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Display & Video 360 users must comply with this Google Ads policy. Visit the Display & Video 360 help centre for additional restrictions.
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Ads should respect user preferences and comply with legal regulations. We restrict 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.
Learn about what happens if you violate our policies.
Strongly restricted categories
Ads that feature or promote the following types of sexual content 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, and 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: Visible genitalia, female breasts or buttocks
Sexual encounter dating
Dating explicitly motivated by sexual encounters
Examples: Hook-up or fling dating, swinger dating sites
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, and the user’s SafeSearch settings.
Partial nudity
People or representations of people that display partially exposed intimate body parts
Examples: Lower or outer curve of the female breast exposed, majority of buttocks exposed
Sexualised theme dating
Dating explicitly motivated in terms of sexual themes
Examples: Affair dating, sexual fetish dating
Sexual merchandise
Sale of merchandise that's intended to enhance sexual activity
Examples: Sex toys, aphrodisiacs, sexual enhancers, sexual fetish lingerie
Sexual entertainment
Online or offline sexually suggestive entertainment
Examples: Strip clubs, adult movie festivals, sexually suggestive live streaming or live chat, sexually suggestive role playing games
Mature cosmetic procedures
Cosmetic services and plastic surgery focused on intimate body parts
Examples: Female breast augmentation, penis enlargement surgery, vaginal laser rejuvenation, buttock implants, pubic hair grooming
As a limited exception to the 'Country restrictions' table below, Google allows pubic hair grooming ads to serve on the Google Display Network and YouTube in Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, India, Japan, Poland, South Korea, United Kingdom and United States, as long as the ads:
- Are not promoted in a way that focuses on sexual pleasure or enhancement, or use sexually suggestive elements and themes;
- Are not promoted in a way that disparages physical attributes or employs body shaming;
- Do not target or feature minors; and
- Do not otherwise violate the existing Sexual content policy.
Sexually suggestive elements and themes
Text, images, audio or video that can be interpreted as suggesting sexual intent or being sexually evocative. Content containing sexually suggestive poses or postures
Examples: Lewd or sexual language, images featuring legs spread open, touching covered intimate body parts, mimicking sexual positions or movements, dating for general audiences that includes more sexually suggestive imagery
Country restrictions
Countries where all sexual content will not serve: |
Countries where strongly restricted content will not serve: |
Algeria |
China |
In addition to the requirements above, your ads must comply with local laws in the regions your campaigns target.
Effect of the policy
If your ad meets the requirements above and is eligible, here are details of how it can run.
Ad platform | |
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Sexual content ads cannot run:
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Sexual content ads can run:
Google Ads |
Ad network | |
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Sexual content ads cannot run:
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Sexual content ads can run:
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Ad formats |
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Sexual content ads cannot run, though acceptable ad formats can vary depending on factors such as the platform you're using, the status of your ad, and whether a publisher or partner has opted to show such ads:
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