Google announced that it removed rough 2.7 billion ads last year as part of its more stringent protocols to block malicious and misleading campaign actors on its platform.
The search giant has also suspended nearly 1 million accounts for violating its policies. On the publisher side, it terminated over 1.2 million accounts and removed ads from more than 21 million web pages.
Google's announcement arrives following the launch of a special task force to combat fraudsters taking advantage of the coronavirus crisis. According to the company, it has observed a massive spike in fraudulent ads for in-demand products like surgical face masks and disinfectants. The tech giant notes it's been able to respond with new tech designed to stop looming threats from malicious actors.
The move has resulted in a widespread removal of millions of misleading coronavirus-related ads over the last few months. The ads often list overpriced items, misrepresented the quality of the product, or were displayed by merchants who failed to ship orders.
In a further effort to boost transparency, Google last week said it would require all advertisers to complete a verification process before buying ad space on its platform. Google announced it will be phasing in its advertiser verification program beyond political advertisers. Advertisers will be required to submit business incorporation documents and other identifying information in order to be verified. Users will be able to check the business name and country in a disclosure on verified advertisers' ads.
Due to the huge rise of Google Search usage in recent months, the company has started working with health authorities and governments to run credible and reliable information about the coronavirus pandemic.
"Maintaining trust in the digital advertising ecosystem is a top priority for Google, and with global health concerns now top of mind for everyone, preparing for and responding to attempts to take advantage of our users is as important as it has ever been," Scott Spencer, Google's vice president of ads privacy and safety wrote in a blog post.
Alphabet, Google's parent company on Tuesday, posted revenue of $41.2 billion in the first quarter - up 13 percent year on year and ahead of analysts' expectations. The report comes with a warning from chief financial officer Ruth Porat, saying that the second quarter "will be a difficult one," as many companies continue to cut off expenses due to the ongoing health crisis.
