In a world of online dating, the options (and ads) seem endless.
If you’re tired of seeing countless ads about personal events in your life, there’s good news ahead.
Google is now expanding its “sensitive ads” category on YouTube and display ads.
What does this mean for users?
So far, Google’s sensitive categories on YouTube have limited the frequency of ads for addictive gambling or alcohol products.
Now, Google is looking to limit its ad serving to more personal, sometimes traumatic subjects.
Expanded category options on YouTube and Display now include:
- Dating
- Pregnancy and Parenting
- lose weight
- Alcohol (added before)
- Gambling (added before)
If you choose to see less of these ads, your settings will also automatically apply to the Display Network. For reference, the Display Network includes over 2 million websites, videos, and apps.
How to restrict sensitive categories
First, you’ll want to go to your”Ad Settings” page and scroll to “Sensitive ad categories on YouTube.”
Image credit: Google.com, Screenshot by author, May 2022Then you’ll click View Less for any category you want to limit.
You can allow these choices at any time in the ad settings page.
Pro tip: When viewing sensitive categories, you can see all the ways you can personalize ads based on the category.
If you don’t want to belong to a category or interest No more, you just click on the category and select “Close”.
Image credit: Screenshot by author, May 2022
Image credit: Screenshot by author, May 2022A foolproof solution?
While Google is doing its best to limit these types of ads for a better user experience, this option doesn’t mean you’ll never see these themes in ads.
E.g, policy states that “it does not allow advertisers personalized advertising Based on certain topics, such as alcohol and gambling, but you may see interest-based ads for these. “
Breaking it down, limiting these features will not allow advertisers to personalize ads for you on these topics.
For example, if you choose to watch less ads for weight loss, you won’t see ads for dieters, gyms, etc.
However, you might see an ad for a product that isn’t about weight loss, but the image might show a person hiking or doing some type of physical exercise.
What does this mean for advertisers?
If your business falls into one of these sensitive categories, don’t panic.
While Google allows users to restrict this type of content, that doesn’t mean you can’t advertise to anyone.
On the positive side, this change will help you reach a more targeted and receptive audience because they don’t limit these ad categories.
Featured Image: New Africa/Shutterstock
