In a move that has sent ripples through the digital marketing space, Google has suspended 2.9 million advertiser accounts in India and removed over 247 million ads during 2024. This sweeping action was revealed in Google’s annual Ads Safety Report, released on Wednesday, April 10, 2024.
With the digital ad space growing rapidly in India, this crackdown is not just a headline—it’s a wake-up call for advertisers across the country.
đźš« Why Did Google Suspend So Many Accounts?
According to Google, the suspended accounts were primarily involved in violations of ad policies, including:
- Misleading financial products and services
- Trademark infringements
- System abuse (like bypassing ad review processes)
- Unauthorized gambling promotions
- Improper use of user data for personalized ads
These violations not only impact user trust but also pose a risk to the integrity of Google’s advertising platform. That’s why the company is taking aggressive action to shut down bad actors.
🌍 Not Just India – A Global Cleanup
While India saw major enforcement, this is part of a global effort. In 2023, Google:
- Removed 5.1 billion ads
- Suspended 39.2 million advertiser accounts
The company has also been upgrading its tech to stay ahead. By improving its large language models (LLMs), Google now detects and removes threats much faster.
For example, more than 700,000 scam-related ad accounts were permanently banned in 2023, leading to a 90% drop in scam reports compared to the previous year.
🇮🇳 Why India Was a Key Focus
India’s digital ad market is booming, but with growth comes challenges. From scam ads to policy abuse, Google had its hands full. That’s why the 2.9 million suspended accounts and 247.4 million removed ads in India alone stand out—they reflect both the scale of the problem and the seriousness of Google’s response.
🗳️ Ad Transparency Ahead of Elections
With the 2024 Indian General Elections underway, Google also ramped up its efforts to ensure transparency in political ads. The report notes that over 10.7 million election ads were removed globally from unverified advertisers.
This aligns with Google’s political ad policies, which require clear verification for anyone promoting political content.
đź“… Timeline of Major Actions
| 📆 Date | 🛠️ Action |
|---|---|
| Throughout 2023 | 5.1 billion ads removed globally |
| In India (2023) | 2.9 million advertiser accounts suspended, 247.4 million ads removed |
| April 10, 2024 | Google released its Ads Safety Report |
| Pre-Elections 2024 | 10.7 million unverified political ads taken down globally |
đź’ˇ Final Thoughts
This is one of the largest ad enforcement actions we’ve seen in recent years—and it’s a clear message from Google: abuse the system, and you’re out.
As the digital landscape evolves, so do the threats—and so does Google’s strategy. For advertisers, it’s a reminder to stay compliant, transparent, and user-focused. For users, it’s a step toward a safer, cleaner online experience.
If you’re running ads or planning a campaign, now is the time to review your policies and ensure you’re in the clear.
