Google to stop pornorgraphic ads

Google has taken a significant step in combating the abundance of online pornography.

Google’s AdWords team issued an email notification to its advertisers, enlightening them about the updated policies that essentially disallow pornographic ads. The announcement declared that Google would eliminate the acceptance of ads featuring explicit sexual content in the forthcoming weeks. This email was first noticed by Morality in Media and it included the following comprehensive communication:

Dear AdWords Advertiser,

We remind you about a prior adjustment made to Google’s advertising policies, which we announced on our Policy Change Log. This may affect your AdWords account: https://support.google.com/adwordspolicy/answer/4271759

In the approaching weeks, we will stop accepting ads that display explicit sexual behaviours, which may include but not limited to hardcore pornography; explicit sexual activities such as masturbation; and graphic illustrations of genital, anal, and oral sex.

Upon the enforcement of this change, we will disapprove all identified ads and websites contravening the updated policy. We have identified that your account may be influenced by this policy change. We highly recommend making the necessary changes to your ads and sites to maintain their uninterrupted operation.

Yours faithfully,

The Google AdWords Team

Prior to this, Google made a similar announcement proclaiming that it would no longer allow Blogger porn bloggers to generate income through adult ads on their blogs.

Even though some defended the right to free speech and the legality of pornography in U.S. law, a Google representative expressed that the reformed content policy will “strictly prohibit the monetisation of adult content on Blogger.” Blogs advertising adult websites would also be taken down.

This recent move expands Google’s crackdown on revenue generation from adult content, as it now flags the ads for elimination.

source: Kia Kokalitcheva/http://www.venturebeat.com/

Updated in 2025 to align with recent developments.