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We take legal requirements and the safety of users very seriously, so advertiser actions that put our users, Google or our partners at risk can lead to an account suspension, which is a ban from using Google Ads. This is essential for us to maintain a healthy and sustainable digital advertising ecosystem with user protection at its core.
Why we suspend accounts
Google Ads policies and Terms and Conditions help create a safe and positive experience for users and advertisers. Accounts may be suspended if we find violations of our policies or the Terms and Conditions.
If we detect an egregious policy violation (defined below), your account will be suspended immediately and without prior warning.
For other policy violations that lead to account suspension, we'll send you a warning to outline the nature of the policy violation and any remedial action that can be taken, in order to comply. This notification will be sent at least seven days prior to suspension action.
On this page
What is an egregious violation?
An egregious violation of the Google Ads policies is a violation so serious that it is unlawful or poses significant harm to our users or our digital advertising ecosystem. Egregious violations often reflect that the advertiser's overall business does not adhere to Google Ads policies or that one violation is so severe that we cannot risk future exposure to our users. Given that egregious violations will result in immediate account suspension, upon detection and without prior warning, we limit these to cases when such action is the only effective method to adequately prevent illegal activity and/or significant user harm.
What happens if an egregious violation is detected?
If we detect an egregious violation, we'll suspend your Google Ads accounts immediately and without prior warning. You will not be allowed to advertise with us again.
How many times can advertisers appeal their account suspension status?
We highly recommend that you appeal the account suspension status only when you have made appropriate changes to comply with our policies and the account is ready for a re-review. If you file too many appeals for the same account suspension, we may not process them to ensure the overall stability of our systems operations. Submitting one appeal at a time ensures timely response and review.
If we have indications that you are misusing our appeals function, we will suspend processing of certain appeals for seven days.
Which policies are considered to be egregious?
Coordinated deceptive practices
Promotion of unauthorised pharmacies
Google Ads policy account suspensions frequently asked questions
How does Google Ads detect policy violations?
We use both automated and human evaluation to detect violations of Google Ads policies. We review information from a variety of sources, including your ads, accounts and content, user complaints, consumer reviews, regulatory warnings and rulings.
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.
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?
No. Accounts related to the suspended account (for example, accounts using the same email or payment method, or accounts linked to the same manager account) will 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 will be suspended.
Can an advertiser access their suspended accounts?
Suspended accounts cannot run any ads. Advertisers can, however, still access 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.