Google has significantly intensified its efforts to combat harmful online advertising in South Korea, removing 175.5 million ads that violated its policies in 2025. The move is part of the company’s broader strategy to strengthen ad safety using advanced artificial intelligence tools, particularly its Gemini model, which is increasingly central to its enforcement systems.
The figures were revealed in Google’s 2025 Ads Safety Report, which highlights how AI is transforming the way the company detects and blocks problematic content. In South Korea alone, the company also suspended 326,000 advertiser accounts linked to policy violations, reflecting a strong push not only to remove harmful ads but also to curb repeat offenders from exploiting the platform.
A key factor behind this large-scale enforcement is Google’s use of AI-driven systems that can identify and block violations before they reach users. The company reported that more than 99% of policy-violating ads are now stopped at an early stage, showcasing a shift from reactive moderation to proactive prevention. This approach allows Google to detect patterns, analyze behavior, and prevent malicious campaigns from scaling.
The nature of ad violations in South Korea varies across categories, with copyright infringement emerging as one of the most common issues. Other major violations include abuse of ad networks, misleading content, dating and matchmaking services, and inappropriate or sexual material. These trends highlight the evolving tactics used by bad actors and the need for localized monitoring strategies tailored to specific markets.
Globally, Google’s enforcement efforts have expanded at a massive scale, with the company blocking or removing more than 8.3 billion ads in 2025. The integration of AI tools like Gemini has enabled faster response times, improved accuracy, and reduced errors in enforcement actions. As digital advertising continues to grow, Google’s increasing reliance on AI signals a long-term shift toward automated, scalable solutions to maintain a safer online ecosystem.
