Healthcare and medicines: Unapproved substances

Google provides translated versions of our Help Center, though they are not meant to change the content of our policies. The English version is the official language we use to enforce our policies. To view this article in a different language, use the language dropdown at the bottom of the page.

Display & Video 360 users must comply with this Google Ads policy. Visit the Display & Video 360 help center for additional restrictions.

We're dedicated to following advertising regulations for healthcare and medicine, so we expect that ads and destinations follow appropriate laws and industry standards. Some healthcare-related content can’t be advertised at all, while others can only be advertised if the advertiser is certified with Google and targets only approved locations.

Learn more about the Healthcare and medicines policy.

This image represents the Google Ads policy for unapproved substances.

Google doesn't allow the promotion of certain content, regardless of any claims of legality:

  • All items on this non-exhaustive list of unapproved pharmaceuticals and supplements
  • Products that contain ephedra
  • Products containing human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in relation to weight loss or weight control, or when promoted in conjunction with anabolic steroids
  • Herbal and dietary supplements with active pharmaceutical or dangerous ingredients
  • Products that imply they are as effective as prescription drugs or controlled substances
  • Non-government approved products that are marketed in a way that implies that they're safe or effective for use in preventing, curing, or treating a particular disease or ailment
  • Products that have been subject to any government or regulatory action or warning
  • Products with names that are confusingly similar to an unapproved pharmaceutical or supplement or controlled substance
  • DHEA products (except in campaigns targeting the United States)
  • Melatonin products (except in campaigns targeting Canada and/or the United States)

For additional information on the unapproved or misleading pharmaceuticals and supplements that we monitor, visit legitscript.com.


Options to fix

If this policy is affecting your ad, review your options to fix below.

Edit your ads to comply with this policy

Make sure that you’re only targeting locations that allow promotion of in-scope products and services and that you’re certified to advertise in all the locations you’re targeting. You can also choose a new landing page for your ad that complies with this policy.

  1. In your Google Ads account, click the Campaigns icon ​Campaigns Icon.
  2. Click the Campaigns drop down in the section menu.
  3. Click Ads.
  4. Hover over the ad or asset and click Edit.
  5. Edit the ad or asset so that it complies with the policy.
  6. Click Save. Your ad will be automatically reviewed again. Check the ad’s status in the “Ads & assets” page for updates.

Learn more about how to Fix an ad with policy violations.

Appeal policy decision

If you've fixed your destination or believe that we've made an error, appeal the policy decision directly from your Google Ads account to request for a review. After we confirm that the destination is compliant, we can approve your ads. 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.

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