The decision will see sexually explicit ads on Google AdWords being banned in the next few weeks, with pornographic websites advertising with the program also being removed. Google Play will also prohibit sexually explicit apps from its store.
According to Charisma News, Google sent the following email to targeted users informing them of the policy changes:
Dear AdWords Advertiser,
We're writing to remind you about a change to Google's advertising policies we announced in our Policy Change Log that may affect your AdWords account: https://support.google.com/adwordspolicy/answer/4271759
Beginning in the coming weeks, we'll no longer accept ads that promote graphic depictions of sexual acts including, but not limited to, hardcore pornography; graphic sexual acts including sex acts such as masturbation; genital, anal, and oral sexual activity.
When we make this change, Google will disapprove all ads and sites that are identified as being in violation of our revised policy. Our system identified your account as potentially affected by this policy change. We ask that you make any necessary changes to your ads and sites to comply so that your campaigns can continue to run.
Sincerely,
The Google AdWords Team
Last month faith-based non-profit organisation, Morality in Media, met with Google in an effort to sway the tech giant into action against pornographic and adult themed websites.
The pornography watchdog identified Google in their 2013 and 2014 "Dirty Dozen List" due to their profits made from the distribution of pornography in Google Play, Google Ads, and YouTube and other products.
Charisma News has called the groundbreaking decision a 'huge victory'. A petition has since been launched to thank the company.