HomeGoogle clamps down on bad ads, not bad actors
Google announced on Thursday that it blocked a record 8.3 billion ads globally in 2025, up from 5.1 billion the previous year. However, the company suspended far fewer advertiser accounts than that surge might imply, raising questions about how it enforces policies on its platform.
The search giant attributed the gap to its increased use of AI, especially its Gemini models — Google’s family of AI systems — which it says enables earlier and more precise detection and blocking of policy-violating ads. According to Google, its AI-driven tools caught over 99% of such ads last year before they ever reached users.
Both findings come from Google’s 2025 Ads Safety Report and together highlight a broader shift in enforcement. While more problematic ads are being stopped, fewer advertiser accounts are being suspended — signaling a move away from outright bans on bad actors toward blocking individual ads on a case-by-case basis.
Google also noted that the rise in blocked ads reflects the growing use of generative AI by scammers to produce deceptive content at scale. Its Gemini models help identify patterns across large campaigns and block them earlier.
This shift aligns with Google’s broader effort to embed its Gemini models more deeply into core products and infrastructure, including advertising. The company is increasingly relying on AI to automate campaign creation, detect policy violations, and respond to emerging threats in real time.
Image credit:Jagmeet Singh / TechCrunch
Among the blocked ads and suspended accounts, 602 million ads and 4 million advertiser accounts were linked to scams, the company said.
In 2025, Google removed over 1.7 billion ads and suspended 3.3 million advertiser accounts in the U.S., with ad network abuse, misrepresentation, and sexual content being the most common violations. In India, Google’s largest market by users, it blocked 483.7 million ads — nearly double the previous year — even as account suspensions dropped to 1.7 million from 2.9 million. Trademarks, financial services, and copyright issues ranked among the top violations there.
During a virtual briefing, Keerat Sharma, Google’s vice president and general manager of ads privacy and safety, told reporters that the company has moved toward more targeted, AI-driven enforcement “at a much more granular level, on a creative level, as opposed to using a much more blunt instrument, like advertiser suspensions.” He added that this approach has reduced incorrect suspensions by 80% year over year.
Sharma also said that Google’s layered defenses, including advertiser verification — a process requiring businesses to confirm their identity before running ads — are designed to prevent bad actors from creating accounts in the first place, which has contributed to the decline in suspensions.
He noted that the numbers are likely to fluctuate over time as Google rolls out new defenses and bad actors adapt, with the company aiming to stop harmful ads as early in the pipeline as possible.
Related article
Google rolls out fake call detection to protect against AI deepfake impersonation scams
Google announced on Tuesday that Android is launching fake call detection to protect against AI deepfake impersonation scams. The feature is rolling out globally in Phone by Google to Android 12+ devices this month, starting with Pixel devices.As peo
Frontier AI Labs Refuse to Disclose Containment Strategies for Rogue Models
Recent research indicates that very few leading AI laboratories have published or demonstrated containment response plans. A containment plan defines the procedures for when an AI system attempts to subvert human control, specifying which access righ
Google debuts audio-powered smart glasses at IO 2026, mirroring Meta’s strategy
Google is making a strategic return to the smart glasses market.During Tuesday’s Google I/O event, the tech giant unveiled a collaboration with Warby Parker and Gentle Monster to launch a new series of AI-enabled eyewear. Designed in partnership with
Related Special Topic Recommendations
writing
Best AI Outline Generators for Long-Form SEO Articles
2026 Latest Best Top-Rated AI Outline Generators for Long-Form SEO Articles, meticulously curated by XIX.AI. These powerful tools offer game-changing assistance in creating high-quality content quickly, boosting writing efficiency significantly. Get a free vs paid comparison along with real-world tests and detailed rankings to help you find the must-try option that suits your needs. Explore now to unlock your AI edge.
