- Nov 29, 2022
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Google Ads is an indispensable tool for promoting both white and gray verticals, but Google’s security system meticulously monitors financial transactions, and any suspicious transactions or actions within an account can lead to a ban. This creates significant obstacles for advertisers and webmasters, especially those working with "gray" verticals such as gambling, betting, adult content, etc.
In this article, we’ll explore the reasons for account bans due to suspicious payments and provide effective strategies for tackling this issue.
Reasons for Account Bans Due to Suspicious Payments
Google strives to ensure the safety of its users and prevent fraud, which is why the system analyzes all financial transactions passing through Google Ads.An account can be banned for several reasons. One of the main ones is atypical activity, such as a sudden spike in ad spend, the mass addition of a large number of keywords, or creating multiple ad campaigns in a short time. These actions can be viewed as suspicious, especially for new accounts.
Another common reason is mismatched payment details. For instance, this could happen if the payment card used is issued in a different country from the one where the Google Ads account is registered. Even if the card has a trusted BIN from a bank in the US, Canada, or other Tier-1 countries, and the account is registered with a residential IP address from Thailand, the risk of a ban doesn’t decrease. A mismatch between the cardholder’s name and the account owner’s name can also trigger a ban for "Suspicious Payments."
Attempting to pay for ads with a card previously flagged for fraudulent activity will automatically lead to a ban, even for well-established accounts. For affiliate marketers working with many accounts and large volumes of traffic, it’s crucial to remember that Google Ads has access to databases of compromised cards and checks every transaction carefully. This means extra effort must be put into selecting high-quality card providers. However, the fees for using such cards can often significantly reduce campaign profitability, even in high-margin verticals like gambling and crypto offers.
Continuing with gray verticals in Google Ads, it’s important to remember that the platform enforces strict rules for advertising certain niches.
It’s no secret that media buyers and affiliate marketers working with these verticals often face bans due to suspicious payments. In such cases, using trusted agency accounts for Google Ads can be the best solution. These agency accounts carry a higher level of trust with Google and are treated more leniently during moderation and appeals. Additionally, unlike regular farm accounts, agency accounts allow for fund refunds in case of an account ban and don’t require additional warming up with hundreds of dollars before launching the main campaign. Trusted agency accounts have been available for years through platforms like YeezyPay.
It’s also important to understand that, in some cases, bans for suspicious payments can occur due to technical issues or errors on Google’s side. For example, the security system may mistakenly identify a legitimate payment as fraudulent.
How Google Ads Identifies "Suspicious" Accounts
Google uses more than just payment information to identify users. The system collects a wide range of data about the device and behavioral patterns of the user operating the account online.
Google’s algorithms analyze:
- Features of the graphics card and audio system (Canvas, WebGL, Audio)
- List of installed plugins, fonts, and extensions (Plugins, Fonts)
- Screen size and element placement, depending on monitor resolution and other parameters (ClientRects)
- Location and IP address, even if a VPN is used (Geolocation, WebRTC)
- OS version, system language, timezone, and many other parameters
How to Avoid Account Bans and What to Do if It Happens
To minimize the risk of a ban, experienced affiliate marketers working with Google Ads follow these rules:- Use reliable payment methods and pay for ads with cards that have never been involved in fraudulent schemes.
- Ensure payment data matches Google Ads account details, confirming that the BIN of the card and the account’s geo-location align.
- Avoid sudden changes in account activity by gradually increasing ad spend and expanding campaigns.
- At least indirectly comply with Google Ads rules by thoroughly reviewing them to ensure all campaign elements meet the platform's standards.
- "Unique" your digital fingerprint by using anti-detect browsers and quality proxies to alter your device’s digital signature.
If your Google Ads account is still banned for suspicious payments, don’t panic. Carefully read Google’s message to understand the cause of the ban and the required steps to resolve it. In this case, the webmaster will need to provide necessary documents to confirm their identity, address, business legitimacy, and the source of funds. With Google constantly refining its algorithms, such substitutions are detected in ~70% of cases, leading to an irreversible ban.
For agency accounts, you can contact Google Ads support through the service manager, sending an email or making a phone call. The manager will clearly and effectively explain the situation, provide all necessary documents, and work to restore the account. If not, an appeal can be submitted, and the remaining balance refunded.