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Information integrity and misleading content

Note

To ensure consistency worldwide, Microsoft Advertising enforces our policies across our ad network using the English version. We provide translated versions as a courtesy to our clients, though the translations are not meant to change the content or meaning of the official policy language.

Important

This policy applies to all ad types.

Note

This page was last updated on April 8, 2026.

With the goal of providing a safe online environment for our users and partners, Microsoft prohibits misleading, deceptive content; harmful content; content that otherwise threatens public or personal safety, physical, mental, or financial health, or content whose primary purpose is to create controversy. Examples include, without limitations:

  • Unsubstantiated claims
  • Fraudulent free offers or pricing claims
  • Sensationalized text or images
  • Content that isn't related to the product/service being promoted
  • Misrepresentations
  • Unauthorized promotion of third-party products and services
  • Information influence operations
  • Foreign interference
  • False or misleading content that may cause public harm, or other similar behaviors("disinformation").

Information Integrity

Following its commitment to user safety, Microsoft Advertising has developed policies and enforcement processes to protect against potential harm caused by misleading or false information while upholding the fundamental right to freedoms of expression and information. Microsoft will not willfully profit from disinformation nor fund disinformation actors. This includes, without limitations, prohibiting:

  • Ads or sites that contain or lead to disinformation, or that may otherwise be untruthful or deceptive in any way. This includes ads, sites or ad landing pages using deepfake technology.
  • Ads that lead to landing pages containing disinformation, or other false, untruthful, or deceptive content.

We may use a combination of internal signals and trusted third-party data or information sources to reject, block, or take down ads or sites that contain disinformation or send traffic to pages containing disinformation.

We may block at the domain-level landing pages or sites that violate this policy.

Unsubstantiated Claims and Endorsements

Advertising must not have unproven claims or endorsements.

  • If an ad makes a claim (e.g., “123 Eye Cream Brand reduces wrinkles by 60% in two weeks”), it must provide substantiation of the claim either in the ad or at the ad destination. Advertisers may be asked to provide third-party substantiation to support certain claims.

    • Examples of substantiation include links on ad destination to a clinical/scientific study or customer survey that supports the claim.

  • Ads for products and services must not imply an endorsement from a media brand or celebrity without the brand or celebrity's knowledge or authorization. Advertisers must provide proof of partnership or authorization if requested.

Misleading Ads

Microsoft users expect a trustworthy, high-quality environment. We require that ads and their destinations provide clear, truthful information to our users. Misleading ad images, texts, destinations—whether separately or a combination—are prohibited. All messaging, content, and images must adhere to FTC Requirements and Guidelines (or market equivalent) for truth in advertising.

  • Gimmicky, sensational, attention-grabbing tactics used solely to increase click-through is prohibited. These clickbait tactics include, but are not limited to:

    • Use of strong negative emotion to create fake urgency or to cause shock or alarm.

    • Images, wording or phrases included solely to generate user's attention and increase click through.

      • Examples include, “use this 1 weird tip”, “1 way…”. “kill stomach fat”, “don't buy car insurance”, “your auto insurer hates this”, “use this breakthrough…”, etc.

    • Ad images that are irrelevant or misleading for the product or service offered at the ad destination just to draw a user's attention.

    • Exploitation of personal situations or conditions, like arrests, bankruptcies, death, accidents.

      • For example: “The last photo of [person that died].”

    • Implying the reveal of secret or privileged information.

      • For example: “Your credit score is…” or “reveals the truth.”

  • Messaging/content that isn't related to the topics on the landing page site is prohibited. For example, ad images or text about a celebrity relationship shouldn't direct users to a destination focused on financial content.

  • Ads must not use false or misleading information about geographical origin, or nature or quality of a product or service that gives the impression of a connection if one doesn't exist.

  • Ads and their destinations must not contain fake reviews and/or ratings, or testimonials, or faux press releases.

  • Ads cannot omit information that is required by regulation or law to provide to a consumer. This would be considered a misleading omission.

  • Advertisers must not use manipulated imagery that results in ad information being untrue, unrealistic, or unattainable.

  • Prices and payment terms must be clear and accurate. Subscription services must be clearly disclosed prominently where a user can see the information. For example: Ads and landing pages may not claim a price of $9.99 when the true price is $9.99 per month.

  • Ads and landing pages must not charge money for products or services that are widely available elsewhere for free or otherwise exploit users' unfamiliarity with standard costs. For example:

    • Advertisers may not charge for downloading a product when the same software is offered for free by the owner.

What Happens When an Ad Policy is Violated

The penalty varies by the nature of the violation, and the number of violations. Learn More

Note

Go back to Disallowed Content

Additional resources

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