Google Ads Updates Policy on Dishonest Pricing Practices

Starting October 28, 2025, Google Ads will roll out an update to its Misrepresentation Policy that specifically targets dishonest pricing practices. The update is designed to protect users from misleading or unclear costs and ensure advertisers maintain transparency in how they present pricing.

What’s Changing

Advertisers will now be required to:

• Clearly disclose payment models or full expenses — both before and after purchase.
• Avoid pricing practices that create false or misleading impressions about the cost of a product or service.

Google specifically called out several prohibited tactics, including:

• Bait-and-switch tactics: Advertising a product or service at a low price with no intention of selling it, only to push customers toward a more expensive or inferior option.
• Price exploitation: Charging significantly above market rates by exploiting customers in urgent or vulnerable situations (e.g., a locksmith demanding unexpected fees on-site).
• Misleading app promotions: Advertising apps as free when users must pay to install them.
• Unclear free trials: Promoting free trials without disclosing the trial period or automatic charges once the trial ends.

Enforcement Timeline

• Effective Date: October 28, 2025
• Ramp-up: Enforcement will increase gradually over about 4 weeks.
• Violations: Accounts won’t be suspended immediately. Instead, advertisers will receive a warning at least 7 days before any suspension occurs.

What Advertisers Should Do

Google recommends reviewing all active and planned ads before the October deadline to ensure compliance. If your campaigns include any ads that fall under these restrictions, remove or update them in advance to avoid violations.

Why It Matters

This policy shift highlights Google’s commitment to creating a safer, more transparent advertising environment. For advertisers, non-compliance could lead to campaign disruptions, negative impacts on account health, and wasted ad spend.

Review your ad copy, landing pages, and promotional tactics now to stay ahead of the changes and keep your campaigns running smoothly.

At Earn SEO, we specialize in helping businesses navigate the ever-changing landscape of paid advertising. As trusted PPC consultants in New York, we ensure your campaigns are compliant with Google’s latest policies while still driving maximum ROI. With the October 28th Google Ads update on dishonest pricing practices, it’s more important than ever to have experts on your side to review, optimize, and protect your accounts.