After years of stable advertising performance, a long-time client suddenly faced a full Google Ads suspension for Circumventing Systems, one of Google’s most serious violations. You can learn more about this policy in our Policy Center.

The team was caught off guard. The suspended ads hadn’t run in years.

What looked like a random enforcement was actually the result of old, paused ads containing redirects from a previous domain. Google’s automated systems detected those legacy URLs and flagged them as deceptive behavior, shutting down the account without warning.

StubGroup quickly stepped in to uncover the issue, clean up the source, and guide the client through reinstatement.

Challenges

The main challenge was uncovering why a dormant ad had triggered one of Google’s strictest violation: Circumventing systems.

Because Google continues to crawl all URLs linked to ads (even paused ones) the old redirects looked suspicious to automated systems.

The advertiser was losing visibility and revenue every day, and needed a fast, compliant resolution that would restore account access without triggering further policy violations.

Approach

StubGroup began with a comprehensive audit of every campaign, paused ad, and sitelink in the account.

We identified multiple outdated URLs that redirected users from the client’s former domain to the new one, exactly what Google had flagged.

To resolve the issue, our team:

• Removed and replaced all outdated redirects with direct destination URLs
• Worked with the client’s web team to ensure every landing page met Google’s transparency and policy standards
• Submitted a policy-aligned appeal, supported by documentation showing that the redirects were historical remnants from a rebrand, not deceptive intent

These steps ensured full compliance with Google’s Circumventing Systems standards.

Results

Within days, Google fully reinstated the account, allowing ads to resume delivery immediately.

By taking a thorough yet efficient approach, StubGroup helped the client recover quickly while building a stronger foundation for long-term compliance.

The advertiser also implemented StubGroup’s ongoing auditing framework to prevent legacy URL issues from resurfacing in the future.

The Bottom Line

Even paused or outdated ads can trigger a suspension if they contain redirects or broken links.

StubGroup’s mix of technical analysis and policy expertise enabled this advertiser to recover fast.

And, most importantly, stay compliant moving forward.

Regular account audits are critical to prevent hidden issues from disrupting performance or damaging credibility.

Want the full breakdown from StubGroup CEO John Horn? Watch it here:

Need help fixing a Circumventing Systems suspension?

Download our Circumventing Systems guide or contact StubGroup for expert reinstatement support.