Google cracks down on ad policy violators with harsh new penalties

Google is set to update its third-party policy in November 2024, introducing severe consequences for those enabling significant or sustained policy violations.

Details:

• New penalties target third parties that enable significant or sustained policy violations.
• Consequences may include:
  • Loss of privileges.
  • Removal from Google third-party programs (e.g., Google Partners).
  • Account suspension.

Why it matters: The move aims to maintain the integrity of Google’s advertising ecosystem and discourage non-compliant behavior among third-party partners. As a result, third-party ad tech providers and app developers must ensure compliance to avoid losing access to Google Ads, potentially impacting their ability to reach audiences and maintain ad campaigns.

The catch. Violators’ Google Ads accounts will be suspended immediately upon detection, without warning, and permanently banned from advertising on the platform.

Zoom in. The policy update also addresses specific issues with AdMob and AdSense:

• Apps offering compensation for ad clicks, web surfing, or email reading are prohibited.
• Google ads can’t be placed on apps that incentivize these activities.
• Apps promoting or providing instructions for such services are also banned.

The big picture. This strict stance reflects Google’s ongoing efforts to combat invalid ad impressions and clicks, ensuring a more trustworthy advertising environment.

What to watch. How this policy update will impact the broader ecosystem of third-party ad tech providers, agencies and app developers working with Google’s advertising platforms.

The bottom line. Third-party partners and app developers need to prioritize compliance with Google Ads policies or risk severe and permanent consequences.