This guide outlines the types of businesses that may face advertising limitations on platforms like Google. Some categories are fully prohibited, while others are restricted, region-dependent, or require special verification before ads can run.
If you're unsure whether a business is eligible for Paid Search, please contact adsupport@socastdigital.com with the business details.
These business types cannot advertise on Google under any circumstances.
Products that imitate brand-name items—for example: knock-off clothing, accessories, and tech gadgets.
Includes:
Weapons, ammunition, explosives
Recreational drugs and psychoactive substances
Tobacco and tobacco-related products
Equipment designed to harm or injure
Tools or services that support fraud or unethical behavior, such as:
Hacking software or “spy” tools
Fake IDs or documents
Academic cheating services
Traffic inflation or bot-generation tools
Content that promotes violence, hate, discrimination, or any harmful or illegal activity.
Any service facilitating illegal actions, including unlicensed gambling or illicit surveillance tools.
Any form of coerced, exploitative, or abusive labor or service.
Products containing banned substances or making unverified medical claims.
“Miracle cures,” guaranteed weight-loss schemes, get-rich-quick offers, or anything based on unrealistic or unverifiable claims.
These categories can advertise only if they meet platform requirements, certifications, regional policies, and disclosure rules.
Online casinos, sports betting, lotteries, and fantasy sports require Google certification and must comply with local laws.
Allowed in some regions only. Must follow age restrictions and responsible messaging guidelines.
Prescription drugs, medical services, and clinical trials may require certification or may be limited to certain regions.
Loans, credit repair, mortgages, investments, and insurance products require specific disclosures and regulatory compliance.
Election-related ads require identity verification, regional approval, and transparency.
Advertising copyrighted media or software requires legal rights or licensing.
Google enforces special protections for children and teens, particularly around sensitive topics like health, body image, and finances.
These services are considered high-risk for fraud or customer harm. Google requires advanced verification before ads can run.
Required in the U.S., and sometimes regionally evaluated in Canada.
Businesses must typically submit:
Valid business license or registration
Proof of insurance (general liability and sometimes professional liability)
Background checks for the owner and all technicians
Proof of business location or legitimate mobile-service status
Accurate, non-misleading pricing (no “starting at $X” or unrealistic emergency guarantees)
Ads may be suspended if:
Licenses expire
Insurance lapses
Technicians fail background checks
The business changes address or ownership without re-verification
These verticals are under “highest scrutiny,” especially emergency home-service categories.
These aren’t always restricted, but they often face increased policy checks.
(e.g., home security installation, key duplication, emergency repair services)
Especially remote technical support or third-party “customer service” providers.
Services with unclear cancellation processes or ambiguous pricing.
Allowed, but must avoid unverified or medically risky claims.
Hidden cameras, GPS trackers, and similar tools may be restricted depending on usage claims.
Eligibility varies heavily by region and product type.
If you're unsure whether a business is eligible to advertise, or how a specific vertical is classified, please contact:
We’re here to help verify eligibility before outreach or onboarding.