Your ad has been disapproved by Google for “speculative and experimental treatment” — what does this even mean?
Many business owners and marketers give up there, assuming Google’s decision is final. But in most cases, it’s either a misunderstanding or a fixable issue with your ad copy or landing page content.
In this article, I’ll explain what this disapproval actually means, how to tell if you can fix it, and when it’s simply not worth the appeal. I’ll also provide practical steps you can take to avoid common triggers and improve your chances of getting approved on the first try.
After 7 years of helping healthcare and wellness businesses work around this exact policy, I can tell you: it’s frustrating, but manageable with the right approach. If it turns out your ads aren’t eligible, I’ll show you alternative channels where you can advertise compliantly.
If you’re dealing with disapprovals and need help getting your ads up and running, schedule a call with Sagapixel today. Our healthcare PPC team will walk you through exactly what to fix, what to avoid, and how to move forward with a compliant, effective campaign.
What Triggers an Ad Disapproval?
So, what triggers this disapproval in the first place?
It essentially comes down to FDA approval and how Google interprets your actions.
For example, you’re completely out of luck if you’re trying to run ads for biohacking—Google treats it as an inherently speculative category.
In some cases, this disapproval shows up simply because you haven’t yet completed a required application to verify that you’re a licensed healthcare provider.
Common Industries Affected by This Policy
The most common industries where we see this disapproval include:
- Hair transplant providers, especially those offering PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) treatments
- Certain types of IV therapy
- Businesses using trigger phrases like:
- Regenerative therapy
- Reverse aging
- Boosting immune response
These keywords raise red flags because they imply treatments that may not have broad scientific or regulatory validation.
Reworking Your Ad Copy to Get Approved
In many cases, Google’s AI may simply misinterpret the content in your ads or on your landing page. This happens frequently with:
- Chiropractors
- TRT/HRT clinics
- Med spas
- Wellness centers
Even if the language is medically accurate and compliant, the system might flag it.
In these situations, it’s usually a matter of reworking the content in your ad copy and your landing page.
There’s no one-size-fits-all solution here, and unfortunately, I can’t cover all of the editing approaches in a single article.
You’ll either need to understand it well or be ready to invest time in learning.
Once your content has been updated to remove all problematic language, submit an appeal. But be warned: if you submit too many appeals without fixing the root issues, it can slow down your account and hurt your chances of getting approved in the future.
Be sure to review your ad copy and your landing page thoroughly before you click “Appeal.”
When There’s No Way Around A Disapproval: Alternative Strategies
If your service offerings lack peer-reviewed evidence or are pending regulatory approval, you’re likely out of luck.
This includes anything related to:
- Gene editing
- Stem cell therapy
- Experimental or non-FDA-approved treatments
You won’t be able to bid on those keywords, include them on landing pages, or use them in your ads.
In these cases, you’ll need to consider other platforms, like Facebook Ads, though even there, you’ll need a carefully structured and compliant strategy.
You also have SEO as an option: ranking organically for these keywords, especially in your local market.
In some cases, this can even offer a better return on investment than paid ads.
Get Your Ads Approved and Running with Sagapixel
If you’re tired of vague disapprovals and policy roadblocks with Google Ads, Sagapixel can help. We work with healthcare and wellness businesses every day to get their ads approved and drive qualified leads.
Schedule a call with us today. Let’s get your campaigns running again.
