Cloaking
The deceptive practice of showing different content to platform reviewers than what actual users see, a serious policy violation.
What Cloaking means
Cloaking is one of the most serious policy violations in digital advertising. It involves showing different content to platform review systems (compliant content) than what actual users see when they click the ad (non-compliant content). Techniques include IP-based redirect detection, user-agent switching, JavaScript-based detection, and domain-level cloaking. All major platforms have zero-tolerance policies for cloaking, and detection typically results in immediate account disabling with little chance of appeal. Platforms use sophisticated detection methods including manual spot-checks, automated crawling with varied parameters, and user reports. Cloaking is commonly used to promote prohibited products like illegal drugs, counterfeit goods, or unauthorized gambling.
Related terms
Account Disabled
When an ad platform permanently or temporarily shuts down an advertiser's account due to repeated or severe policy violations.
Landing Page Policy
Platform rules governing the destination pages that ads link to, including requirements for functionality, content, and user experience.
Ad Fraud
Fraudulent activity that manipulates ad delivery, clicks, or conversions to generate illegitimate revenue or inflate metrics.
Prohibited Content
Content categories that are completely banned from advertising on a platform, with no exceptions or appeal options.