
Election Campaign in Google
Apply for India Election Ads Verification

- Election Ads Policy Overview: Google has implemented strict policies for election ads to ensure transparency and integrity. Advertisers seeking to run election ads must undergo a verification process to confirm their identity and legal status. This is to ensure that only U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents can purchase election ads in the U.S. Moreover, the identity of the advertiser is disclosed within the ad unit to help users understand who is behind the ads they see (blog.google) (blog.google).
- Transparency and Verification: Google requires all advertisers, not just those purchasing election ads, to complete a verification program. This involves submitting personal identification or business documents to prove their identity and the country of operation. This measure is designed to provide users with more information about who is advertising to them and to enhance the overall transparency of the digital advertising ecosystem (blog.google).
- New Policies for AI-generated Content: Starting mid-November 2023, Google will mandate that election advertisers disclose when their ads contain content generated or altered by AI. This includes adding prominent notices such as “This audio was computer generated” or “This image does not depict real events” to help viewers discern AI-manipulated content. This policy aims to prevent misinformation and ensure that voters are well-informed about the nature of the ads they see (GovTech).
- Political Advertising Transparency Report: Google has also launched a Political Advertising Transparency Report, which tracks and provides public access to data on election ads. This report includes information on who purchased the ads, how much was spent, and the reach of these ads. This initiative supports the company’s broader goals of fostering transparency and accountability in political advertising (blog.google).
These measures reflect Google’s commitment to maintaining election integrity and providing users with clear and comprehensive information about the advertisements they encounter. For further details, you can visit Google’s official election ads policy page.
The Google Ads policy for election ads includes several key components to enhance transparency and ensure compliance with legal requirements.
- Verification Requirements: Advertisers must provide government-issued ID and other information to confirm they are U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents to purchase election ads. This is to ensure only eligible individuals or entities are involved in political advertising (blog.google) (blog.google).
- Transparency Reports and Ad Library: Google provides a Transparency Report and a searchable Ad Library detailing who is buying election-related ads, the content of these ads, and the amount spent. This aims to give the public a clearer understanding of political ad spending and sources (blog.google) (blog.google).
- Policy Updates and Enforcement: Google has ended exemptions for products, services, and news in election ads, meaning all such ads must comply with election ad policies and undergo verification. Starting February 15, 2022, election ads will also be subject to new serving options and updated verification requirements (Search Engine Land).
- Ad Serving Restrictions: Election ads can only be served in the advertiser’s home country or region, even if the content pertains to a different country or region. This regulation helps maintain the integrity of local political discourse (Search Engine Land).
For more detailed information, you can visit Google’s official support page on election ads here.