Google removes billions of ads for violations

Google’s Ads Safety Report has revealed the tech giant has blocked or removed billions of ads for violating its policies.

The company launched its Ads Safety Report on Wednesday.

The annual report looks back at how the organisation is investing in ensuring that the ads on its platforms are safe and trustworthy.

“Online advertising plays a critical role in enabling a free and open internet that provides diverse, quality content for everyone, while also creating benefits to consumers, businesses and society,” Google said.

Safety

At a high-level, in 2022 Google said it has been proactive in ensuring safety on its platform.

“We have blocked or removed over 5.2 billion ads for violating our policies. That’s more than 9 000 ads per minute.”

“We have also restricted over 4.3 billion ads, blocked over 17 million ads related to the war in Ukraine under our sensitive event policy, suspended more than 6.7 million advertiser accounts for egregious  policy violations, removed ads from over 1.5 billion pages and added or updated 29 policies for both advertisers and publishers,” it said.

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Informed decisions

Google said in addition to its policies and enforcement, it has also invested significantly in helping users make informed decisions online.

“The Ads Transparency Center has also been launched globally and serves as a searchable hub of verified advertisers across all platforms, that helps users learn more about the advertisers and the ads shown by Google.”

“Providing a safe and trustworthy ads experience for users is a critical contribution to Google’s mission to organise the world’s information and make it universally accessible and useful,” it said.

Ramadan  

Meanwhile, as Muslims across the globe including South Africa observe Ramadan, Google and YouTube have shared a few ways that help you celebrate Ramadan in Africa with information that is accessible at the touch of button, a screen of even a voice command.

Google said from Lagos to Nairobi, Accra to Johannesburg, Africans can access a wealth of information and resources to make the most of this special time.

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