Fix Google Ads Copyright Violation

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Images & Photos in Your Ads

Every image you use in an ad must either be yours or properly licensed

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Every image in my ads was taken by me, created by me, or purchased with a commercial licence

Saving an image from Google Images and using it in your ad is copyright infringement — even if it looks like a generic photo. You must own it, have bought it from a stock site (Getty, Shutterstock, Adobe Stock), or have written permission from the creator.

Critical

I have confirmed that my stock images allow commercial advertising use — not just personal or editorial use

Some stock licences cover personal or editorial use only and do not cover paid advertising. Check every image's licence terms. When in doubt, buy a commercial advertising licence specifically.

Critical

I have removed or replaced any image copied from a competitor's website or another brand's materials

Taking product photos or graphics from a competitor's site — even as reference images a designer used — is copyright infringement. Replace all such images with your own originals or properly licensed alternatives.

Critical

My product images were taken by me or provided directly by the manufacturer or supplier in writing

Many sellers use product images scraped from Amazon or brand websites. These are copyrighted by the manufacturer or photographer. Always get images from your supplier's official press kit or take your own original photos.

Critical

I do not use screenshots of famous apps, branded interfaces, or social media platforms in my ads

Screenshots of Apple's App Store, Instagram's UI, Google Maps, or any branded software are protected by copyright and additional platform terms. Do not use these in ads without explicit written permission from the platform owner.

Important

I have not used images of celebrities, athletes, or public figures in my ads without their written consent

Using a photo of a celebrity or their likeness — even one found online — implies an endorsement they have not given. This is both a copyright issue and a right-of-publicity violation. Always get explicit written consent before using any real person's image.

Critical

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Text, Content & Written Copy

Written content including descriptions, slogans, and taglines can be copyrighted

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My ad copy and website text was written by me or my team — not copied word-for-word from another website

Copying product descriptions, service explanations, or marketing copy from another website — even a supplier's site — is copyright infringement. All text must be originally written or properly licensed.

Critical

I do not use song lyrics, book quotes, film dialogue, or poem lines in my ads or landing pages

Even a single line from a song, book, or film is copyrighted. Using any published literary or musical work in your ad without a licence is infringement — even if you credit the source.

Critical

My landing page does not reproduce articles, blog posts, or news stories from other publications

Republishing content from news sites, industry publications, or other blogs — even with a source credit — is copyright infringement unless you have a syndication agreement. Summarise in your own words and link to the original.

Important

I do not use another brand's registered tagline or slogan in my advertising

Famous taglines like "Think Different," "Because You're Worth It," or "Just Do It" are protected as both trademarks and copyright. Using them — even as an ironic reference — in paid ads can trigger a violation and a direct complaint from the brand owner.

Important

Any testimonial or review I display was given directly by the customer with permission to use it in marketing

Copying reviews from Amazon, Google, or Trustpilot and displaying them on your landing page without permission can infringe the review author's copyright. Always ask customers directly for permission to use their words in your advertising materials.

Important

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Logos, Branding & Trademarks

Using another brand's visual identity without permission is both copyright and trademark infringement

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I do not display any other brand's logo in my ads or on my landing page without written authorisation

A logo is a copyrighted artwork. Placing Nike's swoosh, Apple's logo, or any other brand's logo on your ad — even to show compatibility or that you sell their products — requires explicit written permission from that brand's legal team.

Critical

My ad does not use font styles, colour combinations, or visual layouts deliberately copied from a well-known brand

Creating an ad that looks like it was made by Apple, IKEA, or Coca-Cola — copying their exact fonts, colour palette, and layout — can constitute trade dress infringement. Your ads must have your own distinct visual identity.

Important

I have not used fictional characters or mascots owned by other companies in my ads

Mickey Mouse, the Michelin Man, the GEICO Gecko, or any branded character is copyrighted property. Using them — even as a small reference — in your ads without a licensing deal is a serious copyright violation.

Critical

If I am a reseller or affiliate, I follow the brand's official partner guidelines for logo and trademark use

Authorised resellers are given specific rules about how and where they can use a brand's logo. Violating those rules — even as an official partner — can trigger a copyright complaint directly from the brand owner to Google.

Important

My website domain name does not include another brand's trademarked name

A domain like "niketrainers-deals.com" or "apple-support-help.net" infringes those brands' trademarks. If your domain includes another brand's name you should change it — and definitely before running any Google Ads to it.

Critical

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Video & Audio Content

Music, video clips, and sound effects are the most commonly infringed assets in advertising

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All music in my video ads is royalty-free with a commercial advertising licence, or is original music I created

This is the single most common copyright violation in video advertising. Using any popular song — even for a few seconds — without a sync licence is infringement. Use royalty-free music from Epidemic Sound, Artlist, or Musicbed which provide proper commercial ad licences.

