You might assume that any business can set up pay-per-click (PPC) campaigns and run ads on Google. However, there are some industries and topics that are fully prohibited from advertising on Google, as well as some industries that are allowed but require additional permissions and certifications before they can advertise.
Fully Prohibited
These are some of the topics you can’t run PPC campaigns for or create ads for on Google:
- Any products or services that promote illegal activities or violate Google’s policies, including those related to illegal substances, drugs, or fake documents
- Products or services that are dangerous, such as tobacco/vapes, Botox, hazardous materials, and weapons
- Inappropriate content, including hate speech, discriminatory language, and explicit material
- Ads that include misleading or false claims
- Ads related to bail bond services
- Ads that promote CBD/marijuana products (regardless of whether these are legal in the area where they are being advertised)
- Companies that offer treatment for substance abuse
You also can’t make any claims related to financial, health, or legal outcomes or guarantees when setting up Google ads. For example, you can’t say that your services will 100% cure your back pain or that your investment strategy is guaranteed to double your clients’ money.
Partially Restricted
We can set up PPC campaigns for businesses that offer products and services that are partially restricted but still allowed on Google. Some of the most common ones we have dealt with are businesses that offer alcohol, health insurance, garage door services, and locksmith services.
For example, businesses that sell alcohol have to only advertise to people old enough to drink in the area being targeted, while health insurance requires the company to get G2 certification for the areas they wish to advertise to. Meanwhile, any businesses that deal with potential entry points to a residence, such as garage door companies and locksmiths, are required to complete the Google advanced verification program, ensuring their company is legit and can be trusted to perform their duties responsibly.
If you have a business that may fall into the partially restricted category for Google ads, we’ll help you take the right steps to get your ads going on Google. For more information about fully and partially restricted industries and whether restrictions could impact your PPC campaigns, get in touch with your WordJack Marketing Manager.
