Ad approvals, prohibited content, restricted categories, and the best practices Google expects you to follow — explained for the exam and for keeping accounts in good standing.
Policy is the topic most advertisers only think about after something goes wrong — an ad gets disapproved, an account gets suspended, or a campaign stops spending without explanation. I've had to help clients recover from policy violations that could have been avoided entirely with a basic understanding of what Google permits and what it doesn't. The Search exam tests this because Google wants certified practitioners to know the rules before they start managing real accounts. Here are the questions I'd expect, with context on why each answer matters in practice.
This is a foundational classification question — the exam expects you to know Google's policy framework by category, not just by example.
Correct answer: A. Prohibited content, prohibited practices, restricted content, and editorial & technical requirements
Google organises its ad policies into these four buckets. Prohibited content and practices are hard stops — ads in these categories won't run at all. Restricted content (like alcohol, gambling, or healthcare) can run in some countries or with certification. Editorial and technical requirements cover things like capitalisation, punctuation, and destination URL rules. I keep this framework in mind when onboarding new clients in sensitive industries — the first question is always which category applies to them.
A practical process question — the exam tests whether you know the right sequence of actions after a disapproval.
Correct answer: B. Review the disapproval reason in the account, fix the violation, and resubmit the ad for review
When an ad is disapproved, Google shows the specific policy reason in the Ads column of your account. The correct approach is to read that reason, make the necessary edit to bring the ad in line with policy, and resubmit. Creating new accounts or campaigns to bypass a disapproval is itself a policy violation and can lead to account suspension. I always tell clients — fix the root cause, don't try to route around it.
Prohibited practices are about how ads behave, not just what they contain — this distinction is important for the exam.
Correct answer: C. Misrepresenting a product by making false claims about its effectiveness
Misrepresentation — including false claims, misleading pricing, fake reviews, or hiding the true nature of the business — falls under prohibited practices. This category is about deception, not content type. In practice, I see this come up most often in health and wellness, where advertisers make efficacy claims that Google flags as unsubstantiated. The rule of thumb I give clients is simple: if you couldn't defend the claim to a regulator, don't put it in an ad.
Restricted content questions test whether you understand the difference between "not allowed at all" and "allowed with conditions."
Correct answer: C. Gambling advertising is a restricted category — it is permitted in certain countries with prior Google certification and compliance with local laws
Gambling is one of Google's restricted categories, meaning it's not an outright ban but it comes with strict conditions: advertisers must apply for Google certification, target only approved countries, and comply with all applicable local regulations. I've worked with licensed gaming clients in regulated markets and the certification process is thorough — Google verifies licensing documentation before granting access. Knowing the difference between "prohibited" and "restricted" is essential both for the exam and for advising clients in sensitive industries.
This question bridges policy knowledge with practical optimisation — a combination the exam increasingly tests together.
Correct answer: B. Ensure ad copy is accurate, landing pages match the ad's promise, and the site loads quickly with a clear user experience
This answer covers three things at once — accuracy (policy compliance), landing page relevance (Quality Score), and page speed (user experience and Ad Rank). These aren't separate considerations; they reinforce each other. An ad that accurately represents what the landing page delivers, on a fast and clear site, tends to stay approved, scores well on landing page experience, and converts better. I frame this to clients as: doing things the right way in Google Ads is usually also doing things the effective way.
Got ads that keep getting disapproved, or unsure whether your industry falls under restricted or prohibited? Policy issues can stall entire campaigns — I can review your account and get things running cleanly.
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