Google Blocks Over 5 Billion Bad Ads in 2024, Suspends 39 Million Advertisers Amid Rising AI-Driven Scams

In a sweeping move to protect users and maintain the integrity of its advertising ecosystem, Google revealed that it blocked or removed more than 5.1 billion malicious ads in 2024 and suspended over 39.2 million advertiser accounts. The majority of these accounts were flagged and blocked by Google’s automated systems before harmful ads ever reached users.

These actions were part of the company’s annual ad safety report, which highlights the growing threat of fraudulent advertising and the increasing reliance on AI-powered tools to combat emerging threats.

The Scale of the Crackdown

In addition to removing billions of bad ads, Google restricted 9.1 billion ads and blocked or restricted ads on 1.3 billion pages. Over 5 million accounts were suspended for scam-related violations alone.

Some of the most common policy violations in 2024 included:

• Ad network abuse – 793.1 million violations
• Trademark misuse – 503.1 million
• Improper use of personalized ads – 491.3 million
• Legal requirement breaches – 280.3 million
• Violations in financial services – 193.7 million
• Misrepresentation – 146.9 million

The platform also cracked down on content categories like sexual content, malware, derogatory or shocking content, weapons, gambling, alcohol and tobacco sales, and intellectual property abuse.

AI Takes the Front Seat in Ad Safety

Google emphasized the growing role of artificial intelligence in detecting abuse patterns early on. By analyzing signals such as business impersonation tactics and illegitimate payment methods, AI helped identify and block scam attempts before they could do real harm.

One notable area of concern was the rise of AI-generated deepfakes used in public figure impersonation scams. In response, Google suspended over 700,000 accounts tied to these violations. This effort was part of a broader initiative that removed 415 million scam-related ads in 2024.

Ensuring Election Integrity with Transparency

In preparation for global elections, Google expanded its Advertiser Identity Verification program to over 200 countries and territories. This move was aimed at increasing transparency and ensuring that election-related ads meet strict standards—especially when involving AI-generated content.

As a result:

• 8,900 new election advertisers were verified
• Over 10.7 million election ads from unverified accounts were removed

The Evolving Ad Safety Landscape

Google acknowledged that the ad safety environment is constantly changing, shaped by technological advances, new abuse tactics, and global events. The company reiterated its commitment to staying agile and innovative to keep up with the ever-evolving threat landscape.

With malvertising now a major initial access vector for malware, the stakes are higher than ever. As threat actors continue to abuse ad platforms like Google Search to lure users to malicious sites, comprehensive defenses—powered by AI—are becoming essential.

Final Thoughts

Google’s 2024 ad safety report is a strong reminder of the increasing sophistication of digital threats and the critical role tech platforms play in fighting them. As AI continues to evolve, so too must the tools and strategies used to safeguard users, businesses, and democratic processes from exploitation.