SEARCH ENGINE JOURNAL – Google is introducing a 'Dating and Companionship' ads policy, including mandatory certification for dating app advertisers starting 4th March. Dating sites featuring explicit content or promoting affairs will face strict restrictions. The policy bans those that:
- Promote underage dating
- Use misleading images or text
- Promote paid companionship or sexual acts
- Support exploitative or deceptive practices
- Advertise mail-order spouses
Hook-up apps, fling, swinger sites, affair services, sexual fetish dating, and apps with nudity or suggestive content will face additional restrictions. Restrictions will depend on ad type, user age, local laws, SafeSearch settings, and past searches for sexual content. Google's policies on Inappropriate Content and sexual content will also be updated. The policy aims to reduce misleading and inappropriate ads, to build trust among users of dating services. Google will be sharing more details about the certification process and policy updates.
See full article at Search Engine Journal
Mark Brooks: Facebook clamped down on dating ads years ago. Now it's Google's turn. This will end up being good for the dating industry and the quality incumbents.