One of the hallmarks of every globally renowned organization is professionalism and adherence to laws. Google has maintained its status as the foremost search engine because it remains innovative and law-compliant.
“The firm recently updated its policy to address issues of abuse within its advertisement network. This proactive step aims to keep the organization serving billions of people globally. However, advertisers must also follow suit by reviewing the updated policy to ensure their ads comply with the new rules,” advised marketing expert Seth Price of blusharkdigital.com.
This short piece explains why Google updated its policy and what advertisers should do:
Google’s New Update to Its Policy
Recently, Google Merchant Center split its shopping ads and free listing malicious or unwanted software policy into three distinct policies. This decision was thorough as it aimed to curb abuses and make advertisers more compliant with its rules.
The new policies are malicious software, compromised sites, and unwanted software. These new policies now guide how advertisers use the search engine to promote their businesses and boost sales.
A Deeper Look into the New Policies
If you must adhere to the new policies, knowing what they entail and how they affect your business is crucial. Below are the changes that came with the updated policy:
Malicious Software
Google has narrowed the scope of malicious software to focus on curtailing the intentional distribution of unauthorized access-causing software, otherwise known as “malware.” The organization does not want malware to gain unauthorized or harmful access to users’ devices, networks, or computers and cause devastating destruction.
This new development affects your advertisements, listings, and any software that you host on your app or site, even if you don’t promote them via the Google Network. Breaching this policy has severe consequences.
Compromised Sites
This is one of the updated policy’s innovative aspects. A compromised site is a website with hacked or manipulated code. This site or destination benefits the hacker or an intended third party without the site owner or operator’s awareness.
Site users are often victims of compromised sites. They suffer untold harm and damage.
The newly updated policy has prohibited ads and listings from using hacked or compromised sites or destinations. When you violate this policy, Google will first warn you. The company will suspend your account if there are no changes within seven days of the warning.
Unwanted Software
The updated policy prohibits ads, listings, and sites that breach the company’s unwanted software culture. If you have any software that violates Google’s policy on your site, it is better to remove them to stay safe.
If you violate this policy, Google will warn you before taking any drastic action. You have seven days to correct things on your site or destination before suspension. Losing your account will deny you access to improve your business and give it the desired visibility.
A Call to Action
A stitch in time saves nine; if you do not want Google to suspend your account, check if any of your ads or listings fall within the scope of the updated policy and act appropriately. If your ads, listings, or software violate the policy, take them off your feed.
Adhering to policies signals your commitment to making public space safe for all.
A Word from Google Concerning the Update
After the policy update, Google communicated with the public through its spokesperson, explaining its intent for the update and the need for enforcement.
The spokesman affirmed the following points through the statement:
- The company’s policies are geared toward safeguarding a high-quality end-user experience. Google vowed to keep protecting every user of its platform.
- The company has well-defined enforcement systems and procedures to identify defaulting content. Google prevents such below-the-standard content from reaching users.
- Google encourages every concerned partner to play fairly, as it frowns at dubious tricks. The company is proactive with its review processes and quickly removes any content that does not meet its requirements.
Final Thoughts
Your marketing techniques should be in line with global standard practices. If your ads, listings, or software appear on Google Network, you need to comply with the policies of the organization. Involving in uncouth or sharp practices will expose you, and you will ultimately face the consequences.
You should constantly be on the lookout, as Google updates its policy regularly. Adhering to the policy will help create a secure and safe space for all. It will also help the organization go after the bad eggs and improve your ad performance.
