Google to Update Shocking Content Policy for Gameplay Imagery

On August 30, 2023, Google will change its Shocking Content policy to add a gaming-related exception.

As long as it doesn’t feature acts of torture, sexual violence, violence against children, violence against famous real-life people, or violence against an individual or group because of a trait linked to systemic discrimination or marginalization, content that depicts violence in the context of gameplay won’t be regarded as shocking.

Google will alter Shocking content in the Google Publisher Restrictions on August 30, 2023, to include an exception for gameplay imagery. Content is considered to ‘contain gruesome, graphic, or disgusting accounts or imagery’ or ‘depict acts of violence’ in the context of gameplay imagery if it depicts acts of torture, sexual violence, violence against minors, violence against prominent real-name persons, or violence against an individual or group on the basis of a characteristic associated with systemic discrimination or marginalisation.

This modification will go into effect on August 30, 2023.

Please examine the update to see whether it affects your website or app. If your site or app previously obtained restricted ad serving because to Shocking material, but you believe that ad serving should no longer be restricted following the upgrade, you may seek a review or appeal on or after 30 August 2023.

This upgrade is aimed to provide additional clarity for content creators that use gameplay imagery in their work. Publishers that believe their site or app was previously blocked from running advertisements due to Shocking Content but should not be restricted after the update may submit a review or appeal on or after August 30, 2023. Follow to get more live & quick updates here.

Learn more about requesting a review or appeal contact https://support.google.com/adsense support.