PPC

Google investigating ‘confusing ad text’ error impacting ad campaigns

Google Ads is currently investigating error messages related to “confusing ad text” and other content quality labels.

While affected users can still access the platform, they will experience error messages, high latency, or other unexpected behaviors.

Why we care. If your campaign is affected by these issues, rest assured that the problem is on Google Ads’ end, and the platform is actively working on a solution as a top priority.

Error message. Google Ads and SEO specialist Adriaan Dekker shared a screenshot of the confusing text error message on X:

Gogole Ads Confusing Text

Delays. Google is experiencing a backlog of self-service appeals concerning the Confusing Ad Text and other content quality labels error messages. A statement confirmed that staff are actively working on resolving these issues as a priority.

When will the issue be resolved? Google confirmed that it will provide “more information shortly.” However, an exact time and date have not been specified.

What Google is saying. If you’re an advertiser affected by this error, and you have time-sensitive campaigns, Google suggests taking specific steps until the issue is resolved on their end:

  • “The only known work-around at this time is for an advertiser to upload new assets / edit existing assets to replace those that are currently labeled. E.g. The text asset labeled for Confusing Text ‘Buy this now’ could be edited to ‘Buy this today’ and the new asset will not be labeled.”

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Deep dive. Read Google’ announcement in full for more information.

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Adriaan Dekker Google Google Ads Online advertising Search engine optimization Software bug X
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Editorial disclosure

Contributing authors are chosen for their expertise and work under the oversight of the editorial staff. Search Engine Land is owned by Semrush. The contributor was not asked to mention Semrush; the opinions expressed are their own.

About the author

Nicola Agius

Director of SEO and Discover, Reach PLC

Nicola Agius is the Director of SEo and Discover at Reach PLC. Previously, she was Paid Media Editor of Search Engine Land from 2023-2024. She covered paid media, retail media and more. Before this, she was SEO Director at Jungle Creations (2020-2023), overseeing the company's editorial strategy for multiple websites. She has over 15 years of experience in journalism and has previously worked at OK! Magazine (2010-2014), Mail Online (2014-2015), Mirror (2015-2017), Digital Spy (2017-2018) and The Sun (2018-2020). She also previously teamed up with SEO agency Blue Array to co-author Amazon bestselling book Mastering In-House SEO.