Why you're seeing an ad

When you see an ad from Google's network, you can see more details:

  • Google services, like Google Search, YouTube, or Gmail: Click Info Information and then  Why This Ad. 
  • Non-Google websites and apps that partner with Google to show ads: Click AdChoices Why This Ad.
  • For some ads on Google's network, you can click Paid for by to learn additional information about the advertiser.

Reasons you might see an ad

  • Your info:
    • Info in your Google Account, like your age range and gender
    • Your general location
  • Your activity:
    • Your current search query
    • Previous search activity
    • Your activity while you were signed in to Google
    • Your previous interactions with ads
    • Types of websites you visit
    • Types of mobile app activity on your device
    • Your activity on another device
  • Other info:
    • The time of day
    • Info you gave to an advertiser, like if you signed up for a newsletter with your email address

Google can personalize ads so they're more useful to you.

Personalized ads aren't shown or hidden from you based on sensitive categories, like race, religion, sexual orientation, or health.

Types of ads you might see

  • Ads on Google services: You might see ads with results on Google Search, or before you watch a video on YouTube.
  • Ads on non-Google websites and apps: Non-Google websites and apps (like a newspaper's website or a gaming app) that show ads from Google.

How Google works with advertisers

Ads are necessary for many websites to provide free services or information. Ads also help keep many Google services free.

As an ad network, Google connects:

  • People who own websites with ad space
  • People who want to promote a product
  • People who think the product is interesting

Google doesn't sell your personal info to anyone, and doesn't let anyone read your emails to show you ads.

  • Websites that host ads can only see info that you ask Google to share.
  • Advertisers can only see how well their ads are performing.

Learn more about how Google ads work.

Google's advertising standards

Google takes part in industry groups that create and follow standards in online advertising:

Paid for by 

For some ads on Google's network, you can see more details about the advertiser by clicking the Why this Ad icon in the corner of the ad and then clicking  Paid for by.

The Paid for by disclosures provide additional information about the advertiser who paid for the ad, including the advertiser’s name and some biographical details. Some of this information may be required by law.

You can click the View more ads link in the Paid for by disclosure to see additional ads paid for by the advertiser and details about those ads in the Political Advertising on Google Transparency Report

Related links

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