Google Tightens its Grip on Shopping Ads. Strengthened Policy Enforcement to Safeguard Users, Employees, and Ads Ecosystem.
On March 31, 2023, Google announced it would intensify its efforts to regulate content and prevent harmful behavior within its shopping ads to protect consumers, employees, and the Google Ads ecosystem. While similar policies were already in place, the updated language implies a more rigorous approach to enforcement.
The lack of changes in shopping ad policies suggests that the focus lies on strict implementation. However, it is also speculated that Google may have developed advanced AI tools to detect better and address these behaviors.
Merchants should be aware of both direct and indirect interpretations of Google’s policies to avoid policy violations. With over 14 years of experience in advertising, it’s evident that merchants often make the mistake of taking the policies at face value, overlooking their broader implications. Google has intentionally crafted the policies using more general language to cover many potential issues.