About Google Ads policy account suspensions

How does Google Ads detect policy violations?

We use a combination of Google's AI and human evaluation to detect and remove ads and accounts which violate our policies and are harmful to users and the overall Google Ads ecosystem. Our enforcement technologies use Google's AI, modeled on human reviewers’ decisions, to help protect our users and keep our ad platforms safe. The policy-violating content is either blocked from serving by our automated models or, where a more nuanced determination is required, it is flagged for further review by trained operators and analysts who conduct content evaluations that might be difficult for algorithms to perform alone, for example because an understanding of the context of the ad and account is required. The results of these manual reviews are then used to help build training data to further improve our machine learning models.

We take action on ads that violate our policies. This may include disapproving ads so they don’t serve, and suspending or pausing accounts for repeat or egregious violations. We take repeat violations of our policies seriously and continue to expand a strike system for repeat offenders.

In determining whether an advertiser or destination is violating our policies, we review information from a variety of sources, including ads, accounts, websites, content, user complaints, consumer reviews, regulatory warnings and rulings, and other third-party sources.

Are there any other policy violations that can lead to an account suspension?

Yes. Violations of any Google Ads policy can lead to an account suspension. If an advertiser violates a Google Ads advertising policy, we'll send a warning to outline the nature of the policy violation and any remedial action that can be taken, in order to comply. At that time, the advertiser will be given an opportunity to remedy the violation or, if they do not believe that they have violated the policy, explain why they do not believe they are in violation of the policy. This notification will be sent at least seven days prior to suspension action.

Are there any other non policy reasons that can lead to an account suspension?

Yes. You can learn more of other reasons for account suspensions here.

How will an advertiser be notified of a suspension?

Advertisers whose accounts are suspended will receive an in-account notification, as well as an email notification. The email notification will identify all policies the advertiser has been suspended for violating and a link to submit an appeal.

Do account suspensions apply globally?

All Google Ads accounts, irrespective of location, may be subject to account suspensions if found to be in violation of our policies or Terms and Conditions. Suspended accounts are prohibited from serving and showing ads in all locations.

How long is the Google Ads account suspended for?

Once the Google Ads account is suspended, this is considered permanent unless the appeal is submitted and the account is successfully reinstated. All advertisers have at least six months from the date of account suspension to submit an appeal.

Can an account suspension be appealed?

Yes. If you believe that there’s been an error, and that you haven’t violated our policies, submit an appeal. To appeal multiple suspensions for your accounts and related accounts, please submit a separate appeal for each suspended account. In each appeal, include any relevant information and an explanation of why you believe the suspension is incorrect. If your account was suspended because other accounts verified using the same identity documents were suspended, your account will be automatically reinstated once those other accounts are successfully appealed.

Before appealing, please ensure that all linked (or previously linked) and all related accounts comply with Google's policies, as outlined in our Terms of Service.

Certain selected advertisers must complete advertiser verification successfully in order to appeal their account suspension. If we are unable to verify their identity after three attempts, they will not be allowed to appeal their account suspension.

We only reinstate accounts in compelling circumstances, such as in the case of a mistake, so it's important that you take the time to be thorough, accurate and honest.

Can a suspended advertiser set up or use other accounts?

Accounts related to the suspended account (for example, accounts using the same email or payment method, accounts linked to the same manager account, accounts associated with the same verified identity and/or verified with the same identity documents) may be suspended. We take the safety of users very seriously, so advertiser actions that put our users, Google or our partners at risk result in a ban from using Google Ads. In addition any new accounts that the advertiser tries to create may also be suspended. We highly recommend that advertisers reinstate all the suspended ads accounts first, before attempting to create new accounts.

Can an advertiser access their suspended accounts?

Suspended accounts cannot run any ads. Advertisers can, however, still view their suspended accounts and any associated reports.

How to request a refund

If your account was suspended, and you qualify for a refund, you can always cancel your account and receive your refund.