Critical

I have confirmed my music licence specifically covers paid advertising — not just personal uploads or organic posts

Some royalty-free licences allow uploading a video to YouTube but do not cover using that video as a paid ad. Check the exact licence wording: it must say "commercial advertising" or "paid promotion" is permitted. If it doesn't say it, assume it's not allowed.

Critical

My video ads do not include clips from films, TV shows, sports broadcasts, or news footage

Even a one-second clip from a movie, a goal from a football match, or a news segment is protected by copyright. Broadcast rights are extremely expensive. Do not use any such content without a formal commercial licence — there are no exceptions.

Critical

All sound effects in my ads come from a licensed library or were created by my team

Famous notification sounds like Apple's default ringtone, branded jingles like Intel's chime, or McDonald's "ba da ba ba baa" are all protected. Use a licensed SFX library for all non-original sounds in your ads.

Important

Every person appearing in my video ads has a signed model release permitting use in paid advertising

People have the right to control how their image is used commercially. If anyone appears in your video — even as a background extra — you need a signed model release that explicitly permits use in paid advertising campaigns.

Important

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Your Landing Page & Website

Google checks the page your ad points to — copyright issues there affect your whole account

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Every image and graphic on my landing page has a valid commercial licence or is original

Google reviews the landing page your ad points to — not just the ad creative itself. Any unlicensed image on that page can be flagged. Audit every image on your landing page and confirm you have a commercial licence for each one.

Critical

My website does not embed or stream copyrighted videos or music I have not licensed

Embedding a YouTube video you do not own, playing a copyrighted song as background audio, or streaming any unlicensed content on your website can be flagged. Only embed content you own or that explicitly permits third-party embedding.

Critical

My website design is original — it was not built by copying the HTML or CSS code of another site

Duplicating another website's design by copying its HTML or CSS — even with different text and images — infringes the original designer's copyright. Your site must use an original design or a legitimately licensed theme.

Important

All icons and illustrations on my site come from a source that allows commercial advertising use

Many free icon sites like Flaticon and Freepik require attribution or charge extra for commercial advertising use. Downloading icons without the correct commercial licence — or without required attribution — is infringement. Check every icon set's terms.

Important

Any downloadable files on my website consist entirely of original or properly licensed content

Offering a free e-book that reproduces chapters from a published book, or a PDF containing copyrighted charts or images, is infringement. Every downloadable file on your site must be entirely original or fully licensed for redistribution.

Important

Every font used on my website has a valid web and commercial advertising licence

Custom fonts are copyrighted software. Using a font downloaded without a web licence, or a desktop-only font on a website, is infringement. Use Google Fonts (all free for commercial use) or fonts with an explicit web and advertising licence.

Good Practice

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DMCA Complaints & Your Appeal

Before you submit your appeal, these steps are essential — one wrong move can end your chances

0/5

I have identified exactly which piece of content triggered the copyright complaint — image, text, audio, or video

Check your Google Ads policy centre for the specific ad or asset that was flagged. You cannot write an effective appeal without knowing precisely what caused the violation. If the notice is unclear, check every asset in the flagged campaign.

Critical

I have fully removed or replaced the infringing content from my ads AND my landing page before appealing

Submitting an appeal before removing the offending content is the most common mistake that causes rejection. Remove or replace the content completely, then wait 24 hours before submitting your appeal so Google's systems can detect the change.

Critical

If I believe the complaint was filed in error, I have gathered solid proof of ownership before filing a counter-notice

If someone filed a false copyright complaint you can file a DMCA counter-notice — but this carries legal consequences. You are declaring under penalty of perjury that you have the right to use the content. Only proceed if you are absolutely certain, and ideally with legal guidance.

Important

My appeal clearly states what I removed, what replaced it, and confirms the new content is original or fully licensed

A strong appeal says: (1) exactly what the infringing content was, (2) that it has been removed, (3) what replaced it, and (4) that the replacement is fully licensed or original. Vague appeals saying "I fixed the issue" are rejected almost every time.

Critical

I have audited all my other ads and landing pages to confirm no similar copyright violations exist elsewhere

Fixing one ad while leaving a similar violation in another campaign will result in your appeal being rejected or your account being re-suspended immediately after reinstatement. Audit every ad, every landing page, and every asset before submitting.

Critical

Fix Your Google Ads
Copyright Violation

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Fix Your Google AdsCopyright Violation

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Fix Your Google Ads
Copyright Violation