Google has rolled out a new policy update for message assets in Google Ads, effective October 30, 2025. John Horn, CEO of StubGroup, explains what’s changing, how to verify your assets, and what steps you need to take to stay compliant before enforcement begins. In this video, you’ll learn: -What “message assets” are and how they work in Google Ads-The two approved methods for verifying message assets-How to link your domain or add tracking tags for verification-Why Google is enforcing this new policy-What happens if you don’t verify before the rollout date Stay current on Google Policy Updates by visiting our Policy Center → https://stubgroup.com/stubgroup-google-policy-center/ Chapters 0:00 Intro0:04 What are message assets in Google Ads?0:42 Google’s 2025 update announcement0:57 Verification option 1: Add messaging link to your website1:36 Important nuances for placement and domain matching2:51 Verification option 2: Confirm domain ownership3:36 Why Google is enforcing this update4:01 Example of misuse that led to the change4:21 Why this protects advertisers and consumers4:26 Deadlines and next steps4:35 How StubGroup can help Connect with StubGroup on Social Media:--------------------------------------------------🐦 Follow us on X: https://x.com/stubgroup📱 Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StubGroup/👥 Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stub-group/📷 Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stubgroupadvertising/

Tired of getting spam or low-quality leads from your Google Ads campaigns? In this video, John Horn, CEO of StubGroup, shares proven strategies for improving your lead quality, cutting out bad traffic, and helping Google focus on the customers you actually want. You’ll learn how to: -Identify where low-quality leads come from-Fix issues caused by Display, Search Partners, or Performance Max-Use better ad copy and landing pages to qualify visitors-Set up call tracking and offline conversion imports-Train Google to target the right kinds of conversions As a Premier Google Partner, StubGroup has managed lead gen campaigns for over a decade.  And these are the same steps we use for our clients every day. Let us help you dominate Google Ads: https://stubgroup.com/free-google-ads-evaluation/ Chapters 0:00 Intro0:19 Why lead quality matters0:51 Common culprits: Display, Search Partners, Performance Max2:57 How to improve clarity in ads and landing pages4:51 Using form captures to filter spam5:21 Adding friction to qualify better leads6:01 Why call tracking is essential6:47 Bidding toward real conversions (not spam)8:31 How offline conversion tracking works9:53 Advanced strategy: Uploading “bad leads” to diagnose issues10:28 Summary + next steps Connect with StubGroup on Social Media:--------------------------------------------------🐦 Follow us on X: https://x.com/stubgroup📱 Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StubGroup/👥 Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stub-group/📷 Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stubgroupadvertising/

If your Google Ads account has been suspended for malicious software, this video walks you through exactly what that means and how to fix it. StubGroup’s CEO, John Horn, explains what Google is flagging, how to identify real threats or false positives on your site, and how to successfully appeal a suspension. In this video, you’ll learn: -What triggers a malicious software suspension-How to scan your site for hidden malware or links-What to include in your appeal to Google-Why Google’s system sometimes stays “stuck” even after fixes-How StubGroup can help you recover faster Download our FREE Website Audit Guide (along with other free guides) by visiting our Google Policy Center → https://stubgroup.com/stubgroup-google-policy-center/ Hire the experts to fix your Google Ads Malicious Software suspension → https://stubgroup.com/how-to-reverse-a-google-ads-account-malicious-software-suspension/ Chapters 0:00 Intro0:12 What “malicious software” means0:33 Common causes of the suspension1:18 Why Google rarely gives clear details1:31 How to scan your website for malware2:01 Fixing and documenting your cleanup2:20 How to prepare a successful appeal2:56 When Google stays “stuck” after your fixes3:15 How StubGroup can help Connect with StubGroup on Social Media:--------------------------------------------------🐦 Follow us on X: https://x.com/stubgroup📱 Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StubGroup/👥 Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stub-group/📷 Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stubgroupadvertising/

If people are using ChatGPT, Gemini, Grok, Claude, etc. to find products and services, will your business show up? John Horn, CEO of StubGroup, explains how Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) works, and why it’s the next evolution of search visibility. Just like SEO helped businesses rank on Google, GEO helps you get featured in AI-generated answers from ChatGPT and other models. In this video, you’ll learn: -What Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) means-How AI search differs from Google SEO-Why showing up in ChatGPT results matters for your business-How StubGroup helps clients optimize for these new AI engines Don’t get left behind! Businesses already ranking on ChatGPT are gaining a MASSIVE edge. Let us help you leverage the power of GEO: https://stubgroup.com/ Chapters 0:00 Intro0:04 Why businesses need to rank on ChatGPT0:26 Rise of AI-powered search (ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude)0:36 What Generative Engine Optimization means0:50 How GEO compares to SEO1:06 What StubGroup is doing to help clients rank1:16 Why GEO is changing faster than SEO ever did1:32 How to stay ahead of the competition1:45 Closing and call to action Connect with StubGroup on Social Media:--------------------------------------------------🐦 Follow us on X: https://x.com/stubgroup📱 Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StubGroup/👥 Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stub-group/📷 Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stubgroupadvertising/

