If you wait for Google to tell you that your ad is not compliant, it’s already too late. In 2025, Google’s 3-strike RAF rule makes every violation dangerous. One strike is a warning. Three strikes can cost you your RSoC access for good.
Seasoned media buying teams don’t just launch and hope for the best. They run their own checks before campaigns go live. By auditing your ads first, you cut the risk of disapprovals, avoid wasted spend, and protect your feed.
For a full breakdown of how the strike system works, see Google’s 3-Strike RAF Rule Explained.
What To Look At When Auditing
A proper audit has three elements: ad creatives, landing pages, and keywords. Google reviews the whole flow, not just one element.
Start with your ad copy. Does the headline make a promise you can keep? Are you avoiding exaggerated numbers or fake urgency? Simple language that matches the offer always performs better in the long run.
Then review the landing page. The headline should connect directly to the ad. The content must be clear, transparent, and relevant. If the ad is about comparing car insurance, the page should show an actual comparison, not a generic lead form for loans.
Finally, check your targeting and keywords. Make sure there are no restricted terms, even hidden in metadata or alt text. Also, confirm that the keywords fit the intent of the page. If a user expects one thing and gets another, you risk a violation.
A Simple Pre-Launch Checklist
Before you push a campaign live, go through this quick list:
- Ad headlines and descriptions make real promises
- Landing page headline matches the ad
- Page loads fast and works on mobile
- No misleading claims, fake testimonials, or shock image
- Keywords and metadata are free of banned terms
This routine only takes a few minutes but can save you from weeks of downtime if an account gets flagged.
Why Automation Helps
Manual checks work if you run a few campaigns. But when you manage dozens across multiple accounts, it’s easy to miss something. That’s when automation becomes critical.
Compliance tools like TheOptimizer can scan creatives before they go live and flag risky ads. For feed providers, this protection is even more important. If an affiliate ad breaks the rules, it’s your feed that gets the strike. Automated ad scoring and access to the ad help you stop that before it happens.
What To Do If You Miss Something
Even with audits in place, mistakes can slip through. If Google issues a strike, pause the campaign right away. Fix the issue in your copy, page, or keywords. If you believe the strike is wrong, you can appeal, but only if you are sure the ad is fully compliant.
Every strike matters. Keeping a record of what caused it will help you and your team avoid the same problem in the future.
Final thoughts
Auditing your RSoC ads is not about slowing down. It’s about protecting your business. The few minutes you spend on checks will save you far more in lost revenue and wasted spend.
Think of it as part of campaign setup, not an extra step. The media buyers who treat compliance this way will keep running profitably in 2025 while others watch their accounts go dark.
If you are not sure what violations to look for, review this guide: RSoC Compliance in 2025: What Google Won’t Tolerate Anymore. Pair it with regular audits and you’ll stay one step ahead of Google.