My Microsoft ads account got suspended before I even created a campaign .

I'm slowly but surely, getting some answers as to what may be happening.

If your ad links to a site with malicious code etc, the algorithm will automatically suspend the ad and your account.

This isn't as dreadful a scenario as it sounds, and it goes a little way to explain why everything is clouded in secrecy, with the persistent, vague and generic answers. The can't allow hackers, con artists, and such, to find out the methods used to thwart attacks on their systems.

Google works on the same security algorithm (or something uncannily similar) and some advertisers have the exact same issues. They released an update today which gives a little more information on the workings, and possibilities of getting innocently involved with these issues.

	On Nov 10, 2023, Shopping will update the Abuse of the free listings network: Malicious and unwanted software policy. The “Malicious and unwanted software” policy is being split into three separate policies: “Malicious software”, “Compromised sites”, and “Unwanted software”.	<br>	---
		<br>	---
	This policy will apply globally, across all accounts promoting ads and listings. We’ve determined that this policy change may affect your account.	<br>	---
		<br>	---
			•	<br>	---			Review your online store and Merchant Center account and make sure you don’t have any malicious software. Malicious software is intentional distribution of “malware” that may harm or gain unauthorized access to a computer, device, or network.	<br>	---		<br>	---	---		<br>	---	<br>			<br>	---		<br>			•	<br>	---			Remove any unwanted software from your feed. Unwanted software is an offer that fails to disclose the full implications of installing the software to the user, making system changes without the user’s consent, or bundling software or applications without the user’s knowledge.	<br>	---		<br>	---	---		<br>			<br>	---		<br>			•	<br>	---			Ensure your site is not compromised. A compromised site is when a domain is hijacked by a third-party and therefore could be dangerous for a user.	<br>	---		<br>	---	---
		<br>	---
	The policy will launch on Dec 10, 2023. Review your online store, Merchant Center account, and/or remove any offending offers. For more information, please see the announcement.	<br>	---
		<br>	---
	Sincerely,	<br>	---
	The Merchant Center team	<br>	---

If you have changed your site since google search spiders last visited your site, the remaining metatags etc from removed pages can also act as a trap-door into this mess.

I hope this helps a bit. I'm still trying to get my own suspension lifted - but at least this gives me an avenue to explore and tidy up - an avenue I never knew even existed !

This happened to me also, I really wonder if it's racially motivated. I'm going to ask around and see if this has happened to other minority business owners. I'm willing to bet they only do this to minority business owners. And when I find out...Civil Suit!!!

I have had the same issues mentioned here, twice.

First, while in the process of signing up and still filling out the forms I received an email notifying me that my account was suspended. I had not even finished filling out the forms. I had not even finished the forms yet. I did the automated appeal and was rejected. Then I requested a manual appeal and was reinstated.

Then I then worked with a consultant to setup my first campaign. This went OK for couple of days, but I realized based on key words I was paying a lot for people likely not interested. So, I went in and tweaked a couple of things, added new keywords and deleted a couple others. I also noticed some adds were 'paused'. The reason was not at all clear, but based on what the 'Help' said, I tweaked a couple of things, hoping I could fix it. And in less than 2 hrs. of the changes I was locked out again. The option for an automated appeal was no longer available, so I went through chat and got (what was supposed to be) a manual appeal, which has been rejected. The I received the following from MS (MY COMMNETS ADDED):

This is XXXXX with Microsoft Advertising. I hope you are doing wonderful today! (NO, I AM NOT DOING WONDERFULL)

I am contacting you today as a response to your email address I understand that you want to know why your account is being suspended as much as I like to provide you the reason, I am unable to bend the rules. (NOT HELPFULL, ALSO, BASED ON MY INTERACTION, I AM NO SURE YOU EVEN KNOW THE REASON)

If you have any questions or if you have any other concerns regarding your Microsoft Advertising account, feel free to contact us anytime on chat as we are available 24/7. (WHY, SO I CAN BE TOLD NO IN SOME OTHER WAY)

In addition, please check this helpful link about: What's new in Microsoft Advertising? for the latest updates about Microsoft Advertising. (WHY WOULD I DO THIS IF AM SUSPENDED)

In addition, you may **** check our extensive*Help* *page*and **** Video **** Tutorials to learn more Microsoft Advertising and explore features that can help boost your campaign performance. (WHAT CAMPAIN? YOU STOPPED IT!)

