4 Common Ways Marketers Get Suspended Using Google AdWords

If you frequent any online marketing forums, every few weeks you will see an outcry from a marketer who got suspended from using Google AdWords. They scream their innocence and vow never to use Google again.

Google has become the world’s biggest traffic source, and as a result have placed stringent guidelines for marketers who want to use their network to advertise. If I’m being honest, even I think some of the rules are a bit strict. But when we play in Google’s world, we must play by their rules.

Here are the 4 most common reasons for account suspensions using Google AdWords and how you can avoid it from happening to you.

  1. Poor website layout

Google focuses on providing its searchers with the best possible user experience. While you don’t need to spend thousands of dollars on an awesome website design, you do need to avoid the following:

Pop-ups – The referring link on your AdWords advert should not contain any pop-ups. While they do allow interstitial pages, they mustn’t decrease the quality of the user experience.

You can easily integrate opt-ins on your webpage instead of using pop-ups like SendPlus:

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This is a much better way to gain opt-ins than presenting them with pop-ups, and won’t get you suspended.

Responsive websites – Earlier in 2014, mobile Internet traffic overtook desktop traffic and the demand for responsive websites has never been higher. In April 2015, Google rolled out a new algorithm update that impacted mobile search results, ranking websites with poor mobile designs lower in search listings.

If your website is not mobile responsive, ensure you set your AdWords campaign to only target desktop users to avoid getting a suspension. Not sure if your site is mobile friendly? Run it through this tool.

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Contact us page – Every AdWords campaign you run needs to have a contact page that allows visitors to contact you if they have questions. Most marketers are oblivious to this requirement and end up with a suspension, even having your details in the footer is fine.

  1. Free offers with a catch

If you’re giving something away for free it must be easily attainable. I’m sure you’ve come across that ‘free’ software product that promised you a free 10-day trial. After you download the product and start using it, you’re asked for your credit card details to use the advanced features.

This violates Google’s terms of service and will see your account suspended if visitors report you. Even if you place a disclosure message in the footer, that will not save you. All free offers mustn’t trick the prospect, or if you require them to pay more to use certain features, it must be clearly stated.

Here’s Route using AdWords to offer a free trial of their email automation tool, once you click the ad all you need to do is enter your name and email to get started:

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No catch or surprises. Asking for an email is fine, but getting prospects to fill in several forms or asking them to send the offer to friends before they receive their ‘free’ product is not.

  1. Creating multiple accounts promoting the same website

There’s almost nothing people won’t do to get their business on the first page of Google. Some create several AdWords accounts hoping to monopolise the ad search for their keywords. All accounts use different copies but lead back to the website.

While a great idea in theory, this is the fastest way to get your account permanently suspended.

  1. Deceptive content

This is a tricky one that even legitimate AdWords users get suspended for. Simply describing your product or service as the best in the industry can see your account suspended. While you may truly feel that your service is better than everyone else’s, if Google believes it to be deceptive you may get a suspension.

Word your ads with caution and don’t aim to trick or misrepresent your services. Deceptive content also includes using other people’s content without permission or making unrealistic claims like:

  • We will save you $5,000
  • lose 50 lbs of fat in 2 weeks
  • Earn $2,827 per week from home

These are the types of deceptive ad copies Google is looking out for. However, be sure to double check your website and ad copy to ensure you’re not misleading searches in any way, shape or form.

I thought I was following the rules but I still got a suspension- now what?

When Google throws its dreaded ban hammer your way, they send an email stating you why you were suspended and if there’s anything you can do to remove the suspension. If this is your first suspension and you didn’t put users at great risk (Google’s words not mine), Google does reinstate accounts if you fix all the issues listed in their email..

You simply make the changes and request for an appeal which can take anywhere from 24-72 hours. You can find more about the appeal process by clicking here.

Summary

As a general rule of thumb, if you think the advert or webpage you’re promoting tricks users, or contains any deceptive tactics to get searchers to make the intended action, it’s most likely against Google’s TOS.

You should spend time reading their terms and conditions before you run any adverts, as getting banned on AdWords can be a major blow for your business. If you’re unsure whether your ad copy or landing page violates any of their guidelines, you can get in touch with the AdWords team and receive advice on your ad copy and landing pages before you start promoting.

I recommend this highly if you’re unsure of what’s acceptable.

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Nick Bridges

Nick is an Award Winning web designer, is also the Creative Director for the Agency, assisting in areas like funnel creation, copywriting, Landing Page development, and more. Nick also oversees all of the technical components of the creation and implementation of Social Media Ad Genius.

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4 Ways Marketers Get Suspended Using Google AdWords
Article Name
4 Ways Marketers Get Suspended Using Google AdWords
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Here are some tips on how to avoid getting your Google Adwords account suspended
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About The Author

Nick Bridges

Nick is an Award Winning web designer, is also the Creative Director for the Agency, assisting in areas like funnel creation, copywriting, Landing Page development, and more. Nick also oversees all of the technical components of the creation and implementation of Social Media Ad Genius.

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