Google to link advertiser qualification to user feedback by 2026

Image credit: Search Engine Journal

Google announced an expansion of its Limited Ad Serving policy for Google Search, which will begin in June 2026 and introduce new criteria for advertiser qualification based on user feedback and identity.

The update aims to restrict ad impressions from advertisers deemed “unqualified” on searches where negative ad experiences are more prevalent, with gradual implementation extending through 2028.

Advertiser qualification will be influenced by user reports, specifically when users have “persistently and disproportionately reported that an advertiser’s content, products, or behavior do not meet their expectations,” according to Google.

The technology giant recommended that advertisers enhance their identity by clearly displaying branding, using specific language, clarifying relationships with other brands, and pinning their domain to the front of ad headlines.

Google’s new policy expands beyond traditional compliance issues to encompass factors such as pricing transparency, fulfillment, lead quality, customer support, and subscription terms.

These new factors may not be currently measured by advertisers, according to the company.

Google has not yet specified what constitutes “persistently” or “disproportionately” reported issues.

The company also did not identify reporting thresholds, qualification scores, warning systems, or appeal processes for advertisers.

The extended implementation timeline, spanning from 2026 to 2028, suggests that Google may be developing a more comprehensive, long-term qualification framework.

This framework could potentially be linked to Google’s expanding AI-powered Search experiences.

Source: Search Engine Journal