Google healthcare ad policy for telehealth

The Google Ads rules that matter for telehealth, in plain English, with a short quote from Google's policy, a link and the date we last checked it.

Google's Healthcare and medicines policy covers prescription drug services, including online pharmacies and telemedicine. In the United States, telemedicine providers that advertise prescription drug services need LegitScript certification and Google's own certification.

Last checked

What changed

  1. US telemedicine rule corrected

    The rule card quoted a sentence that appears in other countries' sections of the policy (for example Indonesia, the Philippines, Spain and the United Kingdom), not the United States section. It now quotes the United States section: LegitScript accreditation for telemedicine providers, LegitScript or NABP for online pharmacies, and certification with Google.

    Source

  2. Google rules re-checked

    The Google rule on this page was re-read against the Healthcare and medicines policy.

    Source

Prescription drugs and telemedicine

  • In the United States, Google allows telemedicine providers accredited by LegitScript's Healthcare Merchant Certification Program, and online pharmacies accredited by LegitScript or NABP. Advertisers must also be certified with Google. Rules differ by country.

    “Google allows telemedicine providers if they’re accredited by LegitScript’s Healthcare Merchant Certification Program”

    Policy source · checked 2026-11-02 · rule id GOOGLE_TELEMED_CERT

Text limits for search ads

Responsive search ad headlines can be up to 30 characters and descriptions up to 90 (Google Ads Help). Check yours with the ad character counter.

Rules that apply on every platform

  • Health benefit or safety claims need competent and reliable scientific evidence, generally randomized controlled human clinical testing. Testimonials and expert endorsements do not replace substantiation.

    “competent and reliable scientific evidence”

    Policy source · checked 2026-10-29 · rule id FTC_SUBSTANTIATION

  • Testimonials showing results that are not typical are likely deceptive, and 'results not typical' does not fix that. Ads should clearly disclose the results a typical consumer can expect.

    “results not typical”

    Policy source · checked 2026-10-29 · rule id FTC_TYPICAL_RESULTS

  • Compounded drugs are not FDA approved: FDA does not review their safety, effectiveness or quality before they are marketed. Claims that a compounded product is FDA approved, generic, or the same as a branded drug are high risk.

    “Compounded drugs are not FDA approved”

    Policy source · checked 2026-10-29 · rule id COMPOUNDED_EQUIVALENCE

Common questions

What does Google's healthcare ad policy cover for telehealth?

Google restricts the promotion of online prescribing, dispensing and sale of prescription drugs, and names online pharmacies and telemedicine providers among the businesses in scope. Advertisers must apply and be certified to serve ads for prescription drug services.

Which accreditation does Google accept for US telemedicine providers?

In the United States section of the Healthcare and medicines policy, telemedicine providers need LegitScript's Healthcare Merchant Certification Program, online pharmacies can use LegitScript or NABP, and both must also be certified with Google.

Can a telehealth brand bid on prescription drug keywords on Google?

Only after Google Ads approves it, and only in the locations Google lists. Google's prescription drug services page says advertisers must be approved to bid on keywords containing prescription drug terms.

Does Google warn before suspending a telehealth account?

For the prescription drug services policy, Google says it issues a warning at least 7 days before a suspension. Offering prescription drugs without a prescription is treated as an egregious violation, which can lead to suspension when it is detected.

Related answers

  • Meta health ad policy for telehealth

    As of November 2026, Meta lets telehealth brands promote their services generally without written authorization, but ads that promote prescription drugs need active LegitScript certification, Meta authorization, a consult-a-professional disclaimer, targeting of people 18 or older and only the US, Canada or New Zealand. Weight loss and sexual health ads must target adults. Telehealth Media, a telehealth-only ad creative agency, links each rule below to Meta's policy page.

  • Google Ads Telehealth Compliance: Healthcare Certification

    As of November 2026, a US telehealth brand can run Google ads for prescription drug services only after Google certifies the account, and Google first asks for LegitScript or NABP accreditation. Telehealth Media, a telehealth-only ad creative agency, treats Google's Healthcare and medicines policy as the rule set: certification opens the door, and each ad and landing page is still reviewed.

  • How LegitScript Review Works for Telehealth Ads

    As of November 2026, LegitScript certification is a review of whether a business that sells, prescribes or facilitates prescription medications online meets LegitScript's Certification Standards. Meta requires it before telehealth providers promote prescription drugs, and Google's US policy requires it for telemedicine providers. Telehealth Media, a telehealth-only ad creative agency, treats it as a prerequisite, not an approval: each platform still reviews every ad.

  • Google vs Meta Ad Policy for Telehealth: Certification Rules

    As of November 2026, Google and Meta both put prescription drug promotion behind certification, with different triggers. Google requires its own healthcare certification for prescription drug services, with LegitScript first for US telemedicine providers. Meta requires LegitScript plus Meta authorization to promote prescription drugs, yet lets ads promote telehealth services generally without written authorization. Telehealth Media, a telehealth-only ad creative agency, writes to both rule sets separately.

Related guides and tools

Sources

  1. Google Ads: Healthcare and medicines policy (including the United States location section) (checked 2 November 2026)
  2. Google Ads: Prescription drug services (certification, keywords, warnings) (checked 2 November 2026)
  3. Google Ads Help: Responsive search ad character limits (checked 2 November 2026)
  4. FDA: Human drug compounding (checked 2 November 2026)

Last reviewed . Platform policies change often; we re-check this page every quarter.

This page is general information about platform policies, not legal advice. Policies change; check the linked source before you run ads.