Paid Campaigns (PPC)3 minutes of readingWhat's not allowed on Google Ads? List of prohibited content and practices security mistakes google campaign guide advertising Maximilian MelionApril 26 2018 (updated November 12, 2025) Contents ContentsYou are now reading:What's not allowed on Google Ads? List of prohibited content and practicesProhibited Advertising on Google Ads – The Complete GuideCloseWhat can't be advertised on Google Adwords? Want your ad to be visible in Google's advertising system? Please remember that not all products and services are eligible for advertising. Google AdsSome industries are subject to certain restrictions by Google. AdWords divides products and services into fully permitted, restricted, and prohibited. Some restrictions result from local law. Google places great importance on local legislation, so we won't be able to advertise some products permitted in Germany, for example, in Poland, and vice versa. Police radar detection devices are prohibited in Poland, so we won't be able to launch a product campaign for such equipment. Guidelines covering the legal requirements for Google AdWords campaigns can be found at this address. Advertising activities in the Google advertising system should therefore begin by familiarizing ourselves with Adwords rules. Banned ads on Google Adwords and familiarizing yourself with the guidelines will allow you not to waste valuable time on possible rejections. Prohibited content In Adwords it is strictly forbidden promoting counterfeit productsAny product bearing a trademark or logo that is, in whole or in part, identical to another product's trademark is considered counterfeit. Google uses this method to ensure that internet users using ads are not misled by dishonest sellers. Google Adwords prohibits advertising of any kind. dangerous products and services, so we can forget about advertising things like weapons, psychoactive substances, or fireworks. Interestingly, Google's advertising system also prohibits bars offering hookahs and e-cigarettes. All services and products that facilitate smoking are prohibited by AdWords. Shops offering self-defense tools like pepper spray or stun guns can also be omitted. Google firmly opposes companies that facilitate dishonest behavior in its advertising system. Any services that intentionally mislead others, such as document forgery, are completely excluded from AdWords promotion. Those writing theses for students can also expect Google to sanction their campaigns by blocking them, although experience shows that some ads promoting these services are displayed to users without significant issues. Google cares about the comfort of all internet users, so any content is not allowed inciting hatred and/ or discriminating against a social group. Prohibited Practices – What Does Google Not Allow? Google's Display Network won't support ads that direct to a site where malware has been detected. AdWords also won't allow you to mask the actual landing page address. Landing pages that encourage users to engage in specific behavior, collect their personal data, are misleading, and do not provide information about the offer may also result in the campaign being blocked. Google, out of concern for the comfort of Internet users, may block advertisements for websites containing a large number of pop-ups, gifs or background music that disrupt the functionality of the website. When clicking on an advertising network banner, we can also rest assured that we won't be redirected directly to a file download page. Ads from websites that directly link to other websites or those containing more advertising space than valuable content will not be accepted in the AdWords environment.Restricted Content Google has been strongly restricting the possibility of promoting for some time now erotic content in the AdWords advertising system, however, some erotic products and services will still appear in the Search Network and Google Shopping. Ads for dating sites and erotic accessories will appear in AdWords, but we must ensure that the website does not contain any images depicting sexual acts. Uncensored photographs of nude models may also result in an AdWords ad being blocked. The previously mentioned restrictions related to local law are particularly visible in the case of restrictions on promotion alcohols in Google Adwords. In Poland, we won't see any ads for alcoholic beverages in either the search network, the display network, or Google Shopping. We cannot advertise on Google unless we have the appropriate licenses for a given copyrighted product. Polish law also prohibits advertising of companies dealing with gamblingIn Poland, AdWords ads for casinos and online gambling games, such as online poker, will not be displayed. Google also blocks ads for games promising quick earnings. Pharmaceutical and healthcare advertising is also subject to significant restrictions. Pharmaceutical manufacturers with appropriate certification from Google are permitted to advertise in Poland, but running an online pharmacy, for example, will not run a Google AdWords campaign. Google ensures that the AdWords advertising system does not promote any unapproved substances. Clinics offering aesthetic medicine treatments often encounter problems. Often, if the words "Botox" or "hyaluronic acid" appear on a landing page, the ad (especially on the Display Network) may be blocked by Google. Summary Google's advertising system is a powerful and extremely effective promotional channel. However, when planning advertising activities in AdWords, it's important to remember that not all products and services can be advertised on Google AdWords. If your business is subject to restrictions in Google's advertising system, there are methods you can use to avoid ad blocking. In such cases, it's also worth considering positioning your website in organic search results. Verseo will prepare a dedicated digital marketing strategy for your industry!SummaryThe above article covers the following topics:Content subject to advertising bans or restrictions on Google AdwordsRelated Articles SEM advertising – what is it and why is it worth investing in? SEM is one of the oldest internet marketing terms, but its scope in 2026 looks completely different than it did a few […] Facebook Ads or Google Ads? Choose the platform that suits your product. 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