8 tools
xix.ai
Education and Learning
AI Study Tools for Homework and Exam Prep
2026 Latest Best AI Study Tools for Homework and Exam Prep! XIX.AI curates a top-rated list of powerful, game-changing tools that help students boost productivity, streamline homework completion, and ace exams through real-world tests. Get a free vs paid comparison, detailed rankings, and must-try options to unlock your AI edge. Explore now!
10 tools
xix.ai
Music composition
AI Vocal Demo Tools for Songwriters, Hooks, Toplines, and Multilingual Draft Sessions
2026 Latest Best AI Vocal Demo Tools for Songwriters, Hook Creators, and Multi-Language Content Teams! XIX.AI has curated a top-rated list of powerful game-changing tools that go through rigorous real-world tests. You’ll find detailed free vs paid comparison data, comprehensive rankings, and must-try options to help you boost writing efficiency and unlock your creative potential. Explore now to discover your perfect tool for all your content needs!
9 tools
xix.ai
Business
Best AI Competitive Research Tools for Small Businesses
2026 Latest Best Top-rated AI Competitive Research Tools for Small Businesses! XIX.AI has curated a highly powerful game-changing collection, updated weekly with rigorous real-world tests and detailed rankings. You can find a comprehensive free vs paid comparison to help you identify the must-try tools that boost your productivity and give you a competitive edge. Explore now to discover your perfect tool!
9 tools
xix.ai
Image editing
Photoshop AI Retouch Tools for Ecommerce Apparel, Skin Cleanup, and Color Consistency
2026 Latest Best Photoshop AI retouch tools for ecommerce apparel, skin cleanup, and color consistency! This top-rated curated list features powerful game-changing solutions that help you boost writing efficiency, streamline content creation, and achieve perfect visual results effortlessly. Each tool has undergone real-world tests through weekly updated rankings, complete with free vs paid comparison details. Backed by XIX.AI, it’s the must-try guide for anyone aiming to unlock your AI edge. Explore now!
10 tools
xix.ai
Prompt
Best AI Prompt Libraries for ChatGPT Workflows
2026 Latest Best Top-Rated AI Prompt Libraries for optimizing all types of ChatGPT workflows. XIX.AI has curated a powerful, game-changing collection that goes through rigorous real-world tests to ensure top performance. You can find detailed free vs paid comparisons and expert rankings to help you choose the must-try tools that boost your productivity and unlock your AI edge. Explore now!
11 tools
xix.ai
Comments (0)
0/500
Google announced on Thursday that it blocked a record 8.3 billion ads globally in 2025, up from 5.1 billion the previous year. However, the company suspended far fewer advertiser accounts than that surge might imply, raising questions about how it enforces policies on its platform.
The search giant attributed the gap to its increased use of AI, especially its Gemini models — Google’s family of AI systems — which it says enables earlier and more precise detection and blocking of policy-violating ads. According to Google, its AI-driven tools caught over 99% of such ads last year before they ever reached users.
Both findings come from Google’s 2025 Ads Safety Report and together highlight a broader shift in enforcement. While more problematic ads are being stopped, fewer advertiser accounts are being suspended — signaling a move away from outright bans on bad actors toward blocking individual ads on a case-by-case basis.
Google also noted that the rise in blocked ads reflects the growing use of generative AI by scammers to produce deceptive content at scale. Its Gemini models help identify patterns across large campaigns and block them earlier.
This shift aligns with Google’s broader effort to embed its Gemini models more deeply into core products and infrastructure, including advertising. The company is increasingly relying on AI to automate campaign creation, detect policy violations, and respond to emerging threats in real time.
Image credit:Jagmeet Singh / TechCrunch
Among the blocked ads and suspended accounts, 602 million ads and 4 million advertiser accounts were linked to scams, the company said.
In 2025, Google removed over 1.7 billion ads and suspended 3.3 million advertiser accounts in the U.S., with ad network abuse, misrepresentation, and sexual content being the most common violations. In India, Google’s largest market by users, it blocked 483.7 million ads — nearly double the previous year — even as account suspensions dropped to 1.7 million from 2.9 million. Trademarks, financial services, and copyright issues ranked among the top violations there.
