Got a “Your Google Ads account is suspended” email? Breathe. In 2026, Google’s enforcement is stricter than ever, but most suspensions are reversible if you follow a clean, methodical process. This guide is my complete, battle-tested playbook—from identifying the exact policy, fixing root causes, and assembling proof, to writing a winning appeal.
Who this is for: advertisers, agencies, and e‑commerce brands who want a compliance-first reinstatement—not black‑hat workarounds that trigger permanent bans.
What is a Google Ads Account Suspension?
A suspension means Google has halted your ability to serve ads due to policy, payment, identity/verification, or security concerns. Campaigns stop, new ads won’t run, and you’ll see banners in your account referencing the policy. This is different from simple ad disapprovals (which affect specific ads) and from temporary holds (e.g., pending verification).
Most Common Google Ads Suspensions (2026)
Below are the categories I see most often, plus what they usually mean in practice:
| Policy / Trigger | What it means | Typical Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Unacceptable Business Practices | Deceptive or harmful tactics, fake scarcity/affiliation, or predatory models. | Rewrite offers, remove fake timers/claims, add full business transparency. |
| Misrepresentation | Mismatched claims vs. reality, missing disclosures, misleading pricing, undisclosed risks. | Align ad & landing page copy, add disclosures, fix pricing/fees visibility. |
| Circumventing Systems | Evading enforcement (cloaking, rotating domains/accounts, masking redirects). | Remove any obfuscation. Use one transparent site/account. Don’t re‑open new accounts. |
| Suspicious Payments | Payment anomalies: chargebacks, unverifiable profile, risky cards/IPs. | Settle balances, use a verifiable card, match legal entity & address. |
| Compromised Site / Malware | Injected scripts, malicious redirects, or unwanted software. | Clean site, patch CMS/plugins, submit malware-free scans, re‑request review. |
| Advertiser / Business Verification | Identity or business verification incomplete/failed. | Submit accurate documents matching billing & website; respond to requests. |
First 24‑Hour Triage Checklist
- Read the exact policy shown on the red banner/email. Screenshot everything.
- Pause risky assets: extensions, experiments, auto-redirects, 3rd‑party scripts.
- Security first: change account passwords; audit user access; enable 2‑step verification.
- Website scan: run sitecheck.sucuri.net & your host’s malware tool; remove injections & bad redirects.
- Evidence locker: collect invoices, company docs, refund policy, and before/after screenshots of fixes.
Fixing the Root Cause (by Policy)
1) Misrepresentation & Unacceptable Business Practices
- Ensure legal pages are present, linked in footer, and consistent: About, Contact, Privacy, Terms, Returns/Refunds, Shipping.
- Show real business identity: company name, physical address, working phone/email.
- Remove fake urgency (endless countdowns), misleading pricing, before/after claims without substantiation.
- Match ad promises to landing page features and actual deliverables.
- Disclose fees, autoships/subscriptions, and material conditions clearly above the fold.
2) Circumventing Systems
Remove cloaking, doorway pages, device/geo conditionals that hide content from reviewers, and aggressive redirect chains. Use a single, transparent domain and one verified account per legal entity. Never buy or rent replacement accounts to evade a suspension.
3) Suspicious Payments
- Clear any outstanding balance or chargebacks.
- Use a bank‑issued card in the business’s exact legal name and billing address that matches your Ads profile & invoices.
- Avoid frequent IP/VPN changes; keep logins consistent with your business location.
- Upload any requested billing or identity documents promptly.
4) Compromised Site / Malware / Unwanted Software
- Back up, then clean the site: remove injected JS/PHP, restore from a clean backup.
- Update CMS, theme, and all plugins; remove abandoned plugins.
- Harden security (WAF, firewall, 2FA for admin, least-privilege users).
- Re-scan and keep scan reports as evidence for your appeal.
Advertiser & Business Verification in 2026
Verification has multiple layers: identity (ID), business operations (entity legitimacy and what you sell), and sometimes additional risk reviews. Ensure the entity name, website footer, invoices, and Ads billing profile all match.
- Prepare: government registration, utility bill or bank statement, proof of domain ownership, and recent customer invoices/refunds.
- Website must reflect the same entity (legal name, contact info, VAT/GST where applicable).
- Respond to verification emails within the stated deadline; missed deadlines can trigger suspension.
How to Write a Winning Appeal (Template Included)
Appeal only after you’ve fixed everything and gathered proof. Keep it factual, structured, and remorseful without admitting intentional wrongdoing.
Appeal link: Use the in‑account banner or the official suspension appeal form. Include screenshots, invoices, and scan reports via links (Drive/Dropbox) if upload fields are limited.
Free Appeal Template (Copy & Personalize)
Subject: Request for Reinstatement – Google Ads Account [CID: xxx-xxx-xxxx]
Hello Google Ads Policy Team,
We received a suspension notice for “[Policy Name]”. We take Google’s policies seriously and have completed the following corrective actions:
1) Root cause: [Brief explanation of what caused the issue, e.g., unclear pricing/returns page]
2) Fixes implemented on [date]:
- [Change 1]
- [Change 2]
- [Security/verification/billing updates]
3) Evidence:
- Before/after screenshots: [share link]
- Malware scans/cleanup report (if applicable): [share link]
- Updated legal pages: [URLs]
- Company registration / ID / billing proof: [share link]
4) Prevention going forward:
- [Your new SOPs, QA checklists, owner oversight]
We respectfully request a review and reinstatement. We value the Google ecosystem and are committed to long‑term, policy‑compliant advertising.
Thank you for your time and consideration,
[Full Name]
[Title, Company Legal Name]
[Phone] | [Email]
[Website URL]
Tip: If your first appeal fails, wait until you have new evidence or fixes. Re‑submitting the same appeal repeatedly can slow down resolution.
Google Merchant Center & Site Hygiene
- Product pages must show total price with taxes/shipping clarity before checkout.
- Returns & refunds policy must be specific (timeframe, method, who pays shipping).
- Accurate availability, GTIN/brand, and high‑quality images (no watermarks or overlays).
- No broken links or 404s; site must be crawlable without blockers or interstitials.
Prevent Future Suspensions (Your Compliance SOP)
- Quarterly site & policy audit (content, disclosures, pricing, legal pages).
- Change management: review all promos/new funnels against policies before launch.
- Security hygiene: WAF, backups, plugin updates, least‑privilege admin, SSO/2FA.
- Billing hygiene: single, verifiable card; no chargebacks; stable login/IP behavior.
- Training: share a one‑pager policy summary with team members & agencies.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does reinstatement take?
From a few days to a few weeks, depending on queue times and the completeness of your fixes and evidence. Complex cases (malware, misrepresentation) take longer.
Can I open a new account after suspension?
No—creating new accounts to bypass enforcement is a violation (Circumventing Systems) and can lead to permanent ecosystem bans. Fix and appeal the original issue.
Is “disapproved ads” the same as “suspension”?
No. Disapprovals affect specific ads or assets; suspensions halt the entire account until you resolve the underlying policy concerns.
What documents help with verification?
Government registration (or ID), proof of address, matching billing statement, domain ownership, and customer service artifacts (invoices, refund records).
Hire Me to Restore & Manage Your Google Ads (Done‑for‑You)
Need an expert to diagnose the root cause, implement compliant fixes, and prepare a persuasive appeal? I offer a compliance-first restoration service and ongoing Google Ads management. Contact me here.
Resources
- Google Ads Policies – Start here to understand rules.
- Troubleshoot disapproved ads – For ad-level issues.
- Advertiser & Business Verification – Follow prompts in your account.
- Site security scan – Sucuri SiteCheck
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