How To Prevent Policy Violations in Google Ad Manager?

Policy violations in Google Ad Manager are a serious issue. App publishers are bound to monitor ads, content, and traffic to abide by the policies set forth by Google. Regularly, Google scans publishers’ accounts and ad creatives for policy violations. The aim is to prevent malware in ad content and create a reliable advertising ecosystem for publishers and advertisers.

Google Ad Manager accounts are temporarily paused or permanently deactivated if Google detects a policy violation. Most app publishers ensure not to violate any of Google’s policies. However, no matter how hard app publishers may try, breaches occur! So, why does this happen?

In this article, let’s look at what is considered a policy violation. How can you prevent it efficiently? And how can you fix ads with policy violations?

Factors Considered as Policy Violations in Google Ad Manager

Below listed are some of the probable policy violations in Google Ad Manager:

1. Malvertising: Malvertising is when online ads are found spreading malware. Malvertising injects malicious codes into legitimate online advertising networks, harming app users. An ad or the landing page of an ad displayed on the app with malware is a factor of policy violation.
2. False or Wrong Information: The subject matter of an ad creative needs to be purposeful and legit. Ads with incorrect information, political affiliations, click baits, instigating downloads, etc., are also against the policies of Google and will disable the ad serving.
3. Self-Clicking: A major reason for policy violation in Google Ad Manager is when app publishers click their ads themselves. Once you enable your testing device, you may click the ads for testing. However, repeated clicks without enabling test ads or devices can suspend your Google AdX or AdMob account. Hence, you should avoid clicking on live ads.
4. Accidental Clicks: Do not encourage ad placements that lead to accidental clicks. Implement ads that are not in the way of the application’s content. Download links, play buttons, game windows, video players, drop-down menus, and other content shouldn’t be placed near ads as it may lead to accidental clicks. Even if this happens unintentionally, publishers may still get a policy violation.
5. Unnatural Ads & Phishing Content: App publishers are not permitted to bring unnecessary or contrived attention to the in-app ads. Google guides publishers not to display flashy animations or put-up arrows directing unnatural attention toward the ads. Moreover, creatives that promote phishing for information of the user, spam, or scams also violate Google’s policies.
6. Having A Dynamic DNS: Advertising creatives that redirect app users to URLs that use Dynamic DNS or IP Mapping is a policy violation. As per Google, if a domain is frequently updated to change IP addresses, there is a possibility that it might deliver different content each time the page loads. Publishers must monitor and test the landing page URLs and ensure no advertisement has a Dynamic DNS property or use an alternate domain that does not utilize Dynamic DNS.

So, How Do You Prevent Policy Violation in Google Ad Manager?

Here are the top three areas to prevent policy violations:

1. Abide Google’s Ad Placements Policies

It is great to experiment with your ad placements, but app publishers must also be cautious about Google’s ad placement policies. Ensuring proper ad placement is very crucial! Publishers are not allowed to refresh the app screen unless the user reloads. Besides having ads with dynamic content, inside emails and search boxes that load within the applications should not have an ad. App publishers must not place advertisements that lead to accidental clicks, open as a popup or a new window, etc.

2. Monitor & Prevent Invalid Traffic

Publishers are accountable for the quality of traffic on their apps. So, monitor your app traffic to ensure that your AdX or AdMob accounts are compliant and are not receiving invalid traffic. Check the quality of your third-party integrations and only use trusted traffic channels and sources. Verify ad implementations are made per the policies and there are no programming errors.

3. Check Ad Creatives & Layouts

Google keeps a tab on ad creatives and content to ensure no policy is violated and to prevent malware. The account will be paused or permanently deactivated if Google detects a violation. Hence, publishers must check displayed ad creatives and remove the ones that may cause potential policy violations.

If you incur a policy violation, you have to send an appeal to Google. After the appeal is sent, Google rescans ad creatives flagged for policy violations, and if found legit, the Ad Manager account is reactivated. However, rescanning can take time, is based on multiple aspects, and cannot be expedited from the publisher’s end.

Already Facing Policy Violation in Google Ad Manager?

Have you done everything to prevent policy violations in Google Ad Manager but still face suspension? Here is what you need to do!

• Check the policy center in your Google AdManager to understand the nature of the Policy Violation.
• Understand the root cause of policy violation based on its type.
• Make the necessary changes and request a review.

Note: It is ideal to make the necessary changes and request a review before the enforcement date to avoid ad serving limits.

• If you still can’t fix it, reach out to professionals like AppBroda – who can help you solve critical policy violations that affect your ad serving.

We understand that developing apps, creating content, scaling users, and monetizing them can be intense! Let AppBroda take care of your Google Ad Manager account and monetize your app efficiently while you develop great apps.

For more details, reach out to our experts today! Book a free consultation now!

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• A Quick Guide on Google AdX & The Role of Google Ad Manager