During a virtual briefing, Keerat Sharma, Google’s vice president and general manager of ads privacy and safety, told reporters that the company has moved toward more targeted, AI-driven enforcement “at a much more granular level, on a creative level, as opposed to using a much more blunt instrument, like advertiser suspensions.” He added that this approach has reduced incorrect suspensions by 80% year over year.
Sharma also said that Google’s layered defenses, including advertiser verification — a process requiring businesses to confirm their identity before running ads — are designed to prevent bad actors from creating accounts in the first place, which has contributed to the decline in suspensions.
He noted that the numbers are likely to fluctuate over time as Google rolls out new defenses and bad actors adapt, with the company aiming to stop harmful ads as early in the pipeline as possible.
Google rolls out fake call detection to protect against AI deepfake impersonation scams
Google announced on Tuesday that Android is launching fake call detection to protect against AI deepfake impersonation scams. The feature is rolling out globally in Phone by Google to Android 12+ devices this month, starting with Pixel devices.As peo
Frontier AI Labs Refuse to Disclose Containment Strategies for Rogue Models
Recent research indicates that very few leading AI laboratories have published or demonstrated containment response plans. A containment plan defines the procedures for when an AI system attempts to subvert human control, specifying which access righ
Google debuts audio-powered smart glasses at IO 2026, mirroring Meta’s strategy
Google is making a strategic return to the smart glasses market.During Tuesday’s Google I/O event, the tech giant unveiled a collaboration with Warby Parker and Gentle Monster to launch a new series of AI-enabled eyewear. Designed in partnership with
2026 Latest Best Top-Rated AI Outline Generators for Long-Form SEO Articles, meticulously curated by XIX.AI. These powerful tools offer game-changing assistance in creating high-quality content quickly, boosting writing efficiency significantly. Get a free vs paid comparison along with real-world tests and detailed rankings to help you find the must-try option that suits your needs. Explore now to unlock your AI edge.
8 tools
xix.ai
2026 Latest Best AI Study Tools for Homework and Exam Prep! XIX.AI curates a top-rated list of powerful, game-changing tools that help students boost productivity, streamline homework completion, and ace exams through real-world tests. Get a free vs paid comparison, detailed rankings, and must-try options to unlock your AI edge. Explore now!
10 tools
xix.ai
2026 Latest Best AI Vocal Demo Tools for Songwriters, Hook Creators, and Multi-Language Content Teams! XIX.AI has curated a top-rated list of powerful game-changing tools that go through rigorous real-world tests. You’ll find detailed free vs paid comparison data, comprehensive rankings, and must-try options to help you boost writing efficiency and unlock your creative potential. Explore now to discover your perfect tool for all your content needs!
9 tools
xix.ai
2026 Latest Best Top-rated AI Competitive Research Tools for Small Businesses! XIX.AI has curated a highly powerful game-changing collection, updated weekly with rigorous real-world tests and detailed rankings. You can find a comprehensive free vs paid comparison to help you identify the must-try tools that boost your productivity and give you a competitive edge. Explore now to discover your perfect tool!
9 tools
xix.ai
2026 Latest Best Photoshop AI retouch tools for ecommerce apparel, skin cleanup, and color consistency! This top-rated curated list features powerful game-changing solutions that help you boost writing efficiency, streamline content creation, and achieve perfect visual results effortlessly. Each tool has undergone real-world tests through weekly updated rankings, complete with free vs paid comparison details. Backed by XIX.AI, it’s the must-try guide for anyone aiming to unlock your AI edge. Explore now!
10 tools
xix.ai
2026 Latest Best Top-Rated AI Prompt Libraries for optimizing all types of ChatGPT workflows. XIX.AI has curated a powerful, game-changing collection that goes through rigorous real-world tests to ensure top performance. You can find detailed free vs paid comparisons and expert rankings to help you choose the must-try tools that boost your productivity and unlock your AI edge. Explore now!
11 tools
xix.ai
