Google Ads Bans Pill Press and Tableting Machine Advertising

In September 2025, Google added pill presses and tableting machines to its globally prohibited products list. This affects legitimate supplement manufacturers, pharmaceutical equipment suppliers, and anyone selling tablet-making equipment.

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Global Ban: Pill presses, tableting machines, capsule filling equipment, and related manufacturing devices are now prohibited on Google Ads worldwide—no exceptions, no certifications available.

What's Now Prohibited

Google's updated Dangerous Products or Services policy now explicitly bans advertising for pill presses, tableting machines, capsule filling equipment, and related manufacturing devices.

The ban is global with no exceptions. Unlike some policies that allow certification or regional variations, this prohibition applies everywhere Google Ads operates.

Why Google Made This Change

The policy change follows increased regulatory pressure around counterfeit drug manufacturing. Pill presses are essential for legitimate pharmaceutical and supplement production, but they're also used to create counterfeit pills containing fentanyl and other dangerous substances.

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Context: Law enforcement agencies across North America and Europe have pushed for restrictions on pill press sales. Google's ban aligns with broader regulatory efforts to control access to drug manufacturing equipment.

Who's Affected

Legitimate businesses caught by this policy include:

Pharmaceutical equipment suppliers
Supplement manufacturing equipment vendors
Laboratory supply companies
Industrial machinery distributors

If you sell or manufacture tableting equipment for legitimate purposes, your Google Ads campaigns for these products are no longer viable.

Alternative Advertising Strategies

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Alternative Channels:

LinkedIn Ads — More nuanced B2B targeting without categorical prohibition
Trade publications — Industry-specific platforms for pharmaceutical buyers
SEO investment — Rank organically for equipment searches
Direct sales — Industry trade shows and direct outreach

When paid channels close, organic search becomes more important. If you can't advertise pill presses, you need to rank organically for buyers searching for this equipment.

Compliance Considerations

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Account Risk: Review your product catalog for anything that might trigger this policy. Even if you don't primarily sell pill presses, having them in your product feed could flag your entire account. One prohibited product can affect all your advertising.

If you're a general industrial equipment supplier, consider whether the risk of account suspension is worth keeping tableting equipment in your Google Shopping feed.

The Broader Pattern

This ban fits Google's pattern of restricting access to products with dual legitimate and illicit uses. Similar restrictions apply to certain chemicals, lock-picking tools, and other items that have both legal and illegal applications.

When evaluating new products to add to your catalog, consider whether they fall into categories where Google might implement future restrictions. Products associated with drug manufacturing, weapons, or surveillance tend to face increasing platform restrictions over time.