Top Reasons Ads Fail Moderation

Last updated: April 20, 2026

Every ad you create goes through two levels of review: Influ2's media buying team, then the platform moderators (Meta, Google, LinkedIn, Microsoft, Amazon). This dual review keeps ads compliant and delivers a positive experience for users.

Understanding these guidelines helps you create ads that pass moderation quickly and drive results.

Design issues

  • Non-existent functionality — Ads with fake buttons, checkboxes, or search bars imply interactivity but don't work. This misleads users and degrades the ad experience. Every interactive element needs to actually function.

Landing page issues

  • Non-functional landing page — Pages with broken elements, poor navigation, unoptimized PDFs, or mobile-unfriendly designs get rejected. If a user can't easily navigate your page, the ad fails. See here.

  • Missing privacy policy — Ads linking to pages without a visible privacy policy are declined. Transparency builds trust. See here. 

  • Redirecting landing pages — Multiple redirects confuse users and raise legitimacy concerns. Send users directly to the page you want them to see. See here.

  • 404 error — Broken links harm user experience and your brand credibility. Test your landing page before launch. See here.

  • Disruptive experiences — Intrusive pop-ups or unexpected elements derail the user journey. Keep the landing page experience smooth and intentional. See here.

General ad policy violations

  • Monetary compensation and investment schemes — Ads promising quick money or easy gains are restricted to protect users from scams. These are high-risk for platforms. See here.

  • Grammar and profanity — Poor grammar or profanity reflects poorly on your brand and gets rejected. Proofread carefully. See here and here.

  • Meta, Facebook, or Instagram brand misuse — Implying affiliation with Meta products without permission is prohibited. Use platform branding only with approval. See here.

  • Cryptocurrency trading — Crypto ads require prior written approval due to high financial risk. See here and here.

  • Gambling and gaming — Ads related to gambling or gaming with real money need written permission from the platform. See here and here.

  • Prohibited content — Alcohol, tobacco, firearms, and drugs are generally declined to keep the environment safe for all users. See here for alcohol, tobacco, and weapons information.

  • Personal attribute targeting — Targeting based on race, religion, gender, health status, or other sensitive attributes is prohibited to protect privacy and respect. See here.

  • Social issues and politics — Ads about elections, political causes, or controversial social issues are restricted to maintain platform neutrality. See here.

  • Clickbait rewards — Offering gift cards, rewards, or prizes in exchange for engagement is manipulative and not permitted. See here.

How to avoid rejection

  • Test your landing page on desktop and mobile

  • Verify all links work and lead to the right page

  • Proofread for grammar and clarity

  • Use only transparent, compliant ad copy

  • Avoid sensitive targeting and restricted products

  • Follow each platform's specific brand guidelines

Additional resources