If your Google Merchant Center account is suspended and you’ve been asked to complete video verification, here’s everything you need to know. John Horn, CEO of StubGroup, explains what this new beta program means, who it applies to, and what to expect during the verification process.  This includes how to avoid mistakes that could slow down your reinstatement. In this video, you’ll learn: -What Google’s new video verification process is-How to correctly answer Google’s business-type questions-What to include in your continuous video submission-Common pitfalls that can cause verification failure-Why this new beta could expand to more Merchant Center suspensions Fix Your Google Merchant Center Misrepresentation Suspension → https://stubgroup.com/how-to-reverse-a-google-merchant-center-misrepresentation-suspension/ Access our FREE guides here → https://stubgroup.com/stubgroup-google-policy-center/ Chapters 0:00 Intro0:08 What is video verification?0:21 When Google started testing it0:47 Where to find the verification notice1:10 How to answer the three business-type questions2:02 Why accuracy matters in your answers2:16 What to include in your video (requirements by type)2:54 Continuous video rule explained3:13 Pros and cons of this new system3:47 Why some videos may still fail4:06 What to expect as Google expands this beta4:15 How StubGroup can help Connect with StubGroup on Social Media:--------------------------------------------------🐦 Follow us on X: https://x.com/stubgroup📱 Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StubGroup/👥 Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stub-group/📷 Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stubgroupadvertising/

<p>Being a Google Premier Partner helps StubGroup generate better returns for our clients.In this quick video, Yuki Yuan (Strategic Agency Manager at Google) sits down with John Horn (CEO at StubGroup) to discuss how hard it is to get into Google&#39;s Premier Partner program and the benefits that come from being in the program.Would you like a top Google Premier Partner managing your Google advertising? Start here: https://stubgroup.com/free-google-ads-evaluation/<br></p>

<p>In this case study, John shares how StubGroup helped an agency fix their client&#39;s Google Merchant Center and Google Ads account suspensions.You’ll learn:-Why agencies often turn to StubGroup for suspension recovery.-How Google Merchant Center suspensions can trigger Google Ads account suspensions.-What key website credibility fixes (policy pages, About Us, FAQs, contact info) made a difference.-How a hidden functionality error nearly cost this client their ad account.-The step-by-step process we used to appeal and reinstate both accounts.Get our free guides to fixing Google suspensions → https://stubgroup.com/stubgroup-google-policy-center/Hire the experts to fix your Google suspension → https://www.stubgroup.com/how-to-reverse-a-google-ads-account-suspensionChapters0:00 Intro: Helping Another Agency’s Client0:20 Why Agencies Hire StubGroup0:50 Common Concerns About Client Trust1:15 Case Study: E-commerce Power Tools Store1:32 Two Suspensions: Misrepresentation &amp; Terms/Conditions1:55 Why Fixing Merchant Center Comes First2:20 A Privacy-Focused Client Challenge2:53 Website Audits &amp; Policy Updates3:18 Fixing Functionality Issues (Cart Errors)4:29 Successful Appeal &amp; Full Reinstatement4:53 Takeaways: Helping Agencies &amp; AdvertisersConnect with StubGroup on Social Media:--------------------------------------------------🐦 Follow us on X: https://x.com/stubgroup📱 Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StubGroup/👥 Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stub-group/📷 Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stubgroupadvertising/</p>

<p>If you manage Google Ads for clients, few things are scarier than seeing the red suspension bar.In this video, StubGroup CEO John Horn explains:-How to talk to your client when their account is suspended-Why suspensions aren’t always your fault-A 3-step process to fix suspensions: Audit the ad account, audit the website, audit the online footprint-How agencies can partner with StubGroup to resolve suspensions (including white label support)Read the full 2025 Suspensions Report → https://stubgroup.com/blog/the-state-of-google-ads-suspensions-2025/Hire the experts to fix your Google suspension → https://www.stubgroup.com/how-to-reverse-a-google-ads-account-suspensionChapters0:00 Intro: Agencies facing client suspensions0:31 Be transparent with your client0:56 Why suspensions aren’t always your fault1:36 Step 1: Audit the ad account1:39 Step 2: Audit the website1:42 Step 3: Audit the online footprint1:54 Fix issues and start the appeal process2:03 How StubGroup partners with agencies2:27 Helping agencies fix their own suspensions2:34 Closing: How to get helpConnect with StubGroup on Social Media:--------------------------------------------------🐦 Follow us on X: https://x.com/stubgroup📱 Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StubGroup/👥 Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stub-group/📷 Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stubgroupadvertising/</p>

