Google disapproving repair ads?!?

[Andy Black]

Anyone else getting local repair business ads disapproved because of the (new?) “Third-party consumer technical support” policy?

I’ve a printer and photocopier service/repair/supply client and their ads are getting disapproved. I’m just off the phone with a Google rep who said it’s because the client is a third party and not the manufacturer.

I asked if this meant an electrician can’t advertise they repair washing machines, and I was told that’s not allowed either.

Huh?!??

...

Extract from

Other restricted businesses - Advertising Policies Help

Google provides translated versions of our Help Center, though they are not meant to change the content of our policies. The English version is the official language we use to enforce our poli

support.google.com

Third-party consumer technical support

The following is not allowed:

Not allowed Technical support by third-party providers for consumer technology products and online services

Examples (non-exhaustive list): Technical support for troubleshooting, security, virus removal, internet connectivity, online accounts (for example, password resets or login support), or software installation

 

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[itfactor]

Sounds like your Google rep doesn't know what he/she is doing.

How is washing machine repair under tech support?

Local services
As part of a limited beta, ads for locksmith and garage door repair services are restricted in specific areas. To advertise in these areas, you must apply for advanced verification. Learn more about advanced verification.

Maybe you should try doing the advanced verification?

P.S. I haven't touched adwords in awhile so I'm not sure if this would work.

 

[Andy Black]

Sounds like your Google rep doesn't know what he/she is doing.

How is washing machine repair under tech support?




Maybe you should try doing the advanced verification?

P.S. I haven't touched adwords in awhile so I'm not sure if this would work.

It’s just odd. Why prevent printer and photocopier supply, repair, and service businesses from running ads? I’ll have to advise them to invest in SEO and other marketing channels.

The washing machine repair ads are still running.

This does have me thinking I’d best diversify away from just using Google Ads.

 

[Jeff Noel]

Examples (non-exhaustive list): Technical support for troubleshooting, security, virus removal, internet connectivity, online accounts (for example, password resets or login support), or software installation

So..... [Insert whatever niche] agencies cannot use Google anymore ?

Let's say you help people to setup their FB ads or Google Ads... you're offering services as a third party.
Isn't it #1 - Discriminatory and #2 -Google's refusing a lot of money suddenly ?

 

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[itfactor]

Google and FB are rich enough to turn down this sort of money from advertisers who make ads that bring down the user experience.

They make way more money keeping users happy and collecting their data than selling ad spaces

So..... [Insert whatever niche] agencies cannot use Google anymore ?

Let's say you help people to setup their FB ads or Google Ads... you're offering services as a third party.
Isn't it #1 - Discriminatory and #2 -Google's refusing a lot of money suddenly ?

 

[Jeff Noel]

I'm curious as to how providing the solution to someone with a problem can bring down the user experience. Unless you start bidding on random keywords.

 

[itfactor]

Well, that's the problem. There's no way to tell for certain why X is considered good while Y is considered bad on Adwords or FB, unless someone from the inside tells us. They aren't obligated to do so either, which can be frustrating.

I'm curious as to how providing the solution to someone with a problem can bring down the user experience. Unless you start bidding on random keywords.

 

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[pawon]

Examples (non-exhaustive list): Technical support for troubleshooting, security, virus removal, internet connectivity, online accounts (for example, password resets or login support), or software installation

This seems to focus on the "IT tech help scams" (scammers pretending to be from Microsoft, etc 'fixing' your computer).

A quick google search shows a lot of unhappy people, for example local computer repair businesses, etc.

Sounds to me like their new rules are interpreted completely wrong by their own staff.

 

[itfactor]

This seems to focus on the "IT tech help scams" (scammers pretending to be from Microsoft, etc 'fixing' your computer).

A quick google search shows a lot of unhappy people, for example local computer repair businesses, etc.

Sounds to me like their new rules are interpreted completely wrong by their own staff.

Not only they are misinterpreting, but they are also throwing the baby out with the bath water.

Used to work for Adwords compliance department many moons ago.

Let's just say these guys are definitely not the sharpest minds in the entire Google campus.

 

[MJ DeMarco]

Wow, what a disservice to vocational professions, individuals who might not have a college degree.

 

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[Andy Black]

I hope this gets resolved and Google stops penalising the wrong advertisers.

Then I hope said advertisers invest less into Google Ads going forward - because they’ve been shown how little Google cares about them, and they’ve been shown the danger of putting too much control into another company’s hands.

In a group of other Google Ads folks I’ve been advised to try and speak to a different Google Rep who might use a bit more common sense. If there’s lots of computer repair businesses complaining then I don’t have much faith in their compliance team having that common sense though.

I’ve butted heads with their compliance team many times. Some have been excellent, but some can be ... stubborn.

 

[minivanman]

As for washing machines..... 99% of the people who are 'qualified' 'repair' people for washing machines do not know how to repair the new style so they should be out of business anyway. 75% of my business is from people who had a repair man out and they couldn't fix the washer..... so they come buy a used set from me. I haul away their non working set, it usually takes my guy between 1 minute and 15 minutes to make the washer work correctly and then I sell it for $375-$699.

 

[RazorCut]

Seems you need clarity on this new policy. It does sound like someone being over zealous and casting the net too wide for the policy's intent though.

If they are going to run with it regardless that will have massive implications on your clients and obviously your business model.

As part of a limited beta, ads for locksmith and garage door repair services are restricted in specific areas.

So that doesn't specify Printer repairs so where are they getting that from? Is there a list of which businesses they are targeting?


This line>

If we feel that certain kinds of businesses pose an unreasonable risk to user safety or user experience, then we may take a conservative position and limit or stop related ads from running.

Scares me. All your ad's can be compliant one day and fall foul the next.

Obviously that could be the case with any company that has you by the short and curlies but if they are actively pursuing that line of intent it's a serious wake up call to diversify.

 

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