If your Google Ads account has been suspended for violating the Circumventing Systems Policy since June, and you’ve faced challenges reaching Google for assistance, you’re not alone. Account suspensions related to this policy can be particularly frustrating, especially when attempts to contact Google or appeal the suspension go unanswered. In this article, we’ll explore the possible reasons behind your suspension, your options for appealing the decision, and steps you can take to regain access to your account.
Understanding the Circumventing Systems Policy Violation
The Circumventing Systems Policy is one of Google Ads’ policies aimed at maintaining the integrity of the platform. This policy is intended to prevent users from trying to manipulate or bypass Google’s advertising systems, including:
- Using misleading methods to bypass Google’s ad review process.
- Misrepresenting your business or products to gain an advantage.
- Attempting to avoid ad policies through fraudulent or deceptive practices.
- Exploiting technical loopholes or third-party tools to modify or disguise ads.
In your case, the suspension appears to be linked to your Shopping Ads, which were automatically generated through Kliken on your Lightspeed webshop. Given that Kliken manages the creation and submission of your Shopping Ads to Google, it’s possible that issues related to ad content or non-compliance with Google’s policies were triggered by their automated system.
Why Was Your Account Blocked?
From your description, it seems that your account was suspended because of issues related to Shopping Ads that were disapproved or flagged by Google, possibly due to miscommunication between your webshop platform and Google’s systems. Since you mentioned that Kliken was automatically generating and submitting the ads, it’s important to note that Google may have flagged some of these ads as non-compliant, and without direct visibility or control over what Kliken was submitting, violations may have occurred.
Some possible reasons for the suspension include:
- Non-compliant Product Listings: The Shopping Ads may have been flagged for using inaccurate or misleading product descriptions, pricing, or other information that did not meet Google’s Merchant Center policies.
- Lack of Transparency: If the ads did not clearly represent your business or failed to provide sufficient transparency about your products or services, Google could have flagged them as violating their policy.
- Unresolved Disapprovals: It appears that your ads were continuously disapproved but were appealed automatically without your direct intervention. This process may have triggered a system that flagged your account for violating the circumventing policy due to the lack of resolution or clarity.
- Automated Submissions Causing Miscommunication: When using third-party services like Kliken, automated submissions can sometimes result in miscommunication between the platform and Google Ads, causing system-generated suspensions.
Steps You Can Take to Resolve the Suspension
While it can be frustrating to deal with an unresponsive support system, there are still steps you can take to appeal the suspension and attempt to regain access to your Google Ads account.
1. Review Google’s Circumventing Systems Policy
Before taking further action, it’s crucial to thoroughly review the Circumventing Systems Policy to ensure that none of your activities violated Google Ads’ rules. This includes checking if:
- You have inadvertently misrepresented your business or products.
- The Kliken-generated Shopping Ads were compliant with Google’s Merchant Center and Google Ads policies.
Make sure that your business information is clear and correct, and that your product listings do not contain misleading or prohibited content.
2. Gather Evidence for Your Appeal
You mentioned that you have already sent evidence of your webshop on Lightspeed with Kliken to Google. This is a good first step, but you may want to take additional measures:
- Provide more detailed evidence showing that the ads were being managed by Kliken, and that you had no direct control over the submissions.
- If possible, document your communication with Kliken and show any efforts you’ve made to resolve the disapproved Shopping Ads or any errors that may have occurred on their end.
- Gather transaction records or ad approval status history to support your claim that you were unaware of specific violations or disapproved ads.
3. Submit a Clear and Detailed Appeal
If the standard appeal form or the “appeal button” within Google Ads hasn’t worked for you, consider the following:
- Use the Google Ads Help Center: Go to the Help Center and submit a new appeal. Include all the relevant information about your suspension, including the details of your webshop and the Kliken platform, explaining that you were unaware of any violations.
- Be clear and transparent: In your appeal, explain the situation in detail, including the automated nature of your Shopping Ads generation and your lack of insight into the appeals being submitted on your behalf. Mention that you’re committed to complying with Google’s policies and that you want to rectify the situation.
4. Reach Out to Google Ads Support
If your appeal does not receive a response, and you feel that the system-generated emails are insufficient, try reaching out to Google Ads Support directly:
- Phone support: Contact Google Ads support by phone to explain the situation and ask for guidance on how to proceed with your appeal.
- Email support: If available in your region, email support may allow you to send a detailed explanation of the issue.
- Live chat: Some regions may offer a live chat option, where you can communicate directly with a Google Ads representative to resolve your issue.
5. Contact a Local Agency for Assistance
If you’re based in the Netherlands, and your complaint is unresolved through direct communication with Google Ads, you might want to consider seeking help from a local consumer protection agency or regulatory body. Since you mentioned that you’ve already sent a complaint through the Dutch agency, keep following up with them for any potential escalations or updates.
Preventing Future Suspensions
To prevent similar suspensions in the future, it’s important to:
- Monitor and manage your ad campaigns: Regularly check your Shopping Ads for disapprovals, and make sure to resolve any issues directly within Google Ads or the Merchant Center.
- Work closely with third-party services: If you’re using services like Kliken for automated ad generation, make sure they are aware of and compliant with Google Ads’ policies.
- Stay informed about policy changes: Google Ads updates its policies frequently, so stay up-to-date on any changes that might affect your campaigns.
Conclusion
Dealing with a Google Ads account suspension, especially for reasons like the Circumventing Systems Policy, can be frustrating—especially when it feels like there’s no clear explanation or response from Google. However, by reviewing your account, submitting a detailed appeal with supporting evidence, and working with Google Ads support, you can take steps to resolve the issue. It may take some time, but persistence and clear communication will give you the best chance of getting your account reinstated and continuing to promote your business effectively.