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Ads across the Google Network should be useful, varied, relevant, and safe for users. Google Ads doesn't allow advertisers to run ads, content, or destinations that attempt to trick or circumvent our ad review processes.
Learn more about the Abusing the ad network policy.
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Software that your site or app hosts or links to should provide a positive experience for users. Google’s Unwanted Software policy provides a few basic characteristics of software that are potentially harmful to the user experience which are listed below:
- It is deceptive, promising a value proposition that it does not meet.
- It tries to trick users into installing it or it piggybacks on the installation of another program.
- It doesn’t tell the user about all of its principal and significant functions.
- It affects the user’s system in unexpected ways.
- It is difficult to remove.
- It collects or transmits private information without the user’s knowledge.
- It is bundled with other software and its presence is not disclosed.
The following scenarios would lead to disapproval for Unwanted software:
There is no clear description of the product in your ad or a landing page
Examples (non-exhaustive): No information about the product type (app, extension, software) in the ad or landing page; failure to be transparent about the functionality that the software provides; description of the functionality of the software differs from the actual functionality
Examples (non-exhaustive): Making system changes or changes to the browser settings without the user’s consent and knowledge; making it difficult for users to disable or uninstall the software; failing to include Terms of Service or an End User License Agreement; bundling software or applications without the user’s knowledge; transmitting private information without the user’s knowledge
Options to fix
Fix the ad or ad destination
Confirm that the ad contains both a product type and one line accurate description about the functionality of the product.
Make sure that the ad destination mentions the product type, includes an accurate one line description about the functionality of the product and clearly explains the full results of installing the software, including possible changes to the users’ browser or settings. Disclosures or disclaimers about the full implications of installing the software must be conspicuous, located in a prominent position with reasonably large font size, and written in a simple and clear manner that is easily understood by all users, especially those who are not proficient in computers or technology.
Appeal the policy decision
Editing the ad will resubmit the ad and its destination for review. In case changes have been made to only the landing page, appeal those ads using the "Made changes to comply with policy" button.
If you believe that we’ve made an error, appeal the policy decision directly from your Google Ads account using the "Dispute" button in the Policy Manager. After confirming that both the ad and ad destination are allowed, your ads can be approved.