Good morning, Search Marketer, and Google lifts the political ad ban tomorrow.
In an announcement yesterday, Google let ad partners know that the previous ban on political ads will now be lifted. The latest ban went into effect in January after the insurrection at the capitol, prohibiting advertisements about the election, results, impeachment, inauguration, etc.
A few search marketers reached out to us after the January ban to say some of their ads were mistakenly categorized as political (which a quick appeal could have fixed). Now, to get political ads running again, search marketers will have to use that same appeals tool to have another review within the Google Ads portal.
Google is one of the biggest digital platforms for political ads–including fundraising (which has taken a hit since the ban). Their ad disclosures portal shows that political advertisers have spent $750 million since 2018. It's an interesting conversation–the balance between preventing misinformation and providing advertising services to political groups–one that's especially sensitive given recent events.
Carolyn Lyden
Director of Search Content