Display & Video 360 users must comply with this Google Ads policy. Visit the Display & Video 360 help center for additional restrictions.
Ads should respect user preferences and comply with legal regulations. Google Ads restricts certain kinds of sexual content in ads and destinations, which will only show in limited scenarios based on user search queries, user age and local laws where the ad is being served. Ads must not target minors.
On this page
Strongly restricted categories
Ads that feature or promote the following types of sexual content categories are strongly restricted. They will only serve based on the following conditions:
- The user’s age
- The local laws where the ad is being served
- The user’s SafeSearch settings
- The user’s sexual content search queries
Nudity
People or representations of people that display exposed intimate body parts, including representations that are blurred or censored
Examples (non-exhaustive):
- Visible genitalia
- Visible female breasts
- Visible buttocks
Moderately restricted categories
Ads that feature or promote the following types of sexual content categories are moderately restricted. They will only serve based on the following conditions:
- The user’s age
- The local laws where the ad is being served
- The user’s SafeSearch settings
Partial nudity
Examples (non-exhaustive):
- Lower or outer curve of the female breast exposed
- Majority of buttocks exposed
Sexual merchandise
Sale of merchandise that's intended to enhance sexual activity
Examples (non-exhaustive):
- Sex toys
- Sexual enhancers
- Sexual fetish lingerie
Sexual entertainment
Examples (non-exhaustive):
- Strip clubs
- Adult film festivals
- Sexually suggestive live streaming
- Sexually suggestive role-playing games
Sexually suggestive elements and themes
Examples (non-exhaustive):
- Lewd or sexual language
Examples (non-exhaustive):
- Images featuring legs spread open
- Touching covered intimate body parts
- Mimicking sexual positions or movements
Location specifics for ads that contain Sexual content
In addition to the requirements above, your ads must comply with local laws in the regions that your campaigns target.
Algeria |
China |
Ad serving for Sexual content ads
Refer to the Location specifics for ads that contain Sexual content to learn where certain types of ads can and can’t run.
Ad platforms
Sexual content ads can run on Google Ads.
Sexual content ads can’t run on the following ad platforms:
- AdMob
- Google Ad Manager
- YouTube
Ad networks
Sexual content ads can run on the Google Search Network.
Sexual content ads can’t run on the following ad platforms:
- Display Network
- Google Ad Manager Network
Ad formats
Acceptable ad formats can vary depending on the platform you're using, the status of your ad, and whether a publisher or partner has opted to show these types of ads.
Examples of ad formats that don’t allow ads that contain sexual content (non-exhaustive):
- App ads and app assets
- Dynamic Display Ads
- Gmail ads
- Image ads
- Reservation display ads
- TrueView video ads
Options to fix
If this policy is affecting your ad, review your options to fix below.
Edit your ads to comply with this policy
- Go to Ads within the Campaigns
menu.
- Hover over the ad or asset and select Edit.
- Edit the ad or asset so that it complies with the policy.
- Select Save.
Your ad will be automatically reviewed again. To check the ad or asset status, review the “Status” column. If you hover over each status, you’ll notice a more detailed explanation of what the status means.
Learn more about how to Fix an ad with policy violations.
Appeal policy decision
If you believe there’s been an error and that you haven’t violated Google Ads' policies, appeal the policy decision directly from your Google Ads account to request a review. If the review determines that your ads are compliant, they can run again. If you aren't able to fix these violations or choose not to, remove your ad to help prevent your account from becoming suspended in the future for repeated policy violations.
Need help?
If you have questions about the policies, review the policy guidelines and examples provided or contact Google Ads Support.