The most common reasons for Google Ads account bans

Which algorithms and systems does Google use?

Policy Risk Engine

The Policy Risk Engine is an automated Google system. Its task is to prevent repeat access to the platform by advertisers previously banned for serious Google Ads policy violations (such as fraud, phishing, cloning, or counterfeiting).

How the system works:

1. It automatically flags suspicious accounts.

2. Then it analyzes a set of factors indicating connections with banned accounts: IP address, cookies, advertised websites, and other markers.

3. Finally, it places such accounts into the Policy Risk Bin for additional manual review by Google specialists.

Spam & Data Quality (DQ) system

This system analyzes ad accounts for spam and low-quality data. If violations are detected, it automatically rejects ad campaigns or even completely blocks associated accounts.

Main types of violations include:

• Spam;

• Poor data quality;

• Use of prohibited materials (misleading content, unreliable promotions, counterfeit goods, etc.).

Google employees can initiate a review of a decision through the Gearloose platform, but advertisers themselves currently do not have direct access to this function.

Fraud Detection Engine

This is a specialized Google system for detecting fraudulent activity. The algorithm analyzes various indicators, including:

• Creation of fake billing accounts;

• Registration using free email services (e.g., Gmail, Outlook, Yandex);

• Suspicious logins to accounts from mismatched locations.

• Suspiciously high budgets and sudden campaign changes.

• Mass registration of child accounts within a short time.

Accounts exhibiting such behavior automatically receive closer scrutiny and are highly likely to be manually banned once a trigger is activated.

Which Google bots and AI systems handle content verification?

Googlebot is Google’s main search crawler that checks website and ad content. It constantly scans the Internet, evaluating the quality of pages and advertising materials. Key aspects it analyzes include:

• Quality and uniqueness of content.

• Compliance with Webmaster Guidelines.

• Presence or absence of cloaking indicators.

• Presence of prohibited elements such as malware, misleading promotions, and other policy violations.

How Google identifies suspicious accounts and campaigns

To detect violations, Google monitors the following parameters:

• IP addresses and cookies linked to previously banned accounts.

• Similarities of advertised websites, including content and domain names.

• Suspicious activity: sudden budget increases on new accounts, mass account creation in a short time period.

• Use of virtual cards and cards with BIN numbers (first 6 digits) that were previously flagged in the system.

Main reasons for bans with real-world examples

1. Cloaking

Cloaking means that the content shown to real users differs from the content shown to moderators. Google uses constantly updated bots that can detect cloaking. Over the past six months, especially after the launch of Demand Gen, standard cloaking methods have become easier to spot.

Typical mistakes detected by Googlebot when cloaking:

• Using white content for moderators and gray content for users on the same domain.

• Using common CDNs, such as Cloudflare, simultaneously for both content types.

How to reduce risks:

• Use Paladium for redirecting. It’s an up-to-date bot database that detects all Googlebot versions.

• Separate domains and servers for white and gray content.

• Do not use Cloudflare and similar services when cloaking.

2. Account bans due to payment issues

Accounts are often banned if Google detects suspicious payments.

Examples of automatic triggers:

• Reuse of flagged BINs. The system tracks card numbers previously used for fraudulent or suspicious operations.

• Rapid and sharp budget increases on new accounts. For example, a $5,000 budget immediately after creating a new account looks suspicious.

• Mismatch between card GEO and account GEO. For example, using a US BIN card for an account with Poland as its geolocation.

How to avoid bans:

• Use trusted BIN checkers, such as finanso.com, to ensure that card GEO matches the account GEO.

• Link cards via alternative methods. For example, through Google Cloud or Merchant Center. This is especially important for cards already used before. Observe an account resting period to reduce risks.

3. Bans related to content quality

Google bots and moderators flag pages that:

• Use doorway pages (pages with minimal content created to trick search engines and redirect traffic).

• Have low trust scores (lack of contact info, warranties, or privacy policies).

• Contain misleading content, such as unrealistic promises: “100% cure,” “instant earnings with no investment.”

Typical mistakes and examples:

• No privacy policy or company contacts.

• Fake reviews and content on landing pages.

• Landing pages with aggressive promises (“Lose 30 kg in 2 weeks”).

How to avoid bans:

• The white page should look like a high-quality informational resource, with at least 2–3 interlinked pages.

• A privacy policy must be included.

• Check content uniqueness and quality with tools like Content-Watch.

4. Suspicion of fraud or bypassing anti-fraud systems

Google reacts to any attempts to bypass anti-fraud systems. Here are common triggers for the Fraud Detection Engine:

• Use of disposable or low-quality email addresses: @mail.ru, @yandex.ru, @rediffmail.com, etc.

• Registration with virtual numbers (VoIP) or IP addresses from suspicious regions.

• Logins from high-risk countries: India, Nigeria, Vietnam, etc.

• Frequent creation and deletion of campaigns or accounts under a single manager account (MCC).

Risk reduction recommendations:

• Infrastructure: work exclusively using reliable proxies and anti-detect browsers for multi-accounting.

• Account quality: use verified accounts with clean histories (self-registered and farmed accounts).

• Monitoring: track account login history and IPs with services like ipinfo.io.

5. Mistakes in preparing ads and keywords

Google’s algorithms detect accounts connected with prohibited goods and services, even with indirect mentions.

Typical mistakes leading to bans:

• Direct use of prohibited words: “cryptocurrency,” “bitcoin,” “lose weight fast,” “miracle cure.”

• Ads with medical claims: “cures diabetes,” “guaranteed weight loss.”

• Mentioning prohibited substances or drugs in keywords.

Correct approach:

• Use neutral headlines: “10 ways to get fitter” instead of “Weight loss pills,” or “Educational materials on digital assets” instead of “Learn everything about crypto.”

• Landing pages on the white page must closely match keywords and creative materials.

6. Suspicious account behavior

Google may deem account behavior suspicious and ban it for reasons such as:

• Sudden increase in daily budget (e.g., from $10 to $1,000).

• Frequent changes of payment data and IP addresses.

• Creating multiple accounts from the same IP address or device.

How to avoid this:

• Increase budgets and bids gradually (not more than 10–20% per day).

• Use reliable anti-detect browsers for multi-accounting, such as Octo Browser.

7. Egregious violations

Actions that result in immediate and permanent bans:

• Content containing malware or viruses.

• Selling counterfeit goods or brand knock-offs.

• Using fake reviews or testimonials.

• Employing fraudulent schemes.

Checklist: how to avoid Google Ads bans

Google combines automated algorithms and manual reviews. The first stage is the most dangerous, since automation detects violations quickly, especially if your actions resemble known patterns.

Key recommendations include:

1. Separate white and black pages.

2. Use clean, high-quality content on landing pages.

3. Work with unique domains and creative materials.

4. Link only clean cards without flagged BINs.

5. Avoid sudden spikes in activity on new accounts.

6. Use a high-quality anti-detect browser and proxies.

Following these rules will help your accounts last as long as possible, and affiliate marketing with Google Ads will bring stable profit without unexpected bans.