Misrepresentation

Ads or destinations that deceive users by excluding relevant product information or providing misleading information about products, services, and businesses can compromise user trust in the Google Ads platform. The Misrepresentation policy strives to ensure that ads are clear, honest, and provide information that users need to make informed decisions.

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

Unacceptable business practices

The following isn't allowed:

Scamming users by hiding or misrepresenting info about your business, products or services is not allowed. This means you can’t:

Make it seem like you’re supported by another brand, organization or government entity when you’re not

Offer products or services that you don't have or can't deliver, including not having the right licenses or qualifications

Lie about services that could put people's health or safety at risk, like pretending to provide medical help when you don't

Impersonating other brands or businesses in your ads or on your website to hide your identity or imply connections or qualifications

Learn more about the Unacceptable business practices policy.

Violations of this policy are taken very seriously and are considered egregious. An egregious violation of the Google Ads policies is a violation so serious that it is unlawful or poses significant harm to our users. In determining whether an advertiser or destination is violating this policy, Google may review information from multiple sources including your ad, website, accounts, and third-party sources. If violations of this policy are found, your Google Ads accounts will be suspended upon detection and without prior warning, and you will not be allowed to advertise with Google Ads again. If you believe there's been an error, and that you haven’t violated our policy, submit an appeal and explain why. Accounts are only reinstated in compelling circumstances, and when there is good reason so it's important that you take the time to be thorough, accurate, and honest. Learn more about suspended accounts .

Coordinated deceptive practices

Coordinating with other sites or accounts and concealing or misrepresenting your identity or other material details about yourself, where your content relates to politics, social issues, or matters of public concern is not allowed.

Directing content about politics, social issues, or matters of public concern to users in a country other than your own, if you misrepresent or conceal your country of origin, or other material details about yourself is not allowed.

Learn more about the Coordinated deceptive practices policy.

Violations of this policy are taken very seriously and are considered egregious. An egregious violation of the Google Ads policies is a violation so serious that it is unlawful or poses significant harm to our users. In determining whether an advertiser or destination is violating this policy, Google may review information from multiple sources including your ad, website, accounts, and third-party sources. If violations of this policy are found, your Google Ads accounts will be suspended upon detection and without prior warning, and you will not be allowed to advertise with Google Ads again. If you believe there's been an error, and that you haven’t violated our policy, submit an appeal and explain why. Accounts are only reinstated in compelling circumstances, and when there is good reason so it's important that you take the time to be thorough, accurate, and honest. Learn more about suspended accounts .

Misleading representation

Making misleading statements, obscuring, or omitting material information about your identity, affiliations, or qualifications is not allowed.

Providing an inaccurate business name or business name that does not clearly represent the advertised business or disambiguates from similar businesses in the ad or user interactions is not allowed.

Learn more about the Misleading representation policy.

Dishonest pricing practices

Failure to clearly and conspicuously disclose the payment model or full expense that a user will bear is not allowed.

Advertising products or services as free when they are chargeable is not allowed.

Learn more about the Dishonest pricing practices policy.

Clickbait ads

Ads that use clickbait tactics or sensationalist text or imagery to drive traffic are not allowed.

Ads that use negative life events such as death, accidents, illness, arrests or bankruptcy to induce fear, guilt or other strong negative emotions to pressure the viewer to take immediate action are not allowed.

Learn more about the Clickbait ads policy.

Misleading ad design

Ads that make it difficult for the user to understand they are interacting with an ad are not allowed.

Learn more about the Misleading ad design policy.

Manipulated media

Manipulating media to deceive, defraud, or mislead others is not allowed.

Learn more about the Manipulated media policy.

Unreliable claims

Making inaccurate claims or claims that entice the user with an improbable result (even if this result is possible) as the likely outcome a user can expect is not allowed.

Learn more about the Unreliable claims policy.

Unclear relevance

Promotions that are not relevant to the destination are not allowed.

Learn more about the Unclear relevance policy.

Unavailable offers

Promising products, services, or promotional offers in the ad that are unavailable or aren't easily found from the destination is not allowed.

Learn more about the Unavailable offers policy.

Need help?

If you have questions about our policies, contact Google Ads Support .

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