Google Now Blocks Sites With Deceptive Download Buttons

Feb 5, 2016 - 7:50 am 7 by
Filed Under Google

Google Penalty 640

Google announced this week that they are blocking access to sites via big warnings for sites that contain deception download buttons and forms of deceptive embedded content, like social engineering ads.

The examples Google gave include:

  • Pretend to act, or look and feel, like a trusted entity - like your own device or browser, or the website itself.
  • Try to trick you into doing something you’d only do for a trusted entity - like sharing a password or calling tech support.

Here is the warning you would see:

click for full size

Here are examples of those ads:

click for full size click for full size

Some of the folks over at WebmasterWorld are sharing screen shots of Google AdSense ads that look to be similar to the ads above. Love it.

Forum discussion at WebmasterWorld.

 

Popular Categories

The Pulse of the search community

Search Video Recaps

 
Video Details More Videos Subscribe to Videos

Most Recent Articles

Google Search Engine Optimization

Google Search Console AI-Powered Configuration Goes Live

Feb 18, 2026 - 7:51 am
Google

Hover Pop Up Links Official In Google AI Overviews & AI Mode

Feb 18, 2026 - 7:41 am
Google Ads

Google Ads Tool Auto Enabling Paused Keywords?

Feb 18, 2026 - 7:31 am
Google Ads

Google Ads Now Shows PMax Placement Report Details

Feb 18, 2026 - 7:21 am
Google Search Engine Optimization

Google Is Losing A Knowledge Graph Source - CIA World Factbook

Feb 18, 2026 - 7:11 am
Google AdSense

Google AdSense Anchor & Vignette Ads Bug Won't Close Ads

Feb 18, 2026 - 7:05 am
 
Previous Story: Google Launches Troubleshooting Tool In News Publisher Center