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We want users to have adequate information to make informed financial decisions. Our policies are designed to give users information to weigh the costs associated with financial products and services, and to protect users from harmful or deceitful practices.
Learn more about the Financial products and services policy.
Learn more about the “Eligible (Limited)” status.
We want consumers to make informed decisions about the services offered to help them address overwhelming debt. This policy applies to advertisers who offer debt services directly, lead generators, and those who connect consumers with third-party debt services.
To protect users from deceptive and harmful practices, we only allow advertisements for the following debt services in select locations and if all of the following criteria are met:
- The services and ads comply with local laws and industry standards, and
- The targeted location is eligible for certification and the account is certified by Google
Approved targeted locations
Australia, Brazil, Canada, Germany, Japan, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, United Kingdom, United States
Products or services allowed under the Debt services policy with certification
Ads for debt settlement services that offer to negotiate with creditors a reduced, lump-sum payment that will be regarded as payment in full
Debt services certification location specifics
Advertisers who promote debt services (debt settlement and debt management plans) are allowed to advertise through Google Ads in select countries, but they must be certified by Google.
This certification is required for all ad formats and assets.
Australia
|
Allowed with limitations |
Google allows ads promoting debt services as long as the advertiser and provider of these services is appropriately authorized; i.e., is either a debt agreement administrator registered with the Australian Financial Security Authority or holds an Australian credit license. Advertisers must also complete the Financial services verification process. |
Brazil
|
Allowed with limitations |
Google allows ads promoting debt services as long as the advertiser and provider of these services is a financial institution registered with the Brazilian Central Bank. Advertisers must also complete the Financial services verification process. |
Canada
|
Allowed with limitations |
Google allows ads promoting debt services as long as the advertiser and provider of these services is appropriately authorized; i.e., is either a debt agreement administrator registered with the Australian Financial Security Authority or holds an Australian credit license. Advertisers must also complete the Financial services verification process. |
Germany
|
Allowed with limitations |
Google allows ads promoting debt services only if the advertiser and provider of these services is an admitted lawyer (Rechtsanwalt/Rechtsanwältin), or an appointed notary (Notar/Notarin), or an appointed tax advisor (Steuerberater/Steuerberaterin), or an appointed public accountant (Wirtschaftsprüfer/Wirtschaftprüferin). Advertisers must also complete the Financial services verification process. |
Japan
|
Allowed with limitations |
Google allows ads promoting debt services as long as the advertiser and provider of these services is a licensed attorney (bengoshi) or certified judicial scrivener (shiho-shoshi). Advertisers must also be certified with Google. |
South Africa
|
Allowed with limitations |
Google allows ads promoting debt services as long as the advertiser and provider of these services is a debt counsellor registered with the National Credit Regulator. Advertisers must also be certified with Google. |
South Korea
|
Allowed with limitations |
Google allows ads promoting debt services as long as the advertiser and provider of these services is a lawyer or a law firm licensed to practice in South Korea. Advertisers must also complete the Financial services verification process. |
Spain
|
Allowed with limitations |
Google allows ads promoting debt services as long as the advertiser and provider of these services is registered as an Insolvency Administrator by the Ministry of Justice. Advertisers must also complete the Financial services verification process. |
United Kingdom
|
Allowed with limitations |
Refer to the Financial services verification policy for United Kingdom (UK) country specifics. |
United States
|
Allowed with limitations |
Google allows ads promoting debt services only if the advertiser and provider of these services is an approved non-profit budget and credit counseling agency, as defined by 11 U.S. Code § 111, or a national non-profit association representing non-profit credit counseling agencies. Advertisers must also be certified with Google. |
Apply to advertise Debt services
- Check if you are promoting any products or services that require you to be certified by Google.
- Check if the locations you’re targeting are eligible under this policy.
If your targeted location is not on the list of approved targeted locations, Debt services mentioned above cannot be advertised. At this time, we are unable to support advertising in non-approved markets. If your targeted location is on the list, proceed to the next step. - Apply for certification
- For advertisers promoting debt services in Australia, Brazil, Germany, Korea, Spain or the United Kingdom, refer to Financial Services Verification to apply for certification.
- For all other approved targeted locations, if you meet the requirements, apply for Debt services certification. If you want to advertise in more than one location, submit a separate application for each location.
Options to fix
If this policy is affecting your ad, review your options to fix below.
Apply for certification
If your ad was disapproved due to a missing Google certification and you meet the requirements, apply for Debt services certification. If you want to advertise in more than one location, submit a separate application for each location or group of locations.
Appeal policy decision
If you've fixed your destination or believe that we've made an error, appeal the policy decision directly from your Google Ads account to request a review. After we confirm that the destination is compliant, we can approve your ads. If you aren't able to fix these violations or choose not to, remove your ad to help prevent your account from becoming suspended in the future for repeated policy violations.