<p>What is a Comparison Shopping Service (CSS), and why does it matter for advertisers in Europe?In this video, John Horn (CEO of StubGroup) breaks down:-What CSS platforms are and how they work-Why Google Shopping itself is considered a CSS-How EU laws require Google to allow competing CSSs-The fees and performance differences between Google Shopping and third-party CSSs-How advertisers can choose the best CSS for their strategyWant help with your Google advertising? Get a FREE audit: https://stubgroup.com/free-google-ads-evaluation/Connect with StubGroup on Social Media:--------------------------------------------------🐦 Follow us on X: https://x.com/stubgroup📱 Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StubGroup/👥 Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stub-group/📷 Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stubgroupadvertising/</p>

<p>Struggling with a Google Ads Circumventing Systems suspension?We’ve released a free guide to help you understand and resolve this issue. In the guide, you’ll learn:-What the circumventing systems policy is-The most common reasons accounts trigger this suspension-Real case studies of how StubGroup has fixed this problem for clients-Resources to audit your own ad account and website👉 Download your free guide by visiting our Google Policy Center: https://stubgroup.com/stubgroup-google-policy-center/Connect with StubGroup on Social Media:--------------------------------------------------🐦 Follow us on X: https://x.com/stubgroup📱 Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StubGroup/👥 Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stub-group/📷 Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stubgroupadvertising/</p>

<p>Google is phasing out the Content API for Shopping and replacing it with the Merchant API.And EVERY e-commerce advertiser will be impacted.In this video, John Horn (CEO of StubGroup) explains:-What the Merchant API is and how it works-The deadline for switching (August 18, 2026)-What Shopify, WooCommerce, and other platforms are doing for advertisers-What to do if you rely on a custom API connection-Why you should act early to avoid issues with Google Merchant CenterWant help with your Google advertising? Get a FREE audit: https://stubgroup.com/free-google-ads-evaluation/Chapters:0:00: Intro: Google’s update for e-commerce advertisers0:09: From Content API for Shopping → Merchant API0:32: What the API does for your product data0:51: Why Google is making this change1:10: Deadline: August 18, 20261:31: Risks if you don’t update in time1:35: What Shopify, WooCommerce &amp; big platforms will handle for you1:58: Confirming your platform’s readiness2:08: Custom API setups: what you must change2:25: Why you should start early2:50: How StubGroup can help with e-commerce advertisingConnect with StubGroup on Social Media:--------------------------------------------------🐦 Follow us on X: https://x.com/stubgroup📱 Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StubGroup/👥 Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stub-group/📷 Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stubgroupadvertising/</p>

<p>Google announced changes to its dishonest pricing practices policy (a subcategory of Misrepresentation) on September 23, 2025, with enforcement beginning October 28, 2025.In this video, StubGroup CEO John Horn explains:-What the updated dishonest pricing policy means-Key examples Google flagged (bait-and-switch tactics, price exploitation, misleading free trials)-How this impacts subscriptions, SaaS, locksmiths, apps, and more-What actions you should take now to stay compliant and avoid suspensionsRead Google&#39;s announcement: https://support.google.com/adspolicy/answer/16502634?hl=enRead StubGroup&#39;s full 2025 Suspensions Report → https://stubgroup.com/blog/the-state-of-google-ads-suspensions-2025/Hire the experts to fix your Google suspension → https://www.stubgroup.com/how-to-reverse-a-google-ads-account-suspensionChapters0:00 Intro: Dishonest Pricing Practices update0:25 When the policy takes effect (Sept 23 &amp; Oct 28, 2025)0:54 Clear and conspicuous pricing disclosure explained1:42 Bait-and-switch tactics vs. loss leaders3:56 Price exploitation (example: locksmiths)5:37 Misleading app installs and free trials6:43 How to prepare your website and landing pages7:05 Enforcement date reminder and next stepsConnect with StubGroup on Social Media:--------------------------------------------------🐦 Follow us on X: https://x.com/stubgroup📱 Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StubGroup/👥 Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stub-group/📷 Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stubgroupadvertising/</p>