I wish you all the success with your business! (REALLY? THIS MIGHT BE THE MOST TONE DEF MESSAGE I HAVE EVER RECEIVED FROM A COMPANY).

This is so frustrating and disappointing. I am new to all this and don't really know how to configure everything. The consultant helped, but he clearly did not know everything either and had to take a couple of days to get internal help because he could not configure appropriately. I have reviewed the 'guidelines' over and over and cannot see what I might have done wrong. I have one product (an app on the windows store), my web site is literally just one page, that just shows the app. I used my own financial info which is up to date.

I can totally believe I made some type of human error that I am whole heartedly willing to fix if someone would just tell me what I did wrong. I have to pass security clearances and take 'ethical behavioral exams' for my primary work (which I always pass). To claim I did something 'egregious' is insulting. Have I made a mistake? Maybe. Am I willing to fix it? Absolutely.

I can totally see pausing adds until something is fixed, but a compete shutout is extreme. The statement that they "won't tell you for security reasons" is unreasonable and unhelpful. Oh, and M.S. still owes me unused funds.

If anyone can help, it would be great, but mostly just wanted to add another negative anecdote to the pile.

This is not the proper way nor professional way to treat a paying customer! Seriously, who the hell came up with this horrible insulting message? You took my money, didn't run my ads then suspended my account? THAT IS FRAUD - ITS THEFT And beyond that it's just a MORONIC way to do business. Bing's traffic share is a fraction of Google. What makes you think people will put up with this criminal behavior? I gave Microsoft a second chance after asking them to delete my account when I became so frustrated with the UI - and this is how you treat me to give it a try again? And this ridiculous email you sent. I don't know what you're accusing me of. "Obfuscation of advertiser or payer identity," I think not I sent a copy of my driver's license front and back and a picture of myself. The address on the DL matched the information on the account. "Use of the service to facilitate illegal practices or content.

• This includes promoting illegal products or services.
• Malicious software codes (e.g., malware, phishing, scareware, ransomware, pirated software)." No we provide Broadcast engineering and consulting services for radio and television stations nationwide. (Woops - big screw up Microsoft) We've been in business since 1985.
  "Any landing page or downloadable content which removes user control." We have nothing to download on our website!
  "- Ad content which obfuscates the intention or functionality of any downloaded product or provided service." again no downloads on the website.
  "Any content or action designed to facilitate gaining unauthorized access to any user, advertiser, or data, or manipulate the Microsoft Advertising service." The ads were created in Google ads - they were approved and then imported into Microsoft Ads. So again this doesnt apply to me in any way shapre or form. "Deceptive or obfuscated content, cloaking, or spoofing." I have no clue what that even means,. " Impersonation, manipulation or deceptive media, or deceptive use of name or brand to imply endorsement." Who am I impersonating? Myself? My companies? "Excessive collection of personal information unnecessary to fulfill ad promise." No information was collected from any users since Microsoft never even displayed the ad!!!! This is total nonsense. ALL OF IT! "- Emotionally manipulative or coercive content." WE ARE AN ENGINEERING FIRM - "- Attempting to circumvent our account suspension or other measures intended to enforce our policies or terms by creating a new advertiser account or Manager Account." Now perhaps you got the last one wrong. Because I requested the account be deleted because I was having nothing but problems. Nothing worked correctly. And I was offered several promo offers - paid and jumped through the hoops and didnt receive the promos! YES I WAS ANGRY. BUT I WAS NEVER SUSPENDED! I TOLD MS TO DELETE MY ACCOUNT. AND I MADE THE MISTAKE OF GIVING YOU ANOTHER CHANCE AND THEN YOU LITERALLY **** ON ME!!! "Per Microsoft Advertising Terms of Use and Policies that you agreed to when using our product and service, we have suspended all ads, and access to all Accounts for all users within your Manager Account. " oK - FINE - BUT I HAVE ALREADY FILED A DISPUTE WITH THE MERCHANT FOR THEFT OF MY FUNDS.

LONG LIVE LINUX <removed by Moderator>