'Free Desktop Software' application form via the Google Ads Help Center. You will need to provide your Google Ads Customer ID, the software name, and the authoritative distribution domain (for example, your website URL).
- Wait for processing: Google will review your site and account, which typically takes a few business days.
- Resubmit ads: After receiving confirmation of certification, wait 24 hours for the system to update. Then, sign in to your Google Ads account to resubmit your disapproved ads or appeals. Certified ads will display an 'Eligible (limited)' status, meaning they are approved to serve for the certified domain.
Learn more about the Free desktop software policy.
Event ticket sale
Promotion of live event ticket sales is only allowed if you have confirmation of eligibility from Google. To obtain confirmation of eligibility, your ad’s destinations may need to meet specific requirements.
Learn more about the Event ticket sale policy.
Third-party consumer technical support
Technical support for consumer technology products and online services provided by third-party providers is not allowed.
Learn more about the Third-party customer technical support policy.
Solicitation of funds
Soliciting funds or donations is only allowed when done on behalf of a politician, political party, or tax-exempt charity. The ad’s destination must clearly indicate the tax-exempt status by including a charity number or a tax exemption number.
Learn more about the Solicitation of funds policy.
High Fat Sugar Salt Food and Beverage Ads
Google Ads restricts the promotion of High Fat Sugar Salt (HFSS) Food and Beverage (F&B) in the United Kingdom and European Union on the Google Display Network and Youtube.
Learn more about the High Fat Sugar Salt Food and Beverage Ads policy.
Local services
Some locations have restrictions for ads promoting local services or require that you complete advanced verification before your ads can run.
Learn more about the Local Services policy.
Consumer advisories
Consumer advisories are alerts that provide information about the risks and benefits of certain products and services. Google may limit how ads are served for businesses where consumer advisories are common.
Learn more about the Consumer advisories policy.
Call directory, forwarding, and recording services
Promotions for call directory, forwarding, and recording services are not allowed.
Learn more about the Call directory, forwarding and recording services policy.
Bail bond services
Promotion of bail bonds services that offer to act as surety in order to secure bail for a defendant is not allowed.
Learn more about the Bail bond services policy.
Dating services Japan
You must apply to advertise online dating services that target Japan. Your ads are also required to include a warning display "18禁" or “18+”.
In addition to Japan-specific requirements, you must obtain a general certification for dating and companionship services as outlined in the section above.
Learn more about the Dating services Japan policy.
Regional restrictions
Need help?
If you have questions about the policies, review the policy guidelines and examples provided or contact Google Ads Support.