<p>Google cracked down harder than ever in 2024, suspending over 39 million advertiser accounts. And early data from 2025 shows the trend isn’t slowing down.In this video, StubGroup CEO John Horn walks through our latest suspension study and shares insights you won’t find anywhere else:-The most common Google Ads suspension types in 2025-How many advertisers and ads were suspended last year-Estimates for Google Merchant Center suspensions and Business Profile takedowns-The industries most likely to be hit (affiliates, healthcare, finance, and more)-How long it takes to fix suspensions, and why appeals are harder now- Google’s new AI-driven review system and transparency updatesRead the full 2025 Suspensions Report → https://stubgroup.com/blog/the-state-of-google-ads-suspensions-2025/Get our free guides to fixing Google suspensions: https://stubgroup.com/stubgroup-google-policy-center/Hire the experts to fix your Google suspension → https://www.stubgroup.com/how-to-reverse-a-google-ads-account-suspensionChapters0:00 Intro: Why suspensions matter in 20250:50 Top suspension reasons: Circumventing Systems &amp; Unacceptable Business Practices1:56 How many accounts and ads were suspended in 20242:30 Google Merchant Center suspensions (estimates)3:04 Google Business Profile suspensions3:42 Policy combinations and verification suspensions5:02 Limited ad serving explained5:55 Industries hit hardest in 20256:35 Can working with an agency prevent suspensions?7:22 Ad transparency and phishing scams8:37 How long it takes to fix suspensions9:09 AI-driven reviews and changing appeal forms10:47 Harder to fix issues after June 2024 freeze11:15 Steps to take if you are suspendedConnect with StubGroup on Social Media:--------------------------------------------------🐦 Follow us on X: https://x.com/stubgroup📱 Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StubGroup/👥 Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stub-group/📷 Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stubgroupadvertising/</p>

<p>Low-quality or deceptive landing pages are a common reason for Google Ads disapprovals or even account suspensions.In this video, StubGroup CEO John Horn explains:-What Google considers a low-quality or deceptive landing page-Common mistakes (thin content, copied text, image-only pages, fake reviews, broken URLs)-Best practices for compliance (original content, privacy policy, working homepage, clear navigation)-How to improve user experience and avoid red flagsGet Our Free Website Audit Guide → https://stubgroup.com/stubgroup-google-policy-center/Hire the experts to fix your Google suspension → https://www.stubgroup.com/how-to-reverse-a-google-ads-account-suspensionChapters0:00 Intro – Why landing page quality matters0:19 Lacking original content0:56 How affiliates can stay compliant1:26 Not enough content (thin pages)1:39 Image-only landing pages and crawling issues2:04 Missing privacy policy and legal pages2:13 Homepage expectations from Google3:00 UX issues (pop-ups, timers, aggressive graphics)3:23 Fake or copied reviews3:41 Building trust with original, useful content4:34 How to stay compliant and get helpConnect with StubGroup on Social Media:--------------------------------------------------🐦 Follow us on X: https://x.com/stubgroup📱 Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StubGroup/👥 Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stub-group/📷 Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stubgroupadvertising/</p>

<p>Google now requires advertisers to confirm whether their campaigns include political ads in the European Union.In this video, StubGroup CEO John Horn explains:-Why Google is asking this question in 2025-How to confirm at the campaign level-Why setting it at the account level is faster and safer-Where to find the option in your account settingsIt’s not a complicated update, but you need to take action to keep your ads running smoothly.Want help with your Google advertising? Get a FREE audit: https://stubgroup.com/free-google-ads-evaluation/Chapters0:00 Intro: Why Google is asking about EU political ads0:18 Where to find the setting in Google Ads0:23 How to confirm at the campaign level0:30 Why the account-level setting is recommended0:46 What to do if you are running political ads0:59 Wrap-up: Simple step, important to completeConnect with StubGroup on Social Media:--------------------------------------------------🐦 Follow us on X: https://x.com/stubgroup📱 Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StubGroup/👥 Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stub-group/📷 Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stubgroupadvertising/</p>

