What To Do If Your Google Ads Account Suspended

While there are many potential infractions that can lead to Google Ads suspensions, some specific violations result in more frequent suspensions and bans. If you find your Google Ads account suspended for no reason, it might be due to one of these common issues:

Suspicious Payments

One of the frequent reasons for a Google Ads account suspension is suspicious payments. This issue arises when Google detects unusual or unauthorised payment activity on your account. To prevent this issue, consider the following:

• Use Valid Payment Methods:
  • Ensure that your payment methods are valid and up-to-date.
  • Regularly verify your billing information for any discrepancies.
• Monitor Payment Activity:
  • Keep an eye on your account for any unusual or unauthorised transactions.
  • Address any issues with your bank or payment provider promptly.
• Implement Security Measures:
  • Use secure payment gateways to protect your transactions.
  • Enable notifications for payment activities to catch any suspicious actions early.

By taking these precautions, you can minimise the risk of having your Google Ads account suspended due to suspicious payment activities.

Trademark Violations

Using another company’s trademarks improperly frequently triggers Google Ads suspensions. This includes:

• Keyword stuffing with other brand names
• Bidding on competitors’ trademarks as keywords
• Using trademarks misleadingly in ad copy
• Making unsubstantiated comparative claims about competitors

Avoiding trademark conflicts requires carefully vetting ad copy, keywords, and landing pages.

Counterfeit Products

Promoting or facilitating the sale of counterfeit goods will cause Google Ads accounts to be banned swiftly and permanently. This can result in your Google Ads account being suspended for no apparent reason at first glance. Avoid:

• Selling fake replicas of luxury, tech, or patented products
• Directing users to sites selling inauthentic goods
• Making it difficult to discern the authenticity of products

Google Ads has a zero-tolerance policy for advertising counterfeits.

Inappropriate Content

Google does not tolerate ads that direct users to landing pages with inappropriate or offensive content. To avoid this, ensure your ads and landing pages comply with Google’s content policies:

• Avoid Prohibited Content:
  • Do not include sexually explicit material, hate speech, or violent content. Check here to know more about Adult Content Policy
  • Refrain from promoting discrimination, illegal activities, or misleading information.
• Adhere to Google’s Guidelines:
  • Regularly review Google’s advertising policies to ensure compliance.
  • Make necessary adjustments to your ads and landing pages to align with these guidelines.
• Maintain Quality and Relevance:
  • Ensure that the content on your landing pages is relevant to your ads.
  • Provide a positive user experience by offering valuable and appropriate information.

Following these guidelines will help you avoid suspensions related to inappropriate content.

Misrepresentation

Misrepresentation involves deceptive practices like misleading or unrealistic promotions, which can lead to your Google Ads account being suspended. These include:

• Luring users to sites under false pretences
• Having ad/landing page content mismatch
• Promising products, services, or outcomes that can’t be delivered

Any type of egregious bait-and-switch practices or blatantly misleading users will raise red flags and can result in a Google Ads account suspended misrepresentation notice.

Invalid Clicks

Generating invalid clicks is a serious violation that can lead to a Google Ads account suspension. Invalid clicks can arise from various activities, including click spam and bot traffic. To prevent this, follow these practices:

• Monitor Traffic Sources:
  • Keep track of where your clicks are coming from.
  • Identify and block sources of invalid traffic.
• Implement Click Fraud Protection:
  • Use click fraud detection software to safeguard your campaigns.
  • Regularly analyse click patterns to identify suspicious activity.
• Maintain Transparency:
  • Ensure that your ads are not incentivising users to click without genuine interest.
  • Avoid any practices that may artificially inflate your click-through rates (CTR).

By maintaining transparency and monitoring traffic, you can avoid the repercussions of generating invalid clicks.

Privacy Violations 

Respecting users privacy is paramount. Google Ads infractions like:

• omission of relevant information
• Sharing or selling data without consent  
• Collecting personally identifiable information deceptively
• Targeting minors with adult content promotions can create serious problems with account suspensions.

Policy Violations

Adhering to Google Ads’ strict policies is crucial to avoid suspensions. Common policy violations include promoting prohibited content, circumventing systems, and enabling dishonest behaviour. Here’s how to stay compliant:

• Understand Prohibited Content:
  • Familiarise yourself with Google’s list of prohibited content.
  • Ensure your ads do not promote illegal products or services.
• Avoid Circumventing Systems:
  • Do not attempt to manipulate Google’s ad review process.
  • Refrain from using tactics that bypass Google’s ad serving controls.
• Promote Honest Behaviour:
  • Ensure your ads are truthful and not misleading.
  • Provide accurate information about your products or services.
• Regularly Review Policies:
  • Stay updated on changes to Google’s advertising policies.
  • Conduct regular audits of your ads to ensure ongoing compliance.

By following these guidelines, you can minimise the risk of policy violations and keep your Google Ads account in good standing.