Provision record
Google Ads · Google AdSense Program Policies · View original document ↗

Prohibition on Deceptive Navigation to Obtain Clicks

High severity High confidence Explicit document language Common · 282 of 352 platforms

Key Facts

Does Google Ads prohibit publishers from using deceptive implementation methods that place ads in a way that might be mistaken for menu, navigation, or download links?
Google Ads prohibits publishers from using deceptive implementation methods that place ads in a way that might be mistaken for menu, navigation, or download links to obtain clicks or views.
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This analysis describes what Google Ads's agreement states, permits, or reserves. It does not constitute a legal determination about enforceability. Regulatory applicability and practical outcomes may vary by jurisdiction, enforcement context, and individual circumstances. Read our methodology

ConductAtlas Analysis

Why it matters (compliance & governance perspective)

The clause protects users from being tricked into clicking ads by mistaking them for functional site navigation, and protects advertisers from fraudulent click activity generated through deception.

Clause Stability Stable

0
Changes
3
Months Monitored
Jul 10, 2026
First Seen
Jul 10, 2026
Last Seen
This clause type exists across 4244 other provisions on other platforms.

Consumer impact (what this means for users)

Users are protected from being deceived into clicking ads that are disguised as menu, navigation, or download links on publisher sites.

How other platforms handle this

Tinder Medium

You may not display any personal contact, banking, or peer-to-peer payment information, whether in relation to you or any other person (for example, names, home addresses or postcodes, telephone numbers, email addresses, URLs, credit/debit card...)

ActiveCampaign Medium

Bypass or ignore instructions contained in our robots.txt file that controls automated access to portions of our Services;

Mailchimp Medium

Send content created in Mailchimp through another service.

See all platforms with this clause type →
▸ View Original Clause Language DOCUMENT RECORD
"
Publishers may not use deceptive implementation methods that place ads in a way that might be mistaken for menu, navigation or download links to obtain clicks or views.

Excerpt from Google Ads's Google AdSense Program Policies

Provision details

Document information
Document
Google AdSense Program Policies
Entity
Google Ads
Document last updated
May 20, 2026
Tracking information
First tracked
May 20, 2026
Last verified
July 9, 2026
Record ID
CA-P-069939
Document ID
CA-D-00860
Evidence Provenance
Source URL
Wayback Machine
Content hash (SHA-256)
83df51c2b26e7b802dbad925ec629a1e5f0b2a12cebddc305316c1f8f8a64eb3
Analysis generated
May 20, 2026 13:01 UTC
Methodology
Evidence
✓ Snapshot stored   ✓ Hash verified
Citation Record
Entity: Google Ads
Document: Google AdSense Program Policies
Record ID: CA-P-069939
Captured: 2026-05-20 13:01:59 UTC
SHA-256: 83df51c2b26e7b80…
URL: https://conductatlas.com/platform/google-ads/google-adsense-program-policies/provision/CA-P-069939/prohibition-on-deceptive-navigation-to-obtain-clicks/
Accessed: Aug. 18, 2026
Permanent archival reference. Stable identifier suitable for legal filings, compliance documentation, and research citation.
Classification
Severity
High
Categories

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does Google Ads's Prohibition on Deceptive Navigation to Obtain Clicks clause do?

The clause protects users from being tricked into clicking ads by mistaking them for functional site navigation, and protects advertisers from fraudulent click activity generated through deception.

How does this clause affect you?

Users are protected from being deceived into clicking ads that are disguised as menu, navigation, or download links on publisher sites.

How many platforms have this type of clause?

ConductAtlas has identified this type of provision across 282 platforms. See the full comparison.

Is ConductAtlas affiliated with Google Ads?

No. ConductAtlas is an independent monitoring service. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Google Ads.