<p>In this Clicks to Customers episode, John Horn interviews Sani Abdul-Jabbar: Entrepreneur, technologist, and author of Makers: A Slender Knowledge. They dive into why tools alone aren’t a competitive advantage, how agentic AI changes org charts, and why your data and creativity are the real moat. Sani also shares practical frameworks for turning scattered SOPs, ads, and historical results into collaborating AI agents, plus how to price AI products in a fast-moving market and the ethics we must build into AI.What you’ll learn:-How to use agentic AI to preserve organizational memory and compound learning-Turning internal data into a durable moat (and why “features” aren’t tech)-Pricing models that fit today’s AI buyer behavior (credits &amp; pay-as-you-go vs. -subscriptions)-Spotting hype cycles and evaluating AI claims with rigor-Why human values and ethics must be embedded from the startLinks mentioned:Get &quot;Makers: A Slender Knowledge&quot;: https://www.amazon.com/Makers-Slender-Knowledge-Sani-Abdul-Jabbar/dp/B0CMQZ7JWC/Connect with Sani on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sani/Learn more about StubGroup: https://stubgroup.com/Chapters:0:00 Intro0:55 Meet Sani Abdul-Jabbar2:06 From IT &amp; ERP to mobile, blockchain, and AI5:31 Why AI “completes the picture” of data → insights → action7:34 Agentic AI: beyond ChatGPT to collaborating “colleagues”9:13 Your real moat: data + implementation, not tools12:55 Putting agents on the org chart (and why they stay when people leave)15:04 Building a 3-agent ads loop: create → run → analyze → iterate17:20 Buy vs. build: custom agents and lightweight stacks18:52 Pricing AI: credits &amp; pay-as-you-go that match user behavior25:02 Lessons from past tech waves &amp; hype cycles32:01 Feature vs. technology (and the IP test)34:20 Sani’s book: Makers of Slender Knowledge (ethics &amp; human values in AI)39:03 Keep learning: Why the competitive edge is curiosity + action40:21 Connect and closingConnect with StubGroup on Social Media:--------------------------------------------------🐦 Follow us on X: https://x.com/stubgroup📱 Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StubGroup/👥 Connect with us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/stub-group/📷 Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stubgroupadvertising/</p>

<p>If your Google Ads account is suspended, there’s a strong chance that the issue is with your website. In this video, we explain why auditing your site is such a critical part of fixing suspensions and what Google looks for when reviewing appeals.To make this easier, we’ve created a comprehensive Guide that covers everything you should check, from essential policy pages (refunds, privacy, disclaimers) to contact information, malware scans, and crawlability issues.Get our free Google Ads Website Audit Guide → https://stubgroup.com/stubgroup-google-policy-center/Hire the experts to fix your Google suspension → https://stubgroup.com/how-to-reverse-a-google-ads-account-suspension/Chapters0:00 – Intro0:04 – Why website audits matter for suspensions0:14 – Auditing your site before appealing0:27 – How StubGroup handles website audits0:37 – Key pages and policies to include0:50 – Disclaimers and contact info Google expects0:58 – Technical checks: malware and crawlability1:11 – Free Website Compliance Audit Guide1:20 – Expert help from StubGroup</p>

<p>Tim Ferriss used Google Ads to test book titles before launching The 4-Hour Workweek. It was brilliant. But if he tried the same tactic today, Google would likely suspend him.In this video, we break down:- How Tim used ad click-through rates to pick his title- Why sending traffic to an under construction page would trigger Google&#39;s Circumventing Systems policy- What Unacceptable Business Practices means in 2025- How ad policies have evolved and what advertisers need to avoid nowThis isn’t about calling out Tim . . . it’s about showing how fast platforms change, and how smart strategies from yesterday could get you banned today.Get our free guide to fixing Google suspensions → https://stubgroup.com/stubgroup-google-policy-center/Hire the experts to fix your Google suspension → https://stubgroup.com/how-to-reverse-a-google-ads-account-suspension/00:00 Introduction – Tim Ferriss’ Title Testing Strategy00:05 The Backstory – Choosing “The 4-Hour Workweek” Title00:14 Using Google Ads to Test Multiple Title Ideas00:22 Ad Headlines as Potential Book Titles00:35 Measuring Click-Through Rates to Pick the Winner00:43 Driving Traffic to an “Under Construction” Page00:59 Why This Would Get You Suspended by Google Today01:03 Circumventing Systems Policy – No “Under Construction” Pages01:10 Unacceptable Business Practices – Promoting Undeliverable Content01:24 Clarifying – Tim Ferriss’ Strategy Was Smart for the Time01:33 How Google’s Advertising Rules Have Evolved01:42 What Worked Then Could Get You Banned Today01:46 Subscribe for More Tips on Avoiding Google Suspensions</p>

<p>Google just introduced a brand new campaign type (AI Max for Search) and it could change how advertisers manage search ads moving forward. In this video, John explores what AI Max is, how it borrows from Dynamic Search Ads, what’s new (like ad group-level location targeting and asset automation), and what we still don’t know.We also unpack Google’s push toward full AI-powered campaign creation and the early beta rollout starting this month.</p>

<p>Businesses often wonder about using single or multiple accounts; this video clarifies that. We address key reasons for each approach, focusing on **Google Policy** and practical considerations. Don&#39;t miss these crucial tips for your Google Ads account management.</p>