Definition
Google restricts advertising for recovery-oriented drug and alcohol addiction services and requires advertisers to be certified to promote these services in specific locations.
Key Takeaways
- Eligibility is location-specific and requires certification for supported regions.
- Ads and landing pages are reviewed, so consistency and clarity matter.
- Build campaigns around trust and transparency, not aggressive promises.
Why It Matters for Treatment Centers
Addiction services advertising has tighter rules than many other verticals. Programs that ignore policy commonly face disapprovals or account issues that stall growth.
Treatment Lens: What to Do Before You Launch
Confirm certification requirements, align your website claims with what you can deliver, and avoid language that implies guaranteed outcomes. Make sure tracking and call handling are ready so you can optimize for quality once campaigns run.
What Google Says at a High Level
Google states it restricts the promotion of recovery-oriented drug and alcohol addiction services and permits it for supported locations when the advertiser is certified by Google.
Common Mistakes
- Building campaigns before certification is in place.
- Using sensational language that increases review risk or damages trust.
- Sending ad traffic to thin pages that do not clearly explain services.
Related Terms
LegitScript Certification, Conversion Tracking, Landing Page
FAQ
Where can we advertise these services?
Google lists supported locations and the certification pathway in its policy documentation.
Does certification apply to keywords, ads, and landing pages?
Yes. Google reviews the full experience, not only the ad text.
Can we run mental health ads if we do not mention addiction?
Policies vary by category. Confirm against current policy and your account’s certification status.
If you want campaigns built to survive review and perform, we can structure your ads and landing pages around compliant messaging and qualified conversion tracking.