Google Ads Cracks Down on Misleading Pricing: New Rules Start October 28

Marketers, brace yourselves. Google is overhauling its Misrepresentation policy to crack down on pricing tactics that mislead users. It’s a move that feels long overdue—especially if you’ve ever felt blindsided by hidden fees or ambiguous trial offers. Now, advertisers must get crystal clear about what customers will actually pay before and after they click “buy.”

The Core Changes

Google’s update zeroes in on any pricing practice that paints a false picture of costs. Advertisers are now required to disclose, in a clear and conspicuous way, the exact payment model or total expense a user will incur. No more clever footnotes buried in tiny font. No more surprises on the final bill.

This policy explicitly outlaws:

• Bait-and-switch tactics: advertising an unrealistically low price to lure users, only to steer them toward a pricier alternative
• Price exploitation: hiking charges on people in vulnerable spots—think locksmiths demanding far more than earlier quotes under duress
• Promoting “free” apps that actually charge to install
• Offering free trials without making it obvious both how long the trial lasts and that charges kick in automatically

Why Should You Care?

Because come October 28, 2025, these rules aren’t just suggestions. Over the following four weeks, Google will ramp up enforcement. Slip up, and you’ll get a warning at least seven days before any account suspension. That’s generous by internet standards, but don’t toy with it.

Think your ads are safe? It’s worth a second look. Could an asterisk here or a vague “terms apply” there land you in hot water? Probably. And the last thing you want is wasted ad spend or, worse, a tarnished reputation.

How to Prepare

Review every ad—text, images, landing pages. Hunt for any hint of ambiguity in pricing. If you find copy that glosses over costs, either rewrite it or pull it down before October rolls around.

It’s a bit of work. But clarity builds trust. And in the long run, honest pricing can be a real competitive edge.

What do you think about Google’s tougher stance on pricing? Drop your thoughts in the comments below—and don’t forget to follow us on Facebook, X (Twitter), or LinkedIn for the latest updates on digital advertising trends.

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Sources:

• www.support.google.com/merchants/answer/6150127?hl=en
• www.searchengineland.com/google-ads-updated-policies-to-target-dishonest-pricing-practices-462555