Why Do Facebook & Google Ads Accounts Get Banned? (How to Prevent It)
If you’ve ever woken up to that dreaded “Your account has been disabled” message, you’re not alone. Ad account bans on Facebook and Google are way more common than most marketers would like to admit. And once you're banned, getting back in can be a nightmare. So why does it happen? And more importantly, how do you stay on the safe side? Let’s break it down.
Common Reasons Accounts Get Banned
1. Misleading Content
If your ad promises one thing but delivers something else, it’s game over. That includes fake scarcity, exaggerated claims, or sketchy before-and-afters.
Example: Saying “Lose 10 pounds in 3 days” or “Make $5,000 by Friday” is an instant red flag.
2. Low-Quality Landing Pages
Your landing page matters just as much as your ad. If it’s spammy, slow to load, or stuffed with pop-ups, you're risking a ban.
Tip: Add a privacy policy, terms of service, and a contact section. Looks basic, but it builds trust.
3. Circumventing Systems
If you’re trying to trick the algorithm with cloaking, banned domains, or multiple fake accounts, you’re asking for a ban. These platforms are smarter than you think.
Heads up: Using shady tactics might work for a while, but they’re not sustainable long term.
4. Poor Feedback Scores
Facebook especially watches for negative reactions. If users keep hiding your ads, reporting them, or bouncing from your page, you’ll get flagged.
What to do: Monitor your ad relevance and avoid aggressive copy that feels clickbaity.
5. Unstable Ad Spend Behavior
Going from $10 a day to $1,000 overnight without history? Looks suspicious. So does launching a bunch of ads with no past activity.
Advice: Scale gradually and warm up new accounts before going big.
How to Stay Compliant (And Still Get Results)
1. Study the Ad Policies
It’s not exciting, but it’s necessary. Facebook and Google both publish detailed policy docs. Bookmark them. Read them. Stay updated.
2. Use a Business Manager or MCC
Manage multiple assets through verified structures like Facebook Business Manager or Google’s MCC. It gives you more control and reduces risk.
3. Verify Your Domain
It’s a small but powerful signal of trust. It also helps with attribution and keeps your ad content aligned with your brand.
4. Avoid Copy-Paste Funnels
Just because a funnel worked for someone else doesn’t mean it will for you. Duplicate funnels get flagged all the time.
Build your own pages. Write original copy. Stand out for the right reasons.
5. Warm Up Your Ad Accounts
New accounts need time to build trust. Start with small, compliant campaigns. Let your pixel and account get some clean history before launching anything aggressive.
6. Use Pre-landers Wisely
If you’re in affiliate or arbitrage, use pre-landers to bridge the gap between platform-friendly ads and offer pages. But don’t abuse it - your pre-lander still needs to meet ad policy standards.
What to Do If You Get Banned
First - don’t panic.
Review the policy violation, appeal (politely), and be honest. Sometimes, it’s just a false positive.
If that doesn’t work, consider:
Using a verified agency account
Partnering with a white-hat media buyer
Setting up new accounts with clean setups (different IPs, payment methods, domains)
But don’t make a habit of burning accounts. Long-term success comes from playing by the rules - or at least getting close.
Final Thoughts
Getting banned sucks, but it usually doesn’t come out of nowhere. Most bans are preventable if you respect the platform’s rules and build trust slowly.
Treat your ad account like a business asset, not a throwaway. Play smart, stay compliant, and you’ll avoid the ban hammer.
And if you’re not sure whether your ad is crossing a line? Assume it is, and play it safer.