New Google Policy Prohibits False Claims That Undermine Democratic Process

Oct 18, 2021 - 7:31 am 2 by
Filed Under Google Ads

Google Vote

Google has posted a new policy in the merchant center help area that is "prohibiting offers that make claims that are demonstrably false and could significantly undermine participation or trust in an electoral or democratic process."

This probably not just applies to the Google Merchant Center, but also to Google Ads - although - I am not sure if this also applies to free listings. I suspect this applies to both Shopping ads and free listings powered through Google Merchant Center.

This is an update to the Misleading or unrealistic promotions policy that should go into effect this month.

Google also added the existing policy prohibiting "promoting or advocating for harmful health or medical claims or practices" that was previously listed under Dangerous or Derogatory will be combined with a policy that prohibits content that relates to a current, major health crisis and contradicts authoritative scientific consensus. The combined policy will be moved under Misrepresentation, Google said.

Forum discussion at Twitter.

 

Popular Categories

The Pulse of the search community

Google Search Volatility

More Details

Search Video Recaps

 
Video Details More Videos Subscribe to Videos

Most Recent Articles

Search Forum Recap

Daily Search Forum Recap: June 12, 2026

Jun 12, 2026 - 10:00 am
Google Search Engine Optimization

Google Search Console Link Report Finally Fixed & Updated

Jun 12, 2026 - 8:16 am
Search Video Recaps

Search News Buzz Video Recap: Google Post-Core Update Volatility, Zero Clicks Rising, Apple’s Siri AI & Google SEO Docs

Jun 12, 2026 - 8:01 am
Google Ads

Home Listings Come To Google Local Services Ads

Jun 12, 2026 - 7:51 am
Google Ads

Google Ads Extends Dynamic Search Ads (DSA) To AI Max Timeline

Jun 12, 2026 - 7:41 am
Google Search Engine Optimization

New Google Search Console Tool/Report: Platform Property Tooltips

Jun 12, 2026 - 7:31 am
 
Previous Story: New: Google Review Snippets Author Name Must Be Less Than 100 Characters