How to Report Malicious Ads on Google and Bing

Reporting a malicious ad alerts Google or Microsoft that an advertisement may lead to a scam, malware, impersonation, or other harmful content. You can report it from the search results or the ad’s reporting link; first, save enough details to identify it, but do not click the ad or enter information on its landing page.

What You’ll Need

• The ad’s platform, advertiser name, wording, and the search or page where you saw it.
• A screenshot, if you can take one without opening the ad. Include the ad and its visible URL or advertiser details where possible.
• The destination web address, only if it is already visible or you can copy it safely without visiting the site.
• A short description of the concern, such as a fake login page, deceptive offer, impersonation, or a download that appears unsafe.

Step-by-Step

1. Do not interact with the ad. Avoid clicking it, downloading files, calling a phone number in it, or submitting passwords, payment details, or personal information. If you opened the destination already, close the tab. Do not revisit it just to gather evidence.
2. Record identifying details. Note whether you saw the ad on Google Search, another Google service, Bing, or another Microsoft property. Write down the advertiser name, headline, displayed URL, approximate time, and the search phrase or page. Take a screenshot if practical. Do not include passwords, authentication codes, or unrelated private information in a report.
3. Report an ad on Google Search. On the search results page, find the ad and open its ad-options menu, commonly shown as a three-dot icon or an “About this ad” link. Choose the option to report the ad, then select the closest reason and submit the form. Labels and available choices can vary by device, location, and Google interface. If Google asks for more information, describe what makes the ad suspicious and provide the requested details.
4. Use Google’s reporting form if the menu is unavailable. Search Google Help for the official “Report an ad” or “Report an inappropriate ad” form, and open a result on a Google-owned support domain. Follow the form’s prompts. Include the ad’s visible details and explain the suspected harm rather than only saying that it looks suspicious. Do not use a form linked from the suspicious ad itself.
5. Report an ad on Bing. In Bing search results, open the ad’s options or feedback control, if one is shown, and choose the reporting or feedback option. Select the closest category and submit the report. If the ad has no report control, use Microsoft’s official support pages: search for “Microsoft Advertising report an ad” and choose a Microsoft-owned help page or reporting form. Interface wording and availability may differ across products and regions.
6. Give a specific, factual explanation. Describe observable issues: for example, the ad claims to be a bank but links to a different domain, promises a prize in exchange for credentials, or advertises a download that redirects unexpectedly. Include the destination URL only when safely available. Avoid guesses about who placed the ad or claims you cannot support.
7. Submit one clear report and save any confirmation. Keep a note of the date, platform, and confirmation number or email if provided. A report is a request for review, not a guarantee that the ad will be removed or that you will receive a personal response. Do not repeatedly submit identical reports.
8. Take separate steps if you were exposed. If you entered a password, change it using the service’s genuine website or app, not a link in the ad, and review account security. If you downloaded a file, do not open it; use your device’s trusted security tools or support guidance. If payment information was submitted, contact the relevant financial provider through its official channel. These actions address your exposure; they do not replace reporting the ad.

Common Mistakes

• Clicking the ad to check whether it is malicious. You do not need to visit the destination to report suspicious claims or a deceptive-looking advertiser. If a URL is not visible, report what you can observe.
• Reporting the search result instead of the advertisement. Use the ad’s own options or the advertising platform’s reporting form. A general search feedback link may not reach the team that reviews ads.
• Providing too little detail. “Scam” alone may not explain the problem. Include the exact claim, advertiser, visible domain, and why they appear misleading.
• Assuming the displayed URL proves where a click goes. Ads can use redirects. Do not test a link to investigate; report the visible information and describe any redirect only if you observed it safely.
• Expecting immediate removal or a detailed reply. Platforms review reports under their own processes. Keep your own records and use appropriate account or device recovery steps if you interacted with the ad.

Tips

• Report the ad on the platform where you actually saw it; the same advertiser may run separate campaigns on different services.
• Capture the whole ad, including its label, advertiser, text, and surrounding results, while avoiding personal data on screen.
• Use official help pages reached independently. A message claiming to help you report an ad could itself be a phishing attempt.
• Choose the most accurate report category. A misleading claim, impersonation, malware, and inappropriate content may be handled differently.
• Be concise and neutral. State what happened, when and where you saw it, and what evidence you have.

Troubleshooting

There is no report button: Ad controls vary by product and device. Try the ad-options menu, “About this ad,” or the platform’s official advertising help center. You can also try a desktop browser if the mobile interface hides controls.

The form will not load or submit: Check that you are on an official Google or Microsoft domain, try another browser or device, and disable any extension that blocks the form only if you trust the device and connection. Do not send sensitive details through an unofficial contact form.

You cannot identify the advertiser or destination: Submit the report with the platform, screenshot, visible ad text, and when you saw it. Do not click through to fill gaps. If the ad disappears, your saved screenshot may still help.

You reported it but still see it: Review may take time, and different versions or campaigns may be separate ads. If you have new evidence, make a new, factual report rather than repeatedly resubmitting the same one. Continue to avoid the ad.

You already clicked or entered information: Close the page and use the genuine service’s website or app to secure affected accounts. Change reused passwords, enable available sign-in protections, and contact the relevant provider through a known official channel if financial details were exposed. Do not reply to follow-up messages from the ad.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I report a malicious ad without clicking it?
Yes. Use the ad’s options menu or the platform’s official reporting form. The visible advertiser, text, and screenshot can be enough to submit a report.

Does reporting an ad remove it immediately?
No. Reporting requests a review, and the platform decides what action to take. The ad may remain visible while it is reviewed.

Can I report the same ad to Google and Microsoft?
Yes, if you encountered it on both platforms. Report it to each service where it appeared, because each platform reviews its own ads.

Should I include the suspicious website’s link?
Include it only if it is already visible or safely available without visiting the site. Never click an ad just to retrieve a destination URL.

Will I hear back after I submit a report?
Not necessarily. You may receive a confirmation, but platforms do not always provide a case update or explain their decision.

What if I entered my password on the ad’s website?
Go directly to the legitimate service and change the password immediately. Change it anywhere else you reused it, review account activity, and follow the service’s official security guidance.

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