Can Google Ads Be Scams?

Yes, it is possible for Google Ads to be scams. According to the 2023 Google Ads Safety Report, Google successfully blocked and removed over five billion fake ads and suspended almost 13 million advertiser accounts. Even though fake Google Ads are prohibited by Google’s policies, many phony ads go undetected if no one reports them, which could lead to you falling for their scams.

Continue reading to learn how scammers take advantage of Google Ads, the ways you can avoid falling for fake ads and how to report them to Google.

How scammers exploit Google Ads

Cybercriminals create fake ads on Google that appear almost identical to real companies’ ads to trick you into clicking on them. Once you click on a fake Google Ad, you will be directed to a phishing website that looks similar to a legitimate company’s website. The goal of these spoofed websites is to get you to enter your login credentials or credit card number so cybercriminals can steal your information and use it to commit fraud. 

For example, if you search “luxury handbags” on Google and see a sponsored advertisement for a popular brand of purses, a cybercriminal may have paid to show their fake ad so they can trick you into clicking it. If you click on what you think is a legitimate brand’s ad and enter your credit card information to complete a purchase, you will not receive the item and will also have sent your private information to a cybercriminal as part of this phishing scam.

How to avoid falling for a Google Ad scam

There are two main ways you can protect yourself from falling for fake Google Ads: double-checking an ad’s URL and being wary of too-good-to-be-true deals.

1. Hover over ads to verify the URL

If you’re searching Google on your computer, hover your mouse over the ad without clicking on it to verify the URL’s legitimacy. If an ad’s URL doesn’t match the legitimate company it claims to be or has any noticeable discrepancies, do not click on the ad because it will likely lead you to a phishing website. By hovering over the ad before clicking on it, you reduce your chances of falling victim to these fake ad scams.

2. Be skeptical of deals that seem too good to be true

Even though finding an item or service you’ve been wanting at a low price can feel great, you should always be cautious before clicking on any deals that seem too good to be true. These kinds of deals are typically scams because a cybercriminal knows you are more likely to enter your personal information, like your credit card number, to purchase a cheaper item while online shopping. If you fall for these fake ads with inexpensive items and enter your private financial or other information on an illegitimate website, it could fall into the hands of a cybercriminal. Additionally, malware could infect your device without your knowledge, which could lead to even more of your private data being stolen. Malware is a type of software that installs itself on your device after you click on an illegitimate website or enter your private information, allowing it to steal your data and monitor your activity. Instead of clicking on a suspicious Google Ad that may be fake, visit the company’s official website yourself to verify if the product you want is actually being offered at that advertised price. 

How to report suspicious ads to Google

Because Google cannot always catch all fake ads, it’s important that you report any suspicious or illegitimate Google Ads immediately to keep yourself and others protected online. If you have a fake Google Ad pulled up on a Google service, you can report it by selecting More or Info on the ad, then tapping Report ad. If you’re not already signed in to your Google account, enter your email address, then choose the reason for reporting the ad. Fill out the form to report a fake ad and provide any additional details about your experience. Once you complete and submit the form, you’ll receive a confirmation email, and Google will review your report to determine their next actions regarding the ad.

Protect yourself from Google Ad scams

Fake ads on Google can look so similar to legitimate ads that it can be very challenging to tell the difference. However, by hovering over an ad’s URL and being aware of too-good-to-be-true deals, you can protect yourself from falling for these Google Ad scams. 

As soon as you realize an ad is fake or if it looks suspicious, report it to Google so you can help save others from getting scammed too.