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Google Publishes A Guide To User Generated Content And Tips on How To Avoid A Penalty

author image Written by: Rabije Gashi Corluka           Categories - SEO

Google has published a new guide to user-generated content (UGC), which is a list of requirements advertisers need to consider for any platform where they run Google Ads.

We know that user comments are a great way to drive engagement, but as it turns out, we have to be careful with it. As Google explained, all of the content on the page (comments included!) where you run your ads, must follow Google’s Publisher Policies. In other words, a publisher is responsible for making sure that the content doesn’t break the Program Policy, and is subject to Google’s Publisher Restriction.

While it may sound like a weird form of censorship, the main reason Google’s doing this is the restriction of ads on certain pages. For example, if you run your ads on a website about guns, drugs, pornography, or something similar, then the ads you can run there will be restricted. Of course, you have the option to remove those websites in your Google Ad setup, but there’s still a chance that the user-generated content published on other pages can cause penalties – which is why Google published a few tips on how to handle this.

What can you do?

If you decide to manage this situation on your own, here are some of Google’s steps that could help you avoid a penalty and save your website from being ‘lost’:

  • Create a content policy explaining to your users what can and can’t be tolerated on your page.
  • Review your pages regularly and check the UGC
  • Add a ‘Report a Violation’ link so your users can report problematic content
  • Ask your community to help you flag inappropriate content
  • Built an automatic content filtering system
  • Ensure that content is submitted by humans

Tags - SEO, Google ads, user-generated content

Rabije Gashi Corluka

Rabije always enjoyed finding different angles to a story, so it’s not surprising her curiosity influenced a move to a new continent, widening her perspective. She enjoys hearing people's stories and learning about different cultures and places - but most of all, she loves putting her thoughts on a piece of paper. Her love for writing led to her studying Journalism and PR, but she actually became a storyteller during her radio-hosting era. Now, she uses her skills, experience, and love for writing to help your brand stand out.

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Why Target Frequency Is Important

Google says it has always been a balancing act to find the ideal video ad frequency for both viewers and advertisers. Seeing the same ad over and over again would drive anyone nuts. But this is why target frequency is helpful to both advertisers and viewers alike.

So far users seem to be happy about the availability of Target frequency, this is what one user tweeted:

Google’s launch of Targets frequency for all YouTube campaigns will be such a useful tool for advertisers. “This will help advertisers optimize towards more precise reach and frequency, while ensuring that we continue to provide a suitable advertising experience for viewers,” Google reports in a recent blog post.

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I mean come on who wouldn’t love that–its basically a win win situation. Google goes on to explain that advertisers can choose a frequency objective of up to four times per week through Target Frequency. Even better, their systems will optimize for greatest unique reach at that chosen frequency.

Google’s Recent Work on Ads

This is just another step forward for Google in making Ads and campaigns more effective for the user and advertiser.

Earlier in October, Google announced the launch of Google Ads Content Suitability Center. Following that Google rolled out My Ad Center. Seems like ad usability and visibility are being prioritized by Google, which we love to hear!

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Google Launches My Ad Center October 2022

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Have you ever noticed some strange ads on Google?

If so, you now have the power to make them disappear, at least on your pages. Google just announced that My Ad Center is getting a refresh! New privacy features will be rolling out as of today.

This update stretched across the globe, providing users on Google Search, Discover, and Youtube with more choice in what ads they see. You might be wondering why now? Well recently there have been mounting concerns that users are drifting away from search and social media sites due to privacy concerns.

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“Some 80% of social media users said they were concerned about advertisers and businesses accessing the data they share on social media platforms, and 64% said the government should do more to regulate advertisers,” according to Pew Research Center.

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Google’s My Ad Center will let you block ads that you don’t want to see. Users can now learn more about how your ads are personalized based on your information. What’s even more is you can use the new settings to remove ads with sensitive content.

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He continues by saying “you will never have to spend time searching for the right control or decoding how your information is used. Instead, you can manage your ad preferences without interrupting what you’re doing online.”

The first new feature everyone seems to be talking about it simple design of My Ad Center’s three-dot menu. Seeing too many ads about that fall vest you bought last month? You can use the menu to choose to see less or no ads of this kind. On the flip side, you can also choose to see ads you care about! Maybe you’re on the hunt early for a deal on a cozy winter jacket or boots.

Take a look at the menu in live action:

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I mean what’s not to love with theses new changes!

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