Unauthorized content is understood to mean products, services, or information that may not be advertised on the AdWords advertising network. Generally, ads that are not allowed include:
- Fake products: Google forbids all products which contain unauthorized brand names or logos.
- Dangerous products: Drugs, mind-altering substances, and drug paraphernalia are considered by Google to be dangerous products. AdWords ads containing this type of content are not allowed and will be rejected during the approval process. The same goes for tobacco advertising. The AdWords ban is also placed on ads for weapons, ammunition, explosives, or instructions for the manufacture of these products.
- Products and services which promote dishonest actions: Advertising software used to hack computer systems or services that promise increased ad or web access are in conflict with the AdWords guidelines. Also prohibited are advertisements for counterfeit documents or services, which are an aid to scientific fraud.
Google also restricts all ads which contain offensive or inappropriate content. Ads for products and/or services which contain hate messages, violent or sexual content, religious or political intolerance, as well as advertisements for organizations which advocate such views, are prohibited as well. In addition, the Google advertising network excludes content that is shocking, repulsive, or disturbing, has been created with exploitative intentions, or is aimed at the exploitation of others.