What To Do If Your Google Ad Was Not Approved?

May 9, 2022
, SEO

Have you ever logged onto Google Ads expecting your campaign to be flying but instead been greeted by ‘not approved? Well, you’re not alone. It’s a very common and frustrating experience. Google Ads is a lot like most advertising platforms. Before your ads go live, they need to be reviewed and approved. This process is mainly automated but it’s not always clear or easy to understand. Most people are likely to be confused why their Google Ad was not approved. Especially when they think they’ve nailed all the rules. So, why does it happen and what can you do about it? Let’s get into it.

Why a Google Ad Was Not Approved in the First Place

Google has policies around advertising that are strict. These are designed to protect its users and maintain trust in the platform. We know the rules mean well, but sometimes they can feel overwhelming. That’s especially true when you’re new to the whole Google Ads thing.

That’s why we’ve put together a list of some of the most common reasons a Google Ad was not approved.

You’re Advertising Something Against Google’s Policies

A big reason for a being rejected is advertising something that goes against Google’s policies. It doesn’t allow for certain products or services. This includes counterfeit goods, illegal products, drugs, weapons, explosives, and anything else deemed dangerous or harmful. Under no circumstances will ads of this nature be allowed as they fall into a restricted category. Google will shut it down quickly.

Your Doesn’t Tell The Full Story

Being transparent is so important. Your landing age may not clearly explain pricing, or terms and conditions. Google will see this as misleading. If the platform believes you’re withholding information, there’s a good chance your Google Ad was not approved.

Person on laptop wondering why their Google Ad Was Not Approved

How to Fix It When a Google Ad Was Not Approved

The good news is an add that hasn’t been approved isn’t the end of the line. In most scenarios, you can simply fix the issues and get it resubmitted.

Here’s what to do:

Log into your Google Ads account and locate the rejected ad or extension
Check whether it’s marked as Approved or Disapproved
Hover over the status to see the exact policy violation
Read the policy carefully so you understand what needs fixing
Edit the ad or extension accordingly
Save your changes and resubmit the ad for review

Once you’ve made your changes, Google will review the ad again. If you’ve fixed the issues, it will be approved.

Why Google Is Taking Ad Disapprovals More Seriously

Nowadays, it seems Google is stricter than ever before. It’s not an accident.

The team at Google are always updating how ads are regulated and displayed. It means more automated checks, more policy enforcement, and less room for error. Your ad could violate the smallest rule but it’s still likely your Google Ad was not approved.

Why You Should Care If Your Google Ad Was Not Approved

When you ignore ads being disapproved, it can lead to bigger problems in the future. With repeated policy viotlations, Google can suspend or even permanently cancel your Google Ads account.

Your ads won’t run at all if this happens. Not only this, your account history probably won’t be visible either. That’s why it’s essential to fix these problems early.

What to Do When Your Google Ad Gets Disapproved

The best solution is to deal with the problem head first. You should start by fixing the live ad and address any policy violations that Google has highlighted to you.

If that still doesn’t work and you’ve tried absolutely everything, it’s probably best to pause or remove that specific ad. Some ads that get won’t gather useful performance data anyway. It makes them more trouble than they’re worth.

What to Check If Your Google Ad Was Not Approved

If you’re stuck with why your Google Ad was not approved, try these basics:

Review The Headline

If your headline doesn’t match your keywords or whatever it is you’re offering, Google may disapprove it automatically. Remember that staying relevant is key.

Improve Your Description

Your description should clearly explain what you offer without exaggerating too much or being too vague. A strong description that’s honest about your product or services builds trust with both users and Google.

Use the Right Keywords

Keyword stuffing or ones that are irrelevant can actually hurt your chances of approval. Make sure your keywords fit naturally with your ad copy.