The latest Google ads healthcare policy update has brought new struggles and opportunities. This is policy news especially important for mental health services, private clinics, medical device manufacturers, pharmaceutical manufacturers, or wellness programs organisers.
In this post, we will explore the new Google ads healthcare compliance, what it means for your campaigns, and how you can adapt your strategy.
Let’s start!
What Does Google Ads Health Compliance Say?
Regulated Products and Services
We see this is one of the most regulated categories in Google Ads, healthcare policy news.
Let’s see what the Google ads healthcare policy update holds for this category:
They are the prescription drug services, pharmaceutical manufacturers, addiction services, and health insurance.
The Google ads medical advertising rules cover:
Prescription Drug Services
Online pharmacies offering prescribed drug services need to comply with regulations and the restrictions of the region they are targeting. This includes online prescription drug services, telemedicine services, and is not limited to this only.
Advertisers must hold Google Ads healthcare certification and comply with country-specific regulations.
Pharmaceutical Manufacturer
Pharmaceutical manufactures forbid to provide ad other than the specific countries.
Plus the advertisers will have to get the certification from Google to serve the ads.
Addiction Services
The promotion of companies for alcohol and drug addiction recovery is restricted. And, to serve Google in counties where it is not prohibited, the advertisers must complete Google’s LegitScript certification process.
Health Insurance
This Google ads healthcare policy news specifically updates the rules for the US.
Companies or advertisers are prohibited from advertising the health and insurance coverage plan, or even the ACA-compliant plan, without the Google certification.
The exception here is the government adversaries or those who have pre-approval from the government.
Unapproved Category
This is a section of the healthcare advertising policy Google Ads mostly deals with unauthorised objects.
Unapproved Substances
Google prohibits advertising for drugs or supplements that are not approved by relevant regulatory authorities. This list includes all items mentioned in the unapproved pharmaceuticals and supplements, products without the approval of authorities, or anything under regulatory action, warning, or deemed unsafe. You can check out an exhaustive list on the official update.
Unauthorised Pharmacies
Restricted healthcare ads and PPC, Google has also put a ban on pharmacies that are operating without proper verification, which are banned from advertising.
Speculative and Experimental Claims, Cell or Gene Therapies
Other than relevant FDA-approved or licensed, Google ads prohibit any kind of promotion of experimental claims for cell or gene therapies.
Sexual Health and Wellness
One of these clauses in Google ad healthcare policy update puts a ban or heavily regulates the promotion of sexual and wellness services of any kind on the Google display network, including on YouTube.
Abortion
In many specific regions, abortion ads are forbidden. To run abortion ads in countries like the UK, USA, and Ireland, advertisers need to comply with these:
The region-specific regulation
Certification
Run ads based on related queries
HIV Home Test
HIV home test kits or services are approved if they are legally approved in the region being targeted.
Birth Control, Fertility, and Testing
Includes ads for contraception, fertility treatments, and STI testing are forbidden based on the local region rules.
Key Takeaway of Advertisers
If you advertise in the healthcare space, compliance must come before creativity. Advertisers who treat compliance as a strategic priority will always stay one step ahead. Those who win long-term are the ones who prioritize accuracy, transparency, and user safety just as much as conversions.
Start by identifying your healthcare category and completing any required certifications or verifications. Make sure your ad copy and landing pages are medically accurate, transparent, and free from exaggerated claims. Continuously monitor policy updates and disapproval notices to keep your campaigns compliant and active.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Can You Comply with the Latest Google Ads Medical Advertising Rules?
Start by identifying your healthcare category and completing any required certifications or verifications. Make sure your ad copy and landing pages are medically accurate, transparent, and free from exaggerated claims. Continuously monitor policy updates and disapproval notices to keep your campaigns compliant and active.
