2025
ASA v Self Made Girl Boss
The ad'GBP20-30k a month', 'free... course'
OutcomeUpheld
LessonDisclaimers must be prominent and must not contradict the headline
Everyday consumer · Ad policy
Education and online courses ad policy on Meta and Google
Education and online courses ads are prohibited on Meta and rules apply on Google. Prohibited Commercial Practices - Get Rich Quick / Jobs: Bans 'Offers of opportunities of unrealistic financial reward for unclear or minimal effort', 'Offers of guaranteed jobs', jobs with advance promises of salary, and jobs that demand an advance fee. (prohibited). The phrases most likely to cause trouble include "guaranteed job", "100% placement", "earn GBP20-30k a month".
MetaProhibited
GoogleRules apply
Last checked5 October 2026
Meta rules Prohibited
Prohibited
- Prohibited Commercial Practices - Get Rich Quick / Jobs: Bans 'Offers of opportunities of unrealistic financial reward for unclear or minimal effort', 'Offers of guaranteed jobs', jobs with advance promises of salary, and jobs that demand an advance fee. (prohibited)
Sources: transparency.meta.com
Google rules Rules apply
Disapproval
- Unreliable claims - money-making: No 'unrealistic promises of large financial return with minimal risk, effort or investment', no 'Get rich quick' schemes. Guarantees need an accessible refund policy. (disapproval)
- Misrepresentation: No implying support by brands or government, no offering services without the right qualifications. (egregious for false affiliation)
Sources: support.google.com · support.google.com
Flagged words and phrases for education and online courses ads
15 phrases that often lead to rejection, limited delivery or regulator action. High means the phrase or claim is named in a policy or ruling. Medium means it's our reading of a rule.
| Phrase | Why it's risky | Rule or source | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| guaranteed job / job guarantee | Meta bans guaranteed jobs, India coaching rules | transparency.meta.com | High |
| 100% placement / 100% selection | India CCPA coaching guidelines | business-standard.com | High |
| earn GBP20-30k a month | Atypical earnings, disclaimer placed too low | asa.org.uk | High |
| thousands per month in passive income | FTC Operation AI Comply | akingump.com | High |
| guaranteed income / risk-free | FBA Machine case, Google unreliable claims | akingump.com | High |
| you will make a profit | FTC Notice of Penalty Offenses | search.ftc.gov | High |
| no experience needed (to earn) | FTC Notice of Penalty Offenses | search.ftc.gov | High |
| act now / enrolment closes tonight (false) | FTC NPO: 'must act immediately' | search.ftc.gov | High |
| become the first millionaire in your family | Exploits inexperience | asa.org.uk | High |
| start with $20 | Implies easy returns | asa.org.uk | High |
| results not typical (small or late) | Disclaimer contradicts the headline | asa.org.uk | High |
| free course (paid) | Misleading 'free' | asa.org.uk | High |
| partnered with Microsoft/AT&T (false) | University of Phoenix | ftc.gov | High |
| AI-powered income / done-for-you store | FTC Operation AI Comply | akingump.com | High |
| topper photo (no written consent) | India coaching rules | business-standard.com | High |
Risky creative patterns
- Wealth lifestyle imagery (cars, cash) with a course CTA
- Simulated account balances shown as if real
- Testimonials with specific incomes and no typicality data
- Lead-gen ads posing as job or benefits help
- Countdown enrolment timers
Safer rewrites
Before and after examples. Swap the bracketed parts for your real details.
Before
Guaranteed job after 12 weeks
After
Includes career coaching. [X]% of [year] completers reported a role in the field within 6 months (survey, n=[N]).
Before
Make GBP10k/month from home
After
Learn digital marketing skills. Earnings depend on effort and the market, most students earn nothing from the course.
Before
Turn $20 into $1,000
After
Learn investing basics. Capital at risk, you may lose money.
Before
Official Microsoft partner course
After
Covers Microsoft Azure fundamentals (not affiliated with Microsoft)
Before
Free course!
After
Free intro guide. Full course GBP390.
Policy and enforcement history
FTC: University of Phoenix pays US$191m (job-partnership ads)
FTC: Career Education Corp pays US$30m (lead generators)
FTC Notice of Penalty Offenses on earnings claims
FTC Operation AI Comply (Ascend Ecom, FBA Machine, etc.)
India CCPA coaching ad guidelines
ASA Prosperi Academy ruling
ASA Self Made Girl Boss ruling
Case studies
2025
ASA v Zimran (Prosperi Academy)
The ad'START WITH $20', millionaire framing
OutcomeUpheld on 3 issues
LessonShow the risk, do not present simulated gains as real
2024
FTC v Ascend Ecom / FBA Machine / Ecommerce Empire Builders
The adAI passive income, guaranteed income
OutcomeFederal lawsuits
LessonAI framing draws more scrutiny
2020
FTC v Career Education Corp
The adLead generators posing as military or job help
OutcomeUS$30m
LessonThe advertiser is liable for its affiliates' claims
2019
FTC v University of Phoenix
The adPartnerships with Microsoft, Twitter, Adobe and AT&T creating jobs
OutcomeUS$191m
LessonNo implied employer partnerships
Rules by country
EU
UCPD general misleading-practice rules (not separately verified here).
UAE
Media Law standards incl. Standard 13 (false content), Advertiser Permit required for creators.
India
CCPA coaching guidelines 13 Nov 2024, ASCI influencer disclosures.
Check a education and online courses ad
Platform
Runs in your browser. Nothing you paste is sent or stored.
Your report appears here.Each flag shows the phrase, the rule behind it, a source and a real case where a similar ad got in trouble.
This tool is a pre-launch screen, not legal advice. Meta and Google do not publish banned-word lists, so each flag is a risk signal tied to a published rule, regulator ruling or court case. Policies change often. Data last checked 5 October 2026.