YouTube Ads Policy: Overview

On October 9, 2006, Google acquired YouTube for $1.65 billion in Google stock. The deal set the seal on November 13, 2006. YouTube does not have a particular Ad policy however, it adheres to the ad policy of Google.  

The Ad policy of Google prohibits some content that Google believe to be harmful to users and the overall advertising ecosystem. Google use a combination of automated, and human evaluation to ensure its ads comply with these policies.

Prohibited content in the ad policies of Google are listed below, 

  • Counterfeit goods 

    Google Ads prohibits the sale or promotion for the sale of counterfeit goods. Counterfeit goods consist of a trademark or logo that is identical to or substantially indistinguishable from the trademark of another. Such goods mimic the brand features of the product in an attempt to pass themselves off as a genuine product of the brand owner. This policy applies to the content of the advertisement which the advertiser publishes. 

  • Dangerous products or services 

    Google want to help keep people safe both online and offline, so it does not allow the promotion of some products or services that cause damage, harm, or injury. Examples of dangerous content: Recreational drugs (chemical or herbal), psychoactive substances, equipment to facilitate drug use, weapons, ammunition, explosive materials and fireworks, instructions for making explosives or other harmful products, tobacco products. 

  • Enabling dishonest behaviour 

    Google values honesty and fairness, it does not allow the supporting products or services that are designed to enable dishonest behaviour. Examples of products or services that enable dishonest behaviour are Hacking software, services designed to artificially inflate ad or website traffic, fake documents, academic cheating services

  • Inappropriate content 

    Google value diversity and respect for others, and it strives to avoid offending users. It does not allow ads or destinations that display shocking content or promote hatred, intolerance, discrimination, or violence. Examples of unsuitable or offensive content includes bullying or intimidation of an individual or group, racial discrimination, hate group paraphernalia, graphic crime scene or accident images, cruelty to animals, murder, self-harm, extortion or blackmail, sale or trade of endangered species, ads using profane language. 

Prohibited practices as per the ad policy of Google are as follows: 

  • Abusing the ad network 

    Google want ads across the Google Network to be useful, varied, relevant, and safe for users. It does not allow advertisers to run ads, content, or destinations that attempt to trick or circumvent our ad review processes. Examples of abuse of the ad network: promoting content that contains malware, “cloaking” or using other techniques to hide the true destination that users are directed to, “arbitrage” or promoting destinations for the sole or primary purpose of showing ads, promoting “bridge” or “gateway” destinations that are solely designed to send users elsewhere, advertising with the sole or primary intent of gaining public social network endorsements from the user, “gaming” or manipulating settings in an attempt to circumvent our policy review systems. 

  • Data collection and use 

    Google want users to trust that information about them will be respected and handled with appropriate care. As such, its advertising partners should not misuse this information, nor collect it for unclear purposes or without appropriate disclosures or security measures. 

    It is to be noted that additional policies apply when using personalized advertising, which includes remarketing and custom audiences. If the advertiser(s) use personalized advertising targeting features, they have to be sure to review the personalized ads data collection and use policies. 
    Examples of user information that should be handled with care: full name, email address, mailing address, phone number, national identity, pension, social security, tax ID, health care, or driver’s license number, birth date or mother’s maiden name in addition to any of the above information, financial status, political affiliation, sexual orientation, race or ethnicity, religion. 

  • Misrepresentation 

    Google is always in favour of users trusting the ads on their platform, so they try their best to ensure ads are transparent and honest and provide the information that users require to make informed decisions. It does not allow ads or destinations that deceive users by excluding relevant product information or providing misleading information about products, services, or businesses. 

  • Restricted content and features 

    The policies mentioned beneath cover content that is occasionally legally or culturally sensitive. Online advertising can be a powerful way to reach customers, but in sensitive areas, google also work hard to avoid showing these ads when and where they might be inappropriate. These promotions might not be accessible to every user in every location, and advertisers may need to meet additional requirements before their ads are eligible to run. Not all ad products, features, or networks are able to support this restricted content. 

  • Adult content 

    In order to make the Advertisements user friendly and in compliance with legal regulations, google doesn’t allow certain kinds of adult content in ads and destinations. Some kinds of ads and destinations which include adult content are allowed if they comply with the legal policies mentioned below and does not effect the mental health of minors, but they only show in limited scenarios based on user search queries, user age, and local laws where the ad is being served. Examples of restricted adult content: strip clubs, erotic cinemas, sex toys, adult magazines, sexual enhancement products, matchmaking sites, models in sexualized poses. 

  • Alcohol 

    Google abide by local alcohol laws and industry standards, so it does not allow certain kinds of alcohol-related advertising, both for alcohol and drinks that resemble alcohol. Some types of advertisement which displays the role of alcohol are allowed if they meet the policies below, and which does not target minor audience and target only countries that are explicitly allowed to show such ads. Examples of restricted alcoholic beverages: beer, wine, sake, spirits or hard alcohol, Champagne, fortified wine, non-alcoholic beer, non-alcoholic wine, and non-alcoholic distilled spirits. 

  • Copyrights 

    Google abide by local copyright laws and protect the rights of copyright holders, so it does not allow ads that are unauthorized to use copyrighted content. If the advertiser(s) are legally authorized to use copyrighted content, they must apply for certification to advertise. 

Legal Requirements 
The Advertisers are responsible for ensuring that they comply with all applicable laws and regulations, in addition to Google’s advertising policies, for all of the locations where the advertisers ads are showing.

 

Disclaimer: “Vestralex assumes no responsibility or liability for any errors or omissions in the content of this Article. The information contained in this article is provided on an “as is” basis as sourced with no guarantees of completeness, accuracy, usefulness or timeliness. This article contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. This article and the information contained herein is not intended to be a source of advice or analysis with respect to the material presented, and the information and/or documents contained in this article do not constitute advice. All copyrights and trademarks contained herein are properties of their respective owners, any representation of such rights and marks is purely for informational purposes only. This article is not a substitute for professional legal advice. This article does not create an attorney-client relationship, nor is it a solicitation to offer legal advice.”

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