Google Ads Child Sexual Abuse Imagery Policy Update

08/20/25
Source: Search Engine Roundtable by barry@rustybrick.com (Barry Schwartz). Read the original article

TL;DR Summary of Google Ads Child Sexual Abuse Imagery Policy Update Coming in 2025

Google is updating its Child Sexual Abuse Imagery (CSAI) policy for Google Ads effective October 22, 2025. The update aims to enhance clarity and transparency, especially regarding AI-generated content. Violations will be treated as egregious offenses, leading to immediate content removal, account suspension, and potential reporting to authorities. The policy strictly prohibits any sexual exploitation or abuse of minors in ads, including simulated or AI-created imagery.

Optimixed’s Overview: Enhanced Safeguards Against Child Exploitation in Google Ads Policy

Key Changes to Google’s Child Sexual Abuse Imagery Policy

Google’s upcoming update to its Child Sexual Abuse Imagery (CSAI) policy reflects a commitment to combating the exploitation and abuse of minors within its advertising platform. The revised policy, effective October 22, 2025, provides advertisers with clearer guidelines and aligns with industry best practices.

What Content is Prohibited?

  • Sexual abuse or exploitation of minors: Any content that promotes or facilitates such abuse, including sexual extortion, grooming, or trafficking.
  • Underage sexual themes: This includes verbal or visual depictions of minors in sexual contexts, whether simulated, AI-generated, or real, across all media formats such as text, drawings, cartoons, photoshopped images, sculptures, or paintings.
  • Examples: Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM), instructions on creating CSAM, teen-themed pornography involving under 18s, grooming, sextortion, sexualization of minors, and trafficking.

Enforcement and Consequences

Violations of this policy will be deemed egregious offenses. Google will:

  • Remove offending content immediately.
  • Suspend Google Ads accounts without prior warning.
  • Potentially restrict advertisers from using Google Ads permanently.
  • Report violations to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.

Implications for Advertisers

Advertisers must ensure all their content strictly adheres to these updated standards. The inclusion of AI-generated imagery in the policy highlights Google’s recognition of emerging risks associated with synthetic media. Transparency in advertising practices will be critical to avoid severe penalties and contribute to protecting minors online.