le has updated its Shocking Content Policy to exclude game imagery

Google is removing gameplay images from its Shocking Content Policy next month.

Search Engine Land has been informed that the Ads Manager team will update the Publisher Restrictions Guidelines on August 30 to include an exception.

Why do we care. To avoid penalties and exclusions, it’s vital that marketers stay compliant with Google policies.

What’s new? The new updates will exclude gameplay content only if the images or accounts depicting acts of violence, gruesome or graphic, or are disgusting.

• Torture.
• Sexual violence
• Violence against minors
• Violence against real-named prominent people.
• Violence is violence against an individual or a group based on a characteristic associated with systemic marginalization or discrimination.

What did Google say? Google advises brands to check their website or app to see how it will be affected by the update.

A brand has the right to appeal if they want to contest previous exclusions of content based on the update. A spokesperson stated:

• If your app or site was previously restricted from serving ads due to the content, but you feel that restrictions should be lifted following an update, you can request a review of your app or site on or after August 30, 2023.

Deep dive. For more information about what content is excluded, read Google’s Shocking Content rules. For more information about appealing exclusion decisions for content, please read Google’s Policy Center Guidelines.

The article Google updates its Shocking Content Policy to exclude gameplay images first appeared on Search Engine Land.