Many content creators throughout the internet rely on Google’s advertising system to generate revenue from their work. However, Google regularly updates its policies on how content will be monetized, and it could vary from platform to platform. For example, content that would be demonetized on YouTube wouldn’t necessarily be restricted from making money via Google AdSense. Last week, Google announced that the company would simplify and standardize its rules for content publishers.
There is a growing number of content creators who rely on controversial methods to generate traffic for their website or views on their video content. When Google wasn’t very selective about where ads would be shown, advertisers would eventually find their ads being displayed with content they didn’t find suitable. If their ads were shown next to problematic content, then they were funding the creation of this content.
These issues often get noticed on YouTube first, and that prompts a change in the guidelines for acceptable content. Examples of this can be seen when ads were removed from channels that were overly sexual, promoted conspiracy theories, used excessive profanity, etc. However, since YouTube was ahead of the curve when dealing with these issues, it seemed like there were different standards for the various Google platforms.
Google’s latest move is designed to consolidate these standards, so they are consistent on all Google ad properties. These standards will apply to content policies and restrictions across AdSense, AdMob, and Ad Manager.
As a company spokesperson explained in a post, “One consistent piece of feedback we’ve heard from our publishers is that they want us to further simplify our policies, across products, so they are easier to understand and follow. That’s why we’ll be simplifying the way our content policies are presented to publishers, and standardizing content policies across our publisher products.”
The change comes in two parts. First, the Google Publisher Policies will outline the types of content that are not allowed to show ads through any of its publisher products. These guidelines are where the policies against illegal content, dangerous or derogatory content, and sexually explicit material will be maintained.
The other part will be the Google Publisher Restrictions. These are the rules that will detail the types of content, such as alcohol or tobacco, that don’t violate the policy, but that may not be appealing for all advertisers. Publishers can still monetize this kind of content, but only some advertisers and advertising products that specifically choose that kind of content will bid on it. The company states, “As a result, Google Ads will not appear on this content, and this content will receive less advertising than non-restricted content will.”
This change is intended to make it more transparent for publishers what types of content are acceptable for particular purposes and what content will be banned outright for monetization. While it may be annoying for content creators at first, having a more specific set of rules will make things easier for everyone in the long run.
For more news about changes and updates to Google Ads, read this article on the company’s crackdown on inauthentic ad activity.
