Why Google disapproves an ad for image quality
Direct answerGoogle disapproves images that are rotated, blurry, flashing, or that do not fill the slot you chose. The image quality page also disapproves ads that expand beyond the frame. A graphic that reacts to the mouse is allowed when the user starts the motion and it stops after 5 seconds. A warning is issued at least 7 days before suspension.
The image bans
- Images that are sideways, upside down, or that do not take up the entire space of the chosen image size.
- Images that are blurry, unclear, unrecognizable, or contain illegible text.
- Strobing, flashing, or otherwise distracting images.
- Ads that expand beyond the frame or encroach on the website or app.
Headline capitalization and symbol spam are editorial text rules. An image rejection on Facebook is the Meta image checklist. Fixing the crop will not clear a personal-attributes rejection, and a Meta approval will not clear this Google label.
Video is the next label over
The video quality page disallows videos with illegible text, poor sound, or blurry, unclear, or unrecognizable visuals. If the file cannot be edited into compliance, upload a different video. Do not assume an image-quality disapproval on a video campaign is the image page. Read the asset type in the account.
Sources
Reviewed October 8, 2026. Policies change. This is not legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
Is a Meta image rejection this policy?
No. Meta’s image rejections are on Meta’s advertising standards, including personal attributes and health creative. This page is Google’s editorial image-quality rule: orientation, sharpness, flashing, and images that leave empty space or spill out of the frame.
Are hover effects banned?
No. Google says mousing effects are allowed when the movement is started by the user and stops after 5 seconds. Strobing, flashing, or otherwise distracting images are not allowed. An ad that expands past the frame is a separate ban.
Does a blurry video use this label?
Video quality is its own page. It disallows illegible text, poor sound, and blurry, unclear, or unrecognizable visuals. If you cannot repair the file, that page says to upload a different video.
Look at the creative before the slot rejects it
LaunchGuarding can scan an image ad for policy risk in the picture and the copy. It does not resize the file to Google’s slot.