Copyrighted content

Our policy

Google restricts the promotion of copyrighted content. If you would like to promote copyrighted content and believe you are legally authorized to do so, you can contact us. To learn more about how we handle copyright-related issues or to submit a copyright-related complaint, use this form.

Examples of what's not allowed

Unauthorized distribution of copyrighted content

 Unauthorized software that captures, copies, provides, or sells access to copyrighted content

• Examples: Software that enables unauthorized selling, streaming, sharing, copying, or downloading of audio guides, e-books, anime, games, movies, mp3 ringtones, music, software, TV shows, works by independent artists, record labels, or other content creators

Facilitating unauthorized offline distribution of copyrighted content

• Examples: Unauthorized physical copies of copyrighted CDs, DVDs, or software

Software, sites, or tools that remove digital rights management (DRM) technology from copyrighted material or otherwise circumvent copyright (irrespective of whether intended use is legitimate or not)

• Examples: Products such as Blu-ray or DVD rippers/burners/converters, that provide access to copyrighted content by stripping or bypassing DRM technology on audio, video, e-books, or software

What you can do

Here's what you can do if your product is disapproved or if your Merchant Center account is impacted:

Product disapproval

Products that don't comply with our policies may be disapproved. When a product is disapproved, it won't be eligible to serve. 

1. Read our policies to learn what we don't allow.
2. Update your website. If your ad or listing leads to content that violates a policy, update your website to meet the requirements and be in compliance with our policies.
3. Remove the violating products from your product data. You’ll receive an email with details about the violation. 
   • If you have products in your product data that violate the policy (or policies), you'll need to remove the offers from your feed.
   • You can also fix product-level issues by editing your product data via your chosen upload method (such as a file) or directly in Merchant Center.
4. Update your product data in Merchant Center. If you created a schedule for automatic uploads, update your product data manually or wait for your product data to be automatically updated before requesting any reviews.

Account disapproval

For most violations, we'll send you a warning email detailing the policy violation and give you 7 or 28 calendar days to fix your issue.

1. Read our policies to learn what we don't allow.
2. Update your website. If your ad or listing leads to content that violates a policy, update your website to meet the requirements and be in compliance with our policies.
3. Remove any violating products from your product data. You’ll receive an email with details about the violation. If you have products in your product data that violate the policy (or policies) you'll need to remove the offers from your feed.
4. Update your data in Merchant Center. 
   • Review your account and submit any missing information or complete any unfinished steps. 
   • If you created a schedule for automatic uploads, update your product data manually or wait for your product data to be automatically updated before requesting any reviews.
5. Request a review of your account.
   • If your account is still within the warning period, it will automatically be reviewed again at the end of the warning period. If the violating products are removed, you won't need to request an account review or take any additional action.
   • If your account is suspended and you've taken actions to resolve the issue, request an account review.

Most accounts are reviewed within 3 business days, but it can take longer if a more complex review is needed. If we find that you've removed the violating products from your product data, we’ll remove the warning. In the case of account suspension, we'll approve your account so your products can start displaying again.

Account issue that limits product visibility

Your account has an issue and is operating with reserved functionality, therefore your products have limited visibility. An email was sent with a notice on what to do and the steps needed to resolve your account issue.

1. Read our policies to learn more about our requirements.
2. Update your website. If your ad or listing leads to content that violates a policy, update your website to meet the requirements and be in compliance with our policies.
3. Fix any other open policy violation in your account. Review your products and your account details. 
   • If products aren’t supported, remove them from your feed.
   • If account details are missing, complete them in Merchant Center. 
4. Request a review of your account.
   • If your Merchant Center account is still within the warning period for certain policies, it will automatically be reviewed again at the end of the warning period. 
   • If your account is affected and you've resolved the issue, request a Merchant Center account review.

Most accounts are reviewed within 3 business days, but it can take longer if a more complex review is needed. If we find that you've removed the violating products from your product data, we’ll remove the warning. In the case of accounts with limited visibility, we'll approve your account so your products can start displaying again without any restrictions.

To ensure a safe and positive experience for customers, Google requires that retailers comply with all applicable laws and regulations in addition to our policies. It's important that you familiarize yourself with and keep up to date on these requirements for the place where your business operates, as well as any other places your ads are shown. When we find content that violates these requirements, we may block it from appearing. In cases of repeated or egregious violations, we may ban you from advertising content with us.