12:24
Google Ads Disapproved for Compromised Site & Circumventing Systems | Case Study
Ali Raza Marketing | Google Ads | Aarswebs
Overview
This video presents a case study of a Google Ads account that was disapproved due to "Compromised Site" and "Circumventing Systems" policy violations. The presenter, Alireza from aarswebs.com, details the diagnostic process, the various technical and policy-related issues found on the client's website, and the steps taken to resolve them. The case highlights that Google's AI can flag issues even if they aren't actively present, and that a thorough audit of all website aspects is crucial for reinstatement. Ultimately, the client's ads were approved after significant remediation and, in one instance, migrating to a new domain.
How was this?
Save this permanently with flashcards, quizzes, and AI chat
Chapters
- Google Ads can be disapproved for various policy violations, including 'Compromised Site' and 'Circumventing Systems'.
- These are distinct from account suspensions, though related issues can lead to either.
- Disapprovals require a comprehensive audit and fix of all website errors, not just the flagged ones.
- Google's AI may flag issues that are not actively present or are due to system misinterpretation.
Understanding the common reasons for ad disapprovals and the nuances of Google's detection systems is crucial for advertisers to proactively prevent or quickly resolve these issues.
The case involves a vehicle history check website that received disapprovals for 'Compromised Site' and 'Circumventing Systems'.
- 'Compromised Site' means the website's security is breached, potentially involving adware, spyware, or bugs.
- 'Circumventing Systems' involves interfering with Google's ad systems through cloaking, manipulation, or other deceptive practices.
- Initial audits revealed issues like indexation problems, incorrect canonical tags, localhost URLs, duplicate pages, and JavaScript errors.
- Missing essential pages (Privacy Policy, Terms, Contact, About Us) and improper sitemap/robots.txt configurations were also identified.
Identifying the root causes requires a deep dive into technical SEO, website security, and content compliance, as multiple interconnected issues can trigger policy violations.
The audit found that an old, previously used domain was still associated with the account, potentially causing 'Circumventing Systems' and 'Clocking Suspicious' flags.
- Fixes involved addressing technical SEO errors, adding missing legal and informational pages, and correcting sitemap/robots.txt files.
- Google's initial response indicated the website was flagged as a 'malicious entity', making immediate reinstatement difficult.
- It's important to update changes in Google Search Console so Google's crawlers can detect them.
- Reinstatement is not immediate; it requires Google's crawlers to update and manual review by the Google team.
The remediation process is iterative and requires patience, as Google's systems need time to process changes and conduct manual reviews before ads can be re-enabled.
Google's technical team stated they could not re-enable the site due to it being flagged as a malicious entity, necessitating further investigation and potentially a new domain.
- In some cases, migrating to a new, clean domain may be the most effective solution.
- Thorough checks for broken links, spyware, malware, and coding errors are essential for final approval.
- Manual approval was eventually obtained for the client's ads after the issues were resolved and potentially after migrating to a new domain.
- Positive client reviews highlight the effectiveness of expert intervention in resolving complex Google Ads disapprovals.
Successful resolution often involves a combination of technical fixes, policy adherence, and sometimes strategic decisions like domain migration, demonstrating the value of specialized expertise.
The client's website and ad assets were eventually approved and eligible, leading to a positive review for the service provider.
Key takeaways
- Google Ads disapprovals for 'Compromised Site' and 'Circumventing Systems' require a multi-faceted approach to diagnosis and resolution.
- Website security, technical SEO, and content compliance are interconnected and must all be addressed for ad reinstatement.
- Google's AI can flag issues that may not be immediately obvious or actively present, necessitating a thorough audit.
- Patience and clear communication with Google are vital, as the review and reinstatement process takes time.
- Even if a website is flagged as malicious, solutions like migrating to a new domain can lead to successful reinstatement.
- Proactive website maintenance and adherence to Google's policies can prevent costly ad disapprovals and suspensions.
Key terms
Compromised SiteCircumventing SystemsGoogle Ads DisapprovalPolicy ViolationsCloakingMalicious EntityTechnical SEOGoogle Search ConsoleSitemap.xmlRobots.txt
Test your understanding
- What are the primary differences between a 'Compromised Site' and 'Circumventing Systems' disapproval in Google Ads?
- Why is it important to fix all website errors, not just the ones Google flags, when dealing with ad disapprovals?
- How can an old, unused domain negatively impact a current Google Ads account?
- What steps should an advertiser take after implementing fixes to ensure Google's systems recognize the changes?
- Under what circumstances might migrating to a new domain be a necessary solution for ad disapprovals?