Business identifiers
Company registration and business ID applications require certification. We prepare your account and pages.
If your business helps clients obtain or renew company registration numbers, serial numbers, or tax identifiers, you have likely discovered that Google Ads treats this category as restricted. Campaigns get disapproved, accounts get flagged, and the ads you spent time building simply won't serve. This is because business identifiers fall under Google's Government Documents and Services (GODOS) policy.
Under the GODOS policy, only certified governments and authorized providers may run ads that promote the direct acquisition of restricted government documents and services. Everyone else, including legitimate formation agents, accountants, and business filing services, must apply for Google certification and complete Google's advertiser verification program before their ads can run. Google also automatically adds a "Not a government website" disclosure to Search ads in this category unless you are a certified government provider.
The good news is that being certified to advertise turns a blocked category into a genuine opportunity. Once your business is properly verified and compliant, you can reach the many entrepreneurs and companies searching for help with EINs, company registration numbers, and identifier renewals, without the constant threat of disapproval or suspension.
What’s restricted
- Company registration / serial number
- Renewing a business identification number
Why Google restricts business identifiers ads
Business identifiers such as an EIN, CRN, CIF, or ABN are issued directly by government agencies, usually for free or a nominal official fee. Google restricts advertising in this category because the space attracts bad actors who set up lookalike websites, charge inflated fees for services that are otherwise free, or mislead users into believing they are dealing with an official government body. Restricting the category protects users from fraud and confusion.
By requiring GODOS certification and advertiser verification, Google can confirm who is behind the ads and ensure that non-government providers are clearly distinguished from official sources. The mandatory "Not a government website" disclosure reinforces this transparency, so users always understand whether they are interacting with a government agency or a third-party service provider.
Who needs GODOS certification
- Company formation and incorporation agents that register businesses and obtain company registration numbers on behalf of clients
- Accountants, bookkeepers, and tax advisors who help clients apply for or renew tax identifiers such as an EIN (US), CIF (Spain), or ABN (Australia)
- Business filing and compliance services that assist with CRN or HMRC-related registrations in the UK
- Online platforms and software providers that facilitate business registration or identifier renewal as part of their service
- Consultants and agencies managing Google Ads campaigns on behalf of any of the above business types
How to get certified: step by step
- 1
Confirm your category and eligibility
Verify that the services you advertise fall under business identifiers, such as company registration numbers, serial numbers, or tax identifier applications and renewals. Confirm whether you are a government entity, an authorized provider, or a third-party service, as this determines the certification path and disclosures that apply to you.
- 2
Prepare compliant landing pages and messaging
Ensure your website clearly states that you are a private, non-government provider, discloses any service fees separately from official government fees, and never implies government affiliation. Include accurate business details, contact information, and transparent descriptions of what your service does and does not include.
- 3
Complete Google's advertiser verification
Google requires advertisers in restricted categories to complete its advertiser verification program, which confirms your business identity and, where relevant, your legal name and location. Gather your incorporation documents, identifiers, and supporting paperwork before you begin.
- 4
Submit your GODOS certification application
Apply for Google certification for the business identifiers category through the appropriate application. Provide accurate information about your business model, the identifiers you help with, and the regions you serve, such as the US, UK, Spain, or Australia.
- 5
Align account settings and ad content
Make sure your ad copy, keywords, and destination URLs all match your certified status and comply with the policy. Expect the automatic "Not a government website" disclosure on your Search ads if you are a non-government provider.
- 6
Monitor, respond, and maintain compliance
After approval, keep your landing pages and disclosures current, watch for policy warnings, and address any issues promptly. Google typically issues warnings at least 7 days before suspending an account, so timely action protects your ability to keep advertising.
Common mistakes that get ads disapproved
- Using language or design that implies the business is an official government agency or is endorsed by one
- Failing to clearly separate and disclose service fees from the official government fees for obtaining an identifier
- Running ads before completing both GODOS certification and Google's advertiser verification program
- Mixing certified and non-certified services under one account, causing category-wide disapprovals
- Assuming rules are identical across regions, when EIN, CRN, CIF, and ABN services each have distinct expectations
- Ignoring policy warnings, which can lead to account suspension after the notice period elapses
How we help
We help businesses worldwide navigate the GODOS certification process for the business identifiers category from start to finish. That includes reviewing your website and ad content against Google's requirements, preparing the documentation needed for advertiser verification, and structuring your application so it accurately reflects your service, whether you assist with company registration numbers, serial numbers, or renewals of identifiers like the EIN, CRN, CIF, or ABN.
We are an independent consultancy and are not affiliated with Google, and no one can guarantee approval because every decision rests with Google. What we do is remove guesswork: we identify the compliance gaps that commonly cause rejections, guide you through the disclosures and messaging that keep you within policy, and support you if warnings arise so you can respond before any suspension takes effect.
Region-specific examples
Related services
Google Ads Policy Audit
A full review of your account, ads, and landing pages against the GODOS policy, with a prioritized fix list.
Ad Copy Compliance
We rewrite ad copy and extensions to meet policy requirements without losing performance.
Landing Page Optimization
Compliant, high-converting landing pages with the correct disclaimers and disclosures.
Google & Government Verification
Guidance through Google certification and the advertiser verification program, step by step.
Frequently asked questions
Why were my Google Ads for company registration services disapproved? +
Business identifiers fall under Google's GODOS policy, which restricts ads promoting the direct acquisition of government documents and services. Until you complete GODOS certification and Google's advertiser verification program, ads promoting company registration numbers or identifier renewals will typically be disapproved.
Can a private formation agent or accountant advertise these services at all? +
Yes. Non-government providers can be certified to advertise once they complete Google's certification and verification steps and keep their ads compliant. You will not be treated as a government entity, and Google will add a "Not a government website" disclosure to your Search ads to keep the distinction clear for users.
Does the certification cover EIN, CRN, CIF, and ABN services in different countries? +
The business identifiers category spans these regional examples, but requirements and disclosures can differ by country. You should apply for the regions you operate in and ensure your landing pages and messaging are accurate for each identifier type, such as the EIN in the US, CRN or HMRC processes in the UK, CIF in Spain, and ABN in Australia.
What is the "Not a government website" disclosure and can I remove it? +
It is a label Google automatically adds to Search ads in this category for advertisers who are not certified government providers. If you are a private service, you cannot remove it, and you should not try to obscure it. It exists to help users understand they are dealing with a third-party provider rather than an official agency.
What happens if I keep running non-compliant ads? +
Google generally issues a warning at least 7 days before suspending an account for GODOS policy violations. Acting quickly on warnings, correcting your ads and landing pages, and completing certification are the best ways to avoid suspension and keep advertising.
Can you guarantee my GODOS certification will be approved? +
No. We are an independent consultancy and are not affiliated with Google, so all decisions rest with Google. What we can do is prepare your application and website to meet policy requirements, address common causes of rejection, and support you throughout the process to give your application the strongest possible foundation.