Tech giant Google has tightened its grip on ad fraud in India, suspending over 2.9 million ad accounts in a single year. This strong action was revealed in the company’s Ad Safety Report 2024, which highlights how Google has intensified efforts to eliminate scams and policy violations from its platform.
Along with the suspension of millions of accounts, Google also removed an astonishing 24.74 crore ads from circulation in India alone, all for breaching advertising policies. The company said it has upgraded its AI systems and Large Language Models (LLMs) with over 50 improvements to strengthen its ability to detect suspicious content and protect users from fraud.
The 2024 report also details Google's global efforts against scam advertisers. Worldwide, Google has:
Blocked more than 5.1 billion ads.
Suspended over 39.2 million ad accounts involved in malicious activity.
Banned nearly 9.1 billion ads under its tightened policy framework.
These numbers reflect the company's commitment to creating a safer digital environment for users, advertisers, and publishers.
According to Google, more than 100 technical experts were involved in implementing new safety protocols. As a result of this human-machine collaboration, over 700,000 ad accounts have been permanently suspended.
One of the most impactful outcomes was a 90% drop in scams involving fake ads that used AI-generated celebrity faces to trick users — a scam that had become widespread in recent years.
Google’s ad safety rules outline five key violations that can get an ad account suspended without prior warning:
Misleading Financial Services Ads
False or deceptive offers in the name of loans, investments, or banks.
Trademark Infringement
Unauthorized use of a brand's name, logo, or product images.
Network Abuse
Manipulating Google’s ad ecosystem, including spamming or bot activity.
Improper Use of Personalized Ads
Misusing personal data or manipulating audiences for unethical purposes.
Gambling & Gaming Policy Violations
Promoting illegal betting, gambling apps, or unlicensed gaming platforms.
Google's report is a wake-up call for both advertisers and users. The company is committed to combating fraud, but staying cautious while clicking on ads or handling financial offers online is the first line of defense for every internet user.
