ReferenceGoogle Ads disapproval
Speculative and experimental medical treatment
Google prohibits ads for speculative or experimental treatments and restricts cell and gene therapy ads, including stem cell and platelet rich plasma (PRP) therapies. In the US, an ad is allowed only for a product with FDA license or approval, run by the license holder. Purely educational content is allowed. Remove the promotion, keep the education, and save.
At a glance
- Where it shows
- The Status column on the Ads & assets page, as Disapproved under this policy.
- What stops
- The ad stops serving.
- How serious
- Low on its own. Google warns at least 7 days before any account suspension.
What it means
The policy has two levels. Speculative and experimental treatments are prohibited, which covers biohacking, do-it-yourself genetic engineering products and gene therapy kits. Cell and gene therapies, including stem cell, non-stem cell, gene therapy, regenerative medicine and PRP therapies, are restricted, with one exception for US products.
Purely educational or informational ads are allowed for cell and gene therapies whatever their regulatory status. The page's examples are academic papers and medical conference tickets.
What actually triggers it
A platelet rich plasma (PRP) offer
PRP therapies are named in the cell or gene therapy rule. A PRP ad that promotes treatment falls under it.
A stem cell or regenerative offer
Stem cell, non-stem cell and other regenerative medicine offers fall under the same restriction.
A do-it-yourself kit or biohacking product
DIY genetic engineering products, gene therapy kits and biohacking products are in the prohibited category.
Education mixed with a sales offer
The page allows purely educational or informational ads. It does not say how an ad that mixes education with a sales offer is judged, so keep the two apart.
Fix it in this order
- Check whether the product holds FDA license or approval, and whether your business is the license holder. Both must be true for the US exception.
- If both are true, request the exception through Google's contact form.
- If not, edit the ad to remove the promotion and keep only educational content. Hover over the ad, select Edit, make the change and select Save.
- If the ad was disapproved because you lack the required approval, and you meet the requirements, apply for healthcare-related advertising.
When to appeal
Appeal from the account if you believe the decision is an error.
If you cannot or do not want to fix it, remove the ad.
Often confused with
The wider healthcare rules for prescription drugs, pharmacies, insurance and certification by country. This page is for treatments.
Supplements and products that claim to treat a disease. Cell and gene therapies, PRP and stem cell offers are covered here.