Trademarked words in in Google Adwords ads - Why do competitors get to use them?

[marketingcupcake]

Hi,

The keyword I want to use in my ad is trademarked, so they disqualified my ad. The trademark was specifically cited as the reasoning. I tried this across maybe 5 different ads. All disqualified

The thing I don't understand is that there are like 10 other advertisers who are actively using this "trademarked" word in their ads.

It's not like 1 scooted past Google, there's a ton of advertisers doing it. So how do I get past them or were they grandfathered in or something?

FYI... I tried dynamic insert to see if that could my "trademarked" word in the back door, but no luck. Any other ideas?

Thanks!

[danatanseo]

Hi! Are your ads for affiliate links? Or are you advertising as an authorized reseller of the trademarked product? There are many rules revolving around affiliate links that may or may not apply to an official retailer carrying the product. Some good examples of products/brands that are very specific in terms of how and what can be advertised where and by who are Sony and Apple.

I started out in the world of affiliate marketing so I understand the numerous limitations there, particularly on bidding on branded search terms. There is a very good reason for it and this may or may not be the case here so I just thought I'd ask.

[FedeEinhorn]

If your ads are disapproved and others (which you KNOW they are not authorized to use the trademarked names and still do, report those ads to Adwords. They will remove the ads braking TOS).

Link to report adwords violations: https://support.google.com/adwords/contact/feedback

But, if you are allowed by the trademark holder to use their names in the ads, just ask for a written authorization and send it back to Google, hopefully they will look into it.

[Branden_S]

Are you an affiliate of franchise?  Are you actually selling the TM product? If yes, you can apply for approval for the TM term. https://services.google.com/inquiry/aw_tmauth?utm_source=policyhc&utm_medium=contact_tmauth&utm_campaign=6118

If the TM owner will not let you use the term, then you cannot use it in your ad... but you might be able to bid on the keyword.  If there are other companies using the term in their text ads, they have either received approval, or their ads are very old and were approved prior to Google enforcing the TM restrictions.  You could report them, but that's you call.