Google Will Update Shocking Content On 30 August 2023: Update to Shocking content in the Google Publisher Restrictions

 Google Will Update Shocking Content On 30 August 2023: Update to Shocking content in the Google Publisher Restrictions

Dear AdSense Publisher,

On 30 August 2023, Google will update Shocking content in the Google Publisher Restrictions to include an exception for gameplay imagery. In the context of gameplay imagery, content is only considered to “contain gruesome, graphic, or disgusting accounts or imagery” or “depict acts of violence” if it depicts acts of torture, sexual violence, violence against minors, violence against prominent real-name persons, or violence against an individual or group on the basis of a characteristic that is associated with systemic discrimination or marginalization.

This update will take effect on 30 August 2023.

Please review the update to determine if it affects your site or app. If your site or app received restricted ad serving previously due to Shocking content but you believe ad serving should no longer be restricted following the update, you may request a review or appeal of your site or app on or after 30 August 2023. Learn more about requesting a review or appeal.

Shocking content is content that:

contains gruesome, graphic, or disgusting accounts or imagery.

Examples: Blood, guts, gore, sexual fluids, human or animal waste, crime scene or accident photos depicts acts of violence.

Examples: Accounts or images of shootings, explosions, or bombings; execution videos

contains a significant amount of or prominently features obscene or profane language.

Examples: Swear or curse words, variations and misspellings of profane language

Request a Review

After you've made the required changes for a policy violation and/or the optional changes for a publisher restriction, you may request a review of your site.

Note: You must request a review for each site with policy enforcement(s) in your Policy center for ad serving to continue on that site.

To request a review of your site:

Sign in to your AdSense account.

Click Account and then Policy center.

Click Fix next to the site you’d like to be reviewed.

In the "Issues found" section, click Request Review.

Note: The Request review button will be inactive if your site has been reviewed and rejected several times recently. Check the date provided to find out when you can request another review for your site.

Review the information in the dialog box, then describe the changes you made to comply with Program policies or explain the reason you think a violation may not apply.

Check the checkbox to confirm you’re ready for a review.

Click Request review.

Review status

Check the "Status" column in the Policy center for updates about your review. If the status is Under review, your site is being reviewed and a decision hasn’t been made yet.

If your review is rejected, you’ll be notified via email and in the "Issues found" section. Review the policy violation details again to ensure you make the correct changes on your site. Once you’ve re-reviewed the policies and made additional changes, you can request another review.

If your review is successful, the enforcement will be removed from the Policy center and you’ll be notified via email.