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Google disapproved our weight loss ads for "Unreliable claims"

The notice
Unreliable claims
On this page

Google disapproved the ad because it presents an outcome Google considers improbable as the result a patient can expect. Unreliable claims sits under Google's Misrepresentation policy, and it names weight loss directly: "Making claims of unrealistic weight loss within a specific time frame or requiring little effort" is not allowed. For medical weight loss and GLP-1 programs the usual triggers are pounds-by-a-deadline promises, no-effort framing, and patient results shown without a disclaimer. Rewrite the claim in the ad and on the landing page, add the disclaimer Google asks for, and save. Google warns at least 7 days before any suspension, so there is time to fix the whole account.

Curve Compliance helps you measure the rewritten campaigns properly. Curve replaces browser pixels with HIPAA-compliant, server-side conversion tracking to Google Ads, Meta Conversions API, TikTok, Microsoft and LinkedIn, so your campaigns keep optimizing on booked consultations, and it keeps attribution through booking tools such as IntakeQ, Calendly and Jane. Curve's team does the setup for you, typically live in about a week, with a BAA signed on every plan. Book a call with Curve.

What Google counts as an unreliable claim

Google's definition: "Making inaccurate claims or claims that entice the user with an improbable result (even if this result is possible) as the likely outcome a user can expect is not allowed." The words "even if this result is possible" matter. A result some patients really achieved can still break the policy if the ad presents it as typical.

Under "Claims related to health and weight loss", Google lists:

  • "Making unproven claims of cures for incurable medical ailments", with examples such as "Miracle cures" for arthritis, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease or cancer, and products that claim to be a "cure-all" for several diseases.
  • "Making claims of unrealistic weight loss within a specific time frame or requiring little effort". Google's specific example is "A weight loss ad that says you can eat whatever you want and lose 10 pounds in a month".
  • "Content that promotes harmful health claims, or that relates to a current, major health crisis and contradicts authoritative scientific consensus".

Weight loss copy that triggers it

Google's Misrepresentation policy covers "Ads or destinations", so check the landing page as carefully as the ad. The patterns that show up most in clinic accounts:

  • A number and a deadline together, such as a set amount of weight in a set number of weeks.
  • Effortless framing: no diet, no exercise, eat what you want.
  • Patient stories with a specific result and no disclaimer.
  • Cure language for chronic conditions, such as reversing diabetes.
  • Scare copy about illness to push an immediate booking. Google's Clickbait ads rule, in the same Misrepresentation policy, disallows ads that use negative life events such as illness "to pressure the viewer to take immediate action".

Testimonials need a visible disclaimer

Google is specific here: "Testimonials that claim specific results must include a visible disclaimer stating that there is no guarantee of specific results and that the results can vary. Include links to third-party verification or include relevant and noticeable disclaimers when testimonials and endorsements imply that results are typical."

It also says "Google Ads may defer to local regulatory guidelines for health-related claims, including testimonial content, when enforcing this policy." For a clinic, every patient quote or story with a number in it needs a disclaimer that results vary and aren't guaranteed, placed where patients will see it. For before-and-after images across platforms, see what the ad policies say about GLP-1 before-and-after photos.

How to rewrite and resubmit

  1. List every ad and asset marked Unreliable claims on the "Ads & assets" page.
  2. Replace the promise with the process: what the program involves, who supervises it, and how patients get started. Keep time-bound numbers out of the ads.
  3. Add the disclaimer to every testimonial with a specific result, in the ad and on the landing page.
  4. Save the edit. Google says "Your ad or asset will be automatically re-reviewed, which typically takes 24-48 hours."
  5. Appeal only if the claim was accurate and Google misread it. "Each ad is limited to 3 appeals", and Google asks you to wait at least 24 hours between appeals for the same ads.

Fix it across the account and your other platforms

Unreliable claims is not an egregious policy: "Violations of this policy won't lead to immediate account suspension without prior warning. A warning will be issued at least 7 days prior to any suspension of your account." Repeat violations move through strikes, with account holds of three and then seven days, and "the third strike will result in an account suspension."

The same copy usually runs everywhere, and every major platform has its own weight loss rule. If you advertise beyond Google, check Meta's health and wellness rejections, TikTok's Weight Management and Body Image policy and Microsoft's weight loss rules while you rewrite.

Talk to Curve

Once the claims are fixed, the next question is which of the new ads actually book patients, and Curve answers it. Curve's team sets up HIPAA-compliant, server-side conversion tracking in place of pixels, with PHI-like patterns detected before data reaches an ad platform, identifiers SHA-256 hashed to each platform's requirements, and attribution kept through booking tools. It is typically live in about a week, with a BAA signed on every plan. Book a call with Curve to get your weight loss campaigns measured the right way.

How Curve helps

  • Replaces browser pixels with HIPAA-compliant, server-side conversion tracking to Google Ads, Meta Conversions API, TikTok, Microsoft and LinkedIn, so campaigns keep optimizing on booked consultations.
  • Keeps attribution through booking tools such as IntakeQ, Calendly and Jane, so you can see which rewritten ads bring in patients.
  • Detects PHI-like patterns before data reaches an ad platform, and uses neutral event names.
  • Signs a BAA on every plan.
  • Setup is done for you by Curve's team, typically live in about a week.

Frequently asked questions

Can we say how much weight patients lost in a Google ad?

Google disallows "claims of unrealistic weight loss within a specific time frame or requiring little effort", and its own example pairs an amount with a month. Keep numbers and deadlines out of the ad. If you share patient results on the landing page, add the disclaimer Google requires for testimonials.

Do testimonials need a disclaimer on Google Ads?

Yes, when they claim specific results. Google requires "a visible disclaimer stating that there is no guarantee of specific results and that the results can vary."

Can Unreliable claims get our account suspended?

Only after a warning. Google issues it at least 7 days before any suspension, and repeat violations move through three strikes, with the third leading to suspension.

Does this apply to GLP-1 programs?

Yes, whenever the ad or landing page makes a weight loss claim. Prescription GLP-1 offers also fall under Google's Healthcare and medicines rules; see what Google and Meta allow for GLP-1 advertising.

How does Curve help after an Unreliable claims disapproval?

Curve's team sets up HIPAA-compliant, server-side conversion tracking in place of pixels, keeps attribution through your booking tool so you can see which new ads book patients, and signs a BAA on every plan. Book a call with Curve.

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