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Nudity and suggestive 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 except Text Search Ads.

Note

This page was last updated on April 22, 2026.

Microsoft restricts nudity and skin exposure in ads to ensure ad content is appropriate for our users. With that in mind, the following ad content is prohibited.

Adult Content Policy

  • Full nudity

  • Exposed intimate body areas. For example:

    • Clothing that reveals genitalia, exposed buttocks or female nipples, or graphic, excessive female cleavage.
    • Clothing with sheer or see-through fabric that exposes genitalia, bare or thonged buttocks, or female nipples.
    • The use of pixelation or strategically placed objects covering genitals, bare buttocks, or female nipples to imply full nudity.
    • Ad images with before-and-after comparisons of cosmetic surgeries for intimate body areas.

  • Sexually suggestive poses/positioning. For example:

    • Visuals portraying individuals in positions suggestive of sexual acts, whether dressed or undressed.
    • Implied sexual gestures such as parted legs or sensual facial expressions.
    • Poses combining physical actions (like hands on hips or tugging hair) with a sexually suggestive facial expression.
    • Expressions (facial or bodily) that are indicative of sexual pleasure.

  • Ads cannot contain, or combine text, and imagery in a manner that reasonably conveys sexually suggestive or provocative messaging.

  • Scenes involving suggestive undressing, like slipping off a bra strap or lowering underwear.

  • Images with an explicit focus on intimate areas. For example:

    • Advertising focusing on the buttocks or female breasts out of context, or for the sake of titillation to get attention and incite an ad click. Please also refer to the Misleading Content Policy.
    • Apparel with representations of genitalia, buttocks or female breasts, such as painted on realistic imagery of anatomy.

  • Lifestyle images of erotic lingerie, including accessories like garter belts, or items associated with bondage.

The following, while not the Adult Content, may be suitable only for audiences that are ages 18+.

Ads such as the following must be presented in a tasteful manner with 18+ targeting:

  • Ad content featuring imagery of fine art (i.e. paintings or sculptures) that show nudity exposing intimate body areas.
  • Ads for books or movies with some level of limited nudity or suggestiveness, or books related to sexual health topics with educational intent.

Ad content featuring moderate skin exposure or contextual nudity is generally allowed but may be restricted depending on market sensitivities. Examples include:

  • A resort travel ad featuring a model in swimwear at the resort pool.
  • General, functional everyday swimwear or underwear.

Note

Best Practices:

  • What kinds of skin exposure may be acceptable in promotional content?

    Partial nudity may be considered acceptable when the ad image is contextually appropriate and not sexual in nature.

  • How to apply this policy consistently when interpretation may vary?

    A helpful guideline is to consider the image as if it were a still from a film on pause, then ask the question "Is what’s about to happen next appropriate for a family audience?” If the answer is yes, the creative likely aligns with Microsoft standards.

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 Restricted Content

Additional resources

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