Why your Google Ads Account is suspended and how to fix
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Google Ads is a powerful tool for advertisers, but when an account gets suspended, it can cause significant disruptions. A suspension can occur for various reasons, often related to policy violations, account security, or payment issues. Understanding these common reasons will help you avoid mistakes that could jeopardise your pay-per-click advertising efforts.
In this blog, we’ll take a look at some of the common reasons why Google Ads accounts face suspension, how to overcome this and avoid it in the first place, and, of course, what the impact is should this happen several times within an account.
Common reasons why Google Ads accounts get suspended
Policy violations
Google Ads has strict policies to ensure that ads do not mislead or harm users – after all, its priority is user experience and delivering reliable information to the end-user. A violation of the policies that are in place is one of the primary reasons for suspension.
Inappropriate content
Ads that contain hate speech, violence, discrimination, or adult content violate Google’s policies. Even subtle violations, like language targeting adults, can trigger this, so language choices should be closely monitored and selected.
Prohibited content
Google Ads has set regulations about the type of content that can be promoted. Ads that promote illegal or harmful products, such as counterfeit goods, drugs, or dangerous services, are not allowed. If your ads feature such items, they will likely result in suspension.
Misleading ads
If your ads or PPC landing pages make exaggerated claims or mislead users, your account may be suspended. As an example, if an ad claims that users will earn large amounts of money quickly or offers unrealistic results without proper evidence could be flagged, and advertisers could face suspension.
Problems with billing
Another frequent cause of account suspension is billing issues. Google Ads mandates that advertisers keep their payment methods current and correct. The suspension of your account may occur if there are payment problems.
Expired payment methods
Until you change your billing information, Google will suspend your account if your credit card or billing account expires or if there are problems with the payment method you used.
Unpaid invoices
Google may suspend your account until the outstanding sum is paid off if there are past-due payments on your account that have not been settled. Google offers a grace period for payment problems, but if you don’t take action within that time, your account may be suspended.
Fraudulent payment activity
As a precaution, Google may suspend your account if they find suspicious or fraudulent payment activity connected to it. This may occur if a payment is reported to originate from a high-risk area or if payment trends show irregularities.
Unusual account behaviour
Google keeps an eye on accounts for unusual activity using sophisticated algorithms. This conduct may occasionally cause a valid account to be wrongly detected, but it can still lead to suspension.
Unusual spending trends
Rapid increases in expenditure on your account, including an abrupt increase in ad spend or a rise in the number of advertisements being displayed, could lead Google to suspect malicious or fraudulent conduct.
Modifications to the account settings
Significant changes to your account settings, targeting, or ad campaigns may also trigger a red flag. For instance, Google may suspend your account for suspected manipulation if you change your advertising too often in a short period or switch between large-scale campaigns.
Multiple accounts
Using different Google Ads accounts for the same company or managing several accounts from one place may raise suspicions. Generally speaking, Google only permits one account per company or person. You risk being suspended if you use more than one account.
Inaccurate or misleading information
Google places a high priority on user experience and makes sure that advertisements and landing pages present accurate, understandable, and true content. Suspension may result from any inconsistencies or false statements.
Problems with landing pages
Your account might be suspended if the landing page linked to your ads is deceptive or doesn’t match the content of the ad. Google will find it deceptive, for instance, if your ad makes a promise but the landing page delivers something completely different or has little to no content.
False statements or unsubstantiated data
Ads that make unsubstantiated promises regarding goods, services, or results risk being suspended. For example, ads that make exaggerated claims about health advantages in ads in the health/wellbeing sector without supporting data may be against Google’s rules.
Issues with account security
A Google Ads account may occasionally be suspended for security reasons, like hacking or unauthorised access.
Compromised accounts
As a precaution, Google may suspend your account if they believe it has been compromised or is being accessed by someone other than the account owner. This frequently happens when alterations are performed from strange devices or locations, or when there is unexpected login activity.
Third-party access
Your account may be flagged and suspended if you have allowed third-party organisations or persons access to it and they make questionable changes.
How to check and confirm the reason for suspension
To check and confirm the reason for a suspension in your Google Ads account, follow these steps…
- Log in to Ads on Google: Start by entering your login information to access your Google Ads account.
- Take a look at the notification: Google usually notifies the account owner or administrator via email when your account is suspended. This email offers a preliminary justification for the suspension and can also contain instructions on how to fix the problem.
- Verify the status of your account: Go to the “Status” tab for the account after logging in. Additional information on the suspension can be found under the “Account Issues” section. Google will notify you if there are any billing concerns, policy infractions, or suspicious conduct.
- Visit the Policy Center: Go to Google Ads’ “Policy Centre” to view a list of the precise infractions or problems that resulted in the suspension. Visit the “Tools and Settings” menu, choose “Policy Centre,” and examine any campaigns or ads that have been highlighted. Google will now specify the precise cause of the suspension, such as a breach of its advertising guidelines, deceptive material, or poor landing page quality.
- Check Ads and Keywords: A suspension may occasionally be the result of particular ads or keywords that break the rules. To find any possible issues, such as false claims, prohibited material, or infractions pertaining to restricted goods and services, examine the performance and history of your ads and keywords.
- Use the “Account Health” Section: Google has a section on “Account Health” on the account dashboard that provides information and suggestions for preserving compliance. This can assist you in determining which elements of your account led to the suspension.
