Google Blocks or Removes 5.2 Billion Ads for Policy Violations in 2022
Google has just released its Ads Safety Report, which shows that a whopping 5.2 billion ads were blocked or removed for violating Google’s policies in 2022. This amounts to about 9,000 ads per minute. The report also reveals that Google took action against 6.7 million advertisers for serious policy violations and removed 1.5 billion entire pages.
Google has added, updated, and expanded 29 policies applicable to advertisers and publishers. As part of this effort, Google blocked 17 million ads related to the war in Ukraine, and explicitly banned ads that “exploit, deny, or condone war.” Google also paused its business activities in Russia and pulled state-funded media outlets from monetization programs. Ads from state-funded media sites were also removed.
In the financial services sector, Google now requires advertisers to prove that they are authorized by their local supervisory authority, for example, by Bafin and the Federal Chamber of Tax Advisors in Germany. Additionally, Google now has a policy against climate change denial.
To protect elections, Google has expanded the transparency program. Verified advertising accounts in the US and Brazil have disclosed who pays for their ads, and ads not coming from verified sources will be blocked. Furthermore, Google has expanded regulations for children and young people, and banned ads for dating apps, competitions, sweepstakes, and weight loss products for under-18s.
Users can manage their ads in “My Ads Center”, and information about ads’ placement and other ads placed by the same account is located on “Pages about advertisers.” A new “Ads Transparency Center” directory lists all verified advertisers on Google’s platforms.
Providing a safe and trusted ad experience is critical for Google’s mission to make information universally accessible and usable.
In summary, Google’s Ads Safety Report outlines how the company is taking action to ensure that advertisers and publishers alike comply with the latest policies and guidelines. As the need for more transparency and trust in advertising continues to grow, Google is taking proactive steps to ensure a safe and reliable ad experience.
