Campaign rejected due to GSB? Here’s what it means and how to resolve it

If you receive a notification that your campaign has been declined due to GSB, you need to take immediate action. Campaigns using such domains are automatically declined.

At HilltopAds, campaigns may be rejected if they promote prohibited content or include a domain flagged by GSB at any point in the redirect chain. This strict security requirement protects users, advertisers, and platform integrity.

What is Google Safe Browsing (GSB)?

Google Safe Browsing is a security system developed by Google to protect users from unsafe websites. It continuously scans websites to identify harmful or deceptive content, including:

Phishing pages (fake login or payment forms)
Malware and malicious scripts
Deceptive or manipulative content
Unwanted software downloads

When Google Safe Browsing flags a domain, users may receive a browser warning before accessing the site. In many cases, access is blocked or strongly discouraged.

Why campaigns with GSB-flagged domains are not allowed

1 – User Safety

Our top priority is to protect users. Allowing traffic to unsafe websites can expose users to fraud, malware, or data theft.

2 – Platform Reputation

Campaigns directing users to flagged domains can harm the reputation of the entire platform. This affects the following:

Trust from partners and publishers
Quality of traffic inventory
Long-term sustainability of the ecosystem

Even a few unsafe campaigns can create significant risks.

3 – Compliance with Industry Standards

GSB is widely adopted across browsers and platforms. Blocking flagged domains helps ensure compliance with the following:

Google policies
Browser security standards
Data protection regulations

Our moderation team thoroughly reviews all campaigns and redirect paths.
If a domain flagged by GSB is found in your redirect chain, including the final URL or any intermediate redirects, your campaign will be declined immediately.

Repeated submissions containing GSB-flagged domains may lead to account suspension or permanent ban.

This policy is in place to protect users, maintain traffic quality, and ensure a safe advertising environment for all participants.

What to do if your domain is flagged by Google Safe Browsing (GSB)

If Google Safe Browsing flags your domain or any URLs in your redirect path, your campaign will be rejected until the issue is resolved. To restore your domain and resume advertising, follow these steps.

1. Check Google Notifications

Log in to Google Search Console and review the Security Issues section. Google will specify the type of threat detected, such as malware, social engineering, code Injection, content injection, phishing, etc., and may list affected URLs.

If you do not have access to Search Console, use Google’s public tools, such as the Safe Browsing status checker. Note that these may provide limited details.

2. Identify the Problem

Run a comprehensive scan of your website with trusted security tools.
Check:

Website files for suspicious changes
Server logs for unusual activity
Outdated CMS, plugins, or scripts

A single compromised page or hidden script can trigger a GSB flag.

3. Remove Malicious Content

Thoroughly clean your website:

Delete or replace infected files
Remove any malicious scripts, redirects, or iframes
Update your CMS, themes, and plugins

Important: Fix all affected pages. Partial fixes will not remove the warning.

4. Secure Your Access

After cleaning your site:

Change all passwords (hosting, CMS, FTP, database, admin panels)
Revoke unknown or suspicious access
Regenerate API keys if needed

These steps help prevent reinfection.

5. Request a Review from Google

After resolving all issues:

Go to Google Search Console → Security Issues
Click Request Review
Clearly describe: what caused the issue, what actions you took, and why your site is now safe

The review process may take several days or longer, depending on the issue.

Do not submit multiple requests before receiving a decision. Doing so may delay the process.

6. Monitor Your Domain

Continue to monitor your website regularly:

Check Search Console for new alerts
Scan for vulnerabilities
Keep all systems updated

Important Notes for HilltopAds Users

Campaigns with GSB-flagged domains, including any URL in the redirect chain, are declined immediately.
Repeated submissions of flagged domains may result in account suspension.
Resubmit your campaign only after the GSB warning is fully removed.

A GSB flag signals a serious security issue that impacts user safety and platform trust. By thoroughly cleaning your site, securing access, and passing Google’s review, you can restore your domain and resume campaigns without interruption.