Google policies by product

Google Search

Google prevents links to infringing web pages from appearing in Google Search results by cooperating with creators and rightsholders to remove links to allegedly infringing content

• Submit a copyright notice on Google Search

  If you’re the copyright owner, or a reporting organisation, use this form to submit requests asking us to remove material or links to a web page that allegedly infringes copyright.
• Submit a counter notification on Google Search

  Fill in this webform if you believe your content was mistakenly removed.
• How to report content for legal reasons on Google Search

  Watch this video for information about processes and tools for requesting the removal of content from Google products for legal reasons.
• FAQs on copyright removals on Google Search

  Find answers to the most common questions about Google Search removals due to copyright removal requests
• How removals on Google Search may impact an Ad listing

  How removals on Google Search may impact an Ad listing

  Google does not want to be in business with sites specializing in piracy. Through integration with Search’s tools for processing DMCA takedown notice...

  Google does not want to be in business with sites specializing in piracy. Through integration with Search’s tools for processing DMCA takedown notices, Google will stop serving ads on pages that receive a valid DMCA notice. We will also block that page from displaying any AdSense advertising in the future.
• How sites get down ranked in Google Search results

  How sites get down ranked in Google Search results

  Google Search combines hundreds of different signals to determine which results rise to the top and which do not. Copyright removal notices may trigg...

  Google Search combines hundreds of different signals to determine which results rise to the top and which do not. Copyright removal notices may trigger a copyright demotion signal. If we receive multiple valid removal notices for a site, the entire site may be downgraded in Search results.
• Delisting domains from Google Search results

  Delisting domains from Google Search results

  Upon receipt of court orders against third parties, Google may voluntarily remove sites from Search. Google has long deferred to the decisions...

  Upon receipt of court orders against third parties, Google may voluntarily remove sites from Search. Google has long deferred to the decisions of courts regarding what content may lawfully appear to web users in their jurisdictions. When a court decides that a website, as a whole, should be shut down or blocked, we typically honor that request when it’s brought to our attention and remove the site from Search Results in that jurisdiction to help the court effectuate its order. We’ve deployed this policy to block many sites found unlawful by courts in the United Kingdom, Spain, Australia, and other countries.

  To submit a court order, please use this form.
  View more
• How to remove content for legal reasons

  Watch this video about the process and tools for requesting content to be removed from Google products for legal reasons.

Google Advertising

Google does not allow ads that are unauthorised to use copyrighted content and is committed to rooting out and ejecting rogue sites from our advertising services.

• Report a bad ad/listing

  Use this form to report an ad for legal violation (copyright, trademark, counterfeit), or violation of Google product policies
• How we protect copyright on Ads

  We abide by local copyright laws and protect the rights of copyright holders by not allowing ads that are found be infringing
• How we prevent repeat infringers on Ads

  We take repeat violations of policies seriously by applying strikes for non-compliance. Learn more here.
• How we verify and disclose advertisers identity

  We verify the identity of advertisers on our platform and include a disclosure with the name of the advertiser, and where they are located, on ads served through Google Ads.
• How removals on Google Search may impact an Ad listing

  How removals on Google Search may impact an Ad listing

  Google does not want to be in business with sites specializing in piracy. Through integration with Search’s tools for processing DMCA takedown notice...

  Google does not want to be in business with sites specializing in piracy. Through integration with Search’s tools for processing DMCA takedown notices, Google will stop serving ads on pages that receive a valid DMCA notice.
  We will also block that page from displaying any AdSense advertising in the future.
• Misrepresentation policy

  We don’t allow ads that deceive users by excluding relevant product information or providing misleading information.
• Enabling dishonest behavior policy

  We don't allow the promotion of products or services that are designed to enable dishonest behavior. See what these are.
  View more
• Submit certification to use copyrighted content

  Submit written documentation proving you have permission to use a third party’s intellectual property on your ad.

Google Play

Our policies prohibit apps that infringe copyright, encourage illegal streaming, or attempt to deceive users by impersonating other apps. We also offer tools and services to help developers fight piracy and protect their intellectual property.

• Report an infringing app or content on Google Play

  Use this form to report for legal violations (Copyright, Trademark, Counterfeit) or policy violations on Google Play.
• How we protect intellectual property on Google Play

  We don’t allow apps or developer accounts that infringe, or encourage infringement of, the intellectual property rights of others.
• Developer tools to protect intellectual property

  We offer integrity and signing services that help developers fight piracy and distribute their apps and games as intended.
• How we enforce our policies on Google Play

  Find out about the actions we’ll take if an app violates any of our policies.
• Impersonation policy

  We don’t allow apps that mislead users by impersonating someone else. This includes another developer, company, entity, or app.
• Submit a notice to use copyrighted content in apps

  Submit written documentation proving you have permission to use a third party’s intellectual property in your app.

YouTube

We work with rights holders and creators of all types to fight piracy on YouTube. Based on the scale of their content this is either through our webform, or copyright management tools.

• What is a Copyright claim on YouTube

  A copyright claim refers to either a copyright removal request or a Content ID claim, which are two different ways to assert copyright ownership on YouTube. Find out about how they differ.
• Report content on YouTube

  Use these forms to report content for policy and legal violations, including copyright.
• How copyright strikes work on YouTube

  Learn about copyright strikes, which are different from community guidelines strikes, and what happens when you receive one.
• Submit a copyright counter notification on YouTube

  What to do if you believe your content was mistakenly removed due to a copyright removal request.
• Retract a copyright removal request on YouTube

  If you submitted a copyright removal request in error, you can retract it by following these steps.
• YouTube harmful content policy in the context of piracy

  YouTube doesn’t allow content showing viewers how to gain unauthorized access to services that normally require payment.
• How community guidelines strike work on YouTube

  If your content violates our community guidelines, your channel will get a strike. Find out how it works.
  View more

Other products