Quick Reference
Google Ads has different requirements than Facebook/Instagram. This guide covers Display Network, Discovery, Performance Max, and YouTube image requirements.
Technical Image Requirements for Google Ads
Required Image Sizes & Specifications
| Ad Type | Size | Max File Size |
|---|---|---|
| Marketing images | 1200x628px (1.91:1) | 5 MB |
| Square marketing images | 1200x1200px (1:1) | 5 MB |
| Portrait marketing images | 960x1200px (4:5) | 5 MB |
| Logo (square) | 1200x1200px (1:1) | 5 MB |
| Logo (landscape) | 1200x300px (4:1) | 5 MB |
Important technical rules:
- ✅ Formats: JPG, PNG, GIF (static only)
- ✅ RGB color space required
- ❌ No animations or GIFs with multiple frames
- ❌ No transparent backgrounds for marketing images
- ❌ No borders or frames around images
Top Policy Violations That Get Google Ads Disapproved
1. Personal Information & Privacy Violations
Google is extremely strict about protecting personal data. Images showing identifiable information without consent get disapproved instantly.
What Google prohibits:
- Faces of real people (unless stock photos with releases)
- Government IDs, passports, driver's licenses
- Credit card numbers, bank account info
- Email addresses, phone numbers, physical addresses
- Medical records or health information
Solution:
Use PhotoComply to automatically blur faces and redact sensitive information in screenshots and photos.
2. Misleading or Manipulated Content
Google disapproves images that deceive users or misrepresent your product/service.
Examples of misleading content:
- Fake close buttons or system notifications
- Implied celebrity endorsements without permission
- Before/after images with unrealistic results
- Fake news headlines or fabricated awards
- Photoshopped images misrepresenting products
3. Prohibited Content Categories
Certain types of content are completely banned from Google Ads, regardless of how they're presented.
Prohibited content includes:
- ❌ Counterfeit goods or knockoffs
- ❌ Dangerous products (weapons, explosives, recreational drugs)
- ❌ Dishonest behavior (hacking tools, fake documents)
- ❌ Inappropriate content (adult, shocking, or graphic)
- ❌ Trademark violations
4. Low-Quality or Distorted Images
Google requires professional-looking ads. Poor image quality leads to disapproval.
Quality issues:
- Blurry or pixelated images
- Images rotated or displayed upside-down
- Excessive filters making images hard to see
- Collages with too many elements
- Illegible text overlays
5. Images That Don't Match Landing Page
Your ad image must accurately represent what users will find on your landing page. Mismatches get disapproved.
Best practice:
Ensure your ad imagery directly relates to your offering and landing page content. No bait-and-switch tactics.
Google Ads vs. Facebook Ads: Policy Differences
| Policy Area | Google Ads | Facebook/Instagram |
|---|---|---|
| Text in image | More lenient, no specific % limit | Penalized if excessive |
| Privacy data | Strictly enforced | Strictly enforced |
| Image borders | Prohibited | Allowed |
| Animated GIFs | Not allowed | Allowed (video ads) |
| Landing page match | Strictly required | Less strict |
How to Check Your Images Before Submitting
Pre-Submission Checklist
Technical specs
Correct dimensions, file size under 5MB, RGB color space
Privacy compliance
No faces, IDs, or personal data visible (use PhotoComply to redact)
Image quality
Sharp, professional, properly oriented, no excessive filters
Accuracy
Image matches your product/service and landing page content
No prohibited content
Check Google's prohibited content list for your industry
What To Do If Your Ad Gets Disapproved
- Check the exact violation — Google provides specific policy reasons in Google Ads dashboard.
- Review policy documentation — Google's help center has detailed explanations for each violation.
- Fix the issue — For privacy violations, use PhotoComply to redact data. For technical issues, adjust image specs.
- Submit for review — Edit and resubmit, or request manual review if you believe it's an error.
- Consider alternatives — Sometimes using a completely different image that clearly complies is faster than appealing.
Important Note
Repeated policy violations can lead to account suspension. Always ensure compliance before submitting ads, especially for regulated industries (finance, healthcare, legal services).
Get Your Google Ads Approved Faster
Automatically redact personal data from your ad images to comply with Google's strict privacy policies.
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