- Appeals: You can appeal the suspension straight from the Google Ads interface if you think it was an error or if you’ve completed the required adjustments. Don’t forget to include any necessary supporting paperwork or explanations.
How to fix a suspended Google Ads account
What’s vital here is understanding the cause of the suspension, resolving the problem, and filing a request for review are the steps involved in fixing a suspended Google Ads account.
Here’s a detailed guide on how to get the suspension lifted…
Verify the suspension reason: Finding out why your account was suspended is the first step. Although Google usually sends an email explaining the cause, you can also access information in the “Account Status” area of your Google Ads account, as was previously mentioned. Policy violations, invoicing problems, questionable payment practices, or breaches of certain ad content regulations are frequently cited grounds for suspension.
Examine Google’s advertising policies: After determining the cause, examine Google Ads’ policies to determine the precise infraction. Google, for instance, has stringent guidelines about content that is prohibited, such as harmful behaviours, false claims, and counterfeit items. Make sure your landing pages, keywords, and ads adhere to these guidelines. Additionally, see if your company’s operations comply with Google’s terms of service.
Resolve the problem: Once the problem has been identified, take the appropriate action to fix it. Adjust your landing pages and ads to comply with Google’s guidelines if there are policy infractions. This can be updating product descriptions, getting rid of inaccurate material, or making sure your website is safe and easy to use. Update your payment information and settle the outstanding balance or payment method if the suspension is the result of billing or payment problems.
Request a review: After making the required adjustments, you can send in a request for review. Usually, Google offers a form for this reason inside your account. Be open and honest about the adjustments you made to address the issue. If the problem was with the policy, describe how you have made sure that it will be followed in the future.
Await Google’s response: Google usually gets back to you within a few days of receiving your review request. Make sure you continue to abide by the rules once your account is restored to avoid further suspensions. If not, Google will offer more information or instructions on how to resolve the issue.
How to prevent future suspensions
Proactive account management, rigorous adherence to Google’s standards, and routine monitoring are an absolute must to avoid future suspensions on Google Ads. If you’ve suffered from dealing with one suspension, you’ll know you certainly don’t want to deal with one again.
You can take the following important actions to prevent problems in the future…
Recognise and abide by Google’s policies: Learn about Google Ads’ regulations, particularly those about ad practices, landing page specifications, and prohibited content. Check Google’s policy revisions frequently to make sure your website and ads abide by any new guidelines.
Ensure accurate and transparent ads: Make sure your ads are always honest and open. Avoid making misleading claims or use dishonest techniques. Make sure the material on your landing page and the ad copy give accurate information about your goods or services.
Optimise landing pages: The user experience on your landing page should be top-quality. Steer clear of tactics like slow-loading pages, too many pop-ups, and clickbait. High-quality landing pages that complement ad content and give users pertinent, helpful information are given priority by Google.
Review your keywords: Make sure your keywords relate to the landing page and the ad text. A policy violation brought on by irrelevant or deceptive keywords may result in account suspension. Ensure that your keyword list is consistent with the products or services you are promoting by conducting regular audits.
Maintain accurate billing and account information: Make sure your billing information is correct and your payment methods are current. Suspension may follow suspicious payment practices or billing problems. Keep an eye on your account frequently to spot any odd activity.
Track account health: Google Ads has a dashboard called “Account Health” that notifies you of possible problems before they result in suspension. To avoid escalation, pay close attention to warnings or policy violations and take quick action.
Can multiple suspensions impact the way that my ads perform?
If you’ve been at the hands of several suspensions on Google Ads, you may be left wondering if it will have any impact on how your ads perform. In short, yes – multiple suspensions on Google Ads can impact the performance of your ads in several ways. Let’s take a look at how…
- Account trustworthiness: Google may view your account as less trustworthy after each suspension. Even when the ban is lifted, persistent infractions or suspensions may indicate to Google that your account is not regularly adhering to the rules, which could make it more difficult for Google to approve your ads in the future.
- Impacts on the ad approval process: Google may give any new ads or campaigns you develop extra consideration if an account has a history of suspensions. Even for ads that would otherwise be approved, this can lead to lengthier approval times or more frequent disapproval.
- Quality score issues: Repeated rules infractions or bans may have a detrimental effect on Google’s Quality Score, a parameter that affects how well your ads run. Your campaigns’ visibility and efficacy may be diminished by a lower Quality Score, which can also result in greater costs per click (CPC) and worse ad rankings.
- More challenges in getting things running consistently: If your account has been suspended several times, it may be more challenging to reactivate it following further problems. If Google notices a pattern of repeated violations, they may become less forgiving when examining your account, making it more difficult to fix the problems and get your account back up and running.
- Possible effect on next campaigns: Because of previous suspensions, the next campaigns might be subject to limitations or delays. Google may handle the account more cautiously even after the problems are fixed, which could impact the efficiency of new ads.
Based on what we’ve discussed here, it’s clear that Google Ads can sometimes feel overwhelming. Not only do you need to ensure that your ads are set up to perform and perform consistently, but you also need to ensure that they don’t get suspended to begin with and throughout their time being live.
Hopefully, our information has made things a little easier and clearer, but it may still feel like there’s a lot to think about and tackle. If that’s the case, let our PPC team identify opportunities for your brand via Google Ads, and take care of it for you – get in touch with us today to find out more.
