ReferenceGoogle Ads disapproval
Video quality
Google disapproves a video ad or asset that has illegible text, poor sound, or blurry, unclear or unrecognizable visuals. Edit the ad and save it, or upload a compliant video if the current one cannot be fixed. When the linked video itself has become unavailable, Google can disapprove the ad under a different category, so check that first.
At a glance
- Where it shows
- The Status column in the Ads section, as Disapproved, with Video quality in Policy details.
- What stops
- The video ad stops serving until it is fixed or replaced.
- How serious
- A warning first. Google warns at least 7 days before any suspension.
- How long
- Google says re-review usually takes 24 to 48 hours after an edit.
What it means
The policy requires video ads and assets to be clear, easy to interact with and relevant. Video quality is about what the viewer can see and hear, not about the offer. A video can have a good message and still be disapproved for an illegible caption or a muffled voice.
What actually triggers it
Text on screen too hard to read
Google's policy names illegible text as a failure. Small captions, low contrast and text that moves too fast to read all fit the description.
Poor sound
Google's policy names poor sound quality as a failure. A muffled voice or a background that drowns out the speaker fits the description.
Blurry or unrecognizable visuals
Google's policy names blurry, unclear or unrecognizable visuals. A low-resolution export or a shot too dark to read fits the description.
A linked video that is no longer available
Not on Google's help page
In real accounts, several ads whose linked video had become unavailable were disapproved under a separate category. Their status looked like a video problem, but the picture and sound were not the cause. The fix was to relink or replace the video.
Fix it in this order
- Read the Policy details and confirm the message names video quality. If it names the video as unavailable, go to the relink step.
- Watch the whole video, checking the on-screen text and listening for the sound.
- Edit the ad in Campaigns, then Ads, make the change and save. Google re-reviews the edit, usually within 24 to 48 hours.
- If the video cannot be edited, upload a different video that complies.
- If the ad points at a video that is no longer available, relink a working video to the ad before editing anything else.
When to appeal
Appeal through your Google Ads account only if you believe the decision is an error.
If you cannot fix or appeal, remove the ad, which Google says helps prevent suspensions for repeated violations.
Often confused with
A feature used for the wrong purpose. This one is a question of how the video looks and sounds.
A video that is no longer available
The fix is relinking a working video, not editing the video itself. Read the category before editing, since editing a working video changes nothing in this case.