Google Ads will rename its "Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation" (CSAE) ads policy "Child Safety" and restructure it as a standalone policy outside the Inappropriate Content policy, according to the platform's official 2026 Policy Changes page, as tracked by AuditSocials. Enforcement of the new Child Safety policy begins January 11, 2027.

Google Ads announced the change on October 22, 2026. AuditSocials detected the update on October 23, 2026, and rated its severity as medium. The change applies globally to paid ads.

The new policy covers all formats, including real, fictional, cartoon and AI-generated media. It will have two labels. Egregious Child Safety Violations, such as CSAM, grooming, sextortion and child trafficking, lead to account suspension on detection without prior warning.

Other Child Safety Violations, such as non-sexual depictions of child nudity, will receive a warning at least 7 days before any suspension.

AuditSocials lists the Kids & Teens industry as affected. Advertisers should review ads and landing pages for any non-sexual depictions of child nudity and remove them before January 11, 2027.