Heads up! Google is rolling out a big update to its Misleading Ad Design policy starting January 23, 2025. The focus? Cracking down on those tricky, standalone buttons in ads that confuse users into clicking on something they didn’t mean to. Think fake “Download” or “Play” buttons.

What’s Happening?

Google’s updated policy will ban ads that include:

• Buttons in images that don’t have clear context.
• Buttons that are oversized or overly flashy compared to the rest of the ad.

The goal is simple: protect users from misleading elements that result in accidental clicks. If your ads fall into this category, Google will give you a warning and at least seven days to make adjustments before imposing penalties like account suspension.

Enforcement will start on January 23, 2025, and roll out over eight weeks, so now’s the time to review and revise your ads.

Why It Matters

If your image ads include prominent buttons or calls to action, you’ll need to make sure they comply with these new rules. Non-compliant ads could disrupt your campaigns, hurt your account standing, and create a bad user experience.

This change also pushes advertisers to prioritize clarity and trust in ad designs. Misleading elements may get clicks, but they’re not the kind of engagement you want to build a loyal customer base.

Display Ads Are Useless Anyway

Here’s the thing, though—display ads have become so ineffective that many users don’t even notice them anymore. Banner blindness is a real phenomenon, and it’s a direct result of the overwhelming volume of ads users see on nearly every webpage. Even though Google is banning these buttons, it’s not like most users were clicking them intentionally or even paying attention to them in the first place.

Via NN Group

All this to say, if you’re running ads with misleading buttons in Display ads, or running Display campaigns at all, you’re most likely losing money on your investment and should pivot to more effective channels like Performance Max & Demand Gen. 

Next Steps

Here’s what you need to do to stay ahead:

1. Audit Your Ads: Look at your current image ads and flag anything with buttons that could be considered unclear or overly prominent.
2. Update Your Creative: Make sure all buttons are clearly labeled, appropriately sized, and match the context of your ad. No tricks—just clear, user-friendly designs.
3. Educate Your Team: Ensure your design and marketing teams are aware of this change. This helps prevent future issues and ensures compliance across all campaigns.
4. Monitor Enforcement: Once the policy goes live, keep an eye on your account. Address any warnings quickly to avoid interruptions.
5. Stop Running Display Ads: You’re most likely losing money on this ineffective advertising type anyway, let’s get you running on an ad format that works!

Let’s Chat About Your Ads

This policy is a chance to step up your ad game while avoiding potential penalties. Need help reviewing your ads or planning for these changes? We’ve got your back. Reach out to us today, and we’ll make sure your campaigns are ready to roll into 2025.