Google Suspended Over 39 Million Advertiser Accounts in 2024 to Combat Harmful Ads

In a comprehensive report published on Wednesday, Google announced it suspended more than 39.2 million advertiser accounts in 2024, reflecting the company’s intensified efforts to protect users from harmful and deceptive ads. The majority of these suspensions occurred proactively, with Google’s detection systems identifying and blocking malicious behavior before the ads could reach users.

A Multi-Layered Approach to Ad Safety

Google shared several key metrics to illustrate the scope and scale of its ad safety efforts:

• 5.1 billion bad ads were completely blocked

• 9.1 billion ads were restricted (i.e., limited in where or how they could appear)

• 1.3 billion web pages were either blocked or had restricted ad serving

• 5 million accounts were suspended specifically for scam-related violations

These figures represent not only the vast reach of Google's advertising network but also the complexity of challenges posed by fraudulent and policy-violating actors.

Leading Categories of Ad Policy Violations

Among the most common violations were:

1. Ad network abuse – 793.1 million violations

2. Trademark misuse – 503.1 million

3. Improper personalized ads – 491.3 million

4. Violations of legal requirements – 280.3 million

5. Financial services abuse – 193.7 million

6. Misrepresentation and deceptive claims – 146.9 million

These categories reflect a broad array of deceptive behaviors, from impersonating businesses and misusing trademarks to spreading financial scams or circumventing local legal requirements.

Protecting Users from Harmful Content

In addition to blocking misleading advertisers, Google also restricted ad placements on pages featuring:

• Sexual content

• Malware or harmful software

• Derogatory or shocking content

• Weapons sales and promotion

• Online gambling

• Tobacco and alcohol abuse

• Copyright and intellectual property violations

By restricting ad delivery to these types of content, Google aims to ensure that its ad ecosystem remains safe, reliable, and family-friendly.

AI-Powered Threat Detection and Scam Prevention

To stay ahead of emerging threats, Google continues to invest in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning. These technologies are used to flag suspicious activity early, such as fake payment credentials or impersonated business identities.

A significant area of concern in 2024 was the rise of AI-generated deepfake scams, particularly those involving impersonations of public figures. Google said that:

• Over 700,000 accounts were suspended for this violation alone

• These actions were part of a larger crackdown that blocked or removed 415 million scam-related ads

• In total, over 5 million accounts were suspended due to scam and fraud violations

Enhancing Transparency for Political and AI-Generated Ads

As part of efforts to protect democratic integrity and promote transparency, Google expanded its Advertiser Identity Verification program to more than 200 countries and territories. This initiative helps ensure that users understand who is behind political and election ads, especially when they include AI-generated content.

Key results from 2024 include:

• 8,900+ new election advertisers successfully verified

• 10.7 million election-related ads from unverified accounts were removed

These efforts align with Google’s broader push to regulate the responsible use of AI, especially in sensitive domains like politics and public discourse.

Malvertising Still a Persistent Threat

Despite these advances, malvertising—the use of deceptive or malicious ads to spread malware—remains a major concern. Attackers often exploit search ads to redirect users to fake websites designed to install malware or steal sensitive information. These incidents underline the need for continuous monitoring and adaptive security policies.

Conclusion

Google’s 2024 report illustrates the growing sophistication of ad-based threats and the corresponding need for proactive defense measures. With billions of ads reviewed and millions of bad actors removed, the company emphasizes its commitment to a safe, transparent, and trustworthy digital advertising ecosystem.

As technology—and particularly AI—continues to evolve, platforms like Google must stay vigilant and responsive to ensure that advertising remains a tool for legitimate commerce and information, not exploitation.