Google AdSense Adds RAFs: Major Policy Shift for Search Partners Explained
Starting August 25, 2025, Google is launching a new set of rules for AdSense for Search Restricted Access Features (RAFs). If you’re in the business of search arbitrage, this update could directly affect how your pages perform and how much you earn.
RAFs include tools that many arbitrage publishers use today to increase clicks and revenue. These tools will no longer be available to everyone. Instead, you’ll need to be approved by Google to keep using them.
If your account doesn’t meet Google’s new criteria, you’ll still be able to run ads but with limits that reduce your control, tracking, and layout options.
What Are RAFs and Why Do They Matter?
RAFs are advanced features inside AdSense for Search that give you more control over how search ads appear and perform on your site.
Here’s why they’re important for arbitrage publishers:
- You can add your own keyword suggestions (instead of letting Google choose them)
- You can show multiple ad units on the same page, increasing earning potential
- You can customize how the ads look fonts, spacing, icons, layout
- You can track which ad positions get the most clicks
- You can create detailed reporting channels to monitor and optimize performance
Starting August 25, these features will only be available if your account is marked as “Qualified” by Google. If you’re not qualified, your ad setup will become much more basic and harder to optimize.
Who is eligible?
To be given access to RAFs, accounts must:
- Have access to AdSense for Search in the AdSense interface.
- Work with their Google AdSense account manager to confirm/request access.
What Counts as Strike and How it Affect Account RAF's Eligibility
Google is introducing a strike-based system to determine how long you can retain or lose access to RAFs.
- 5 minor policy violations = 1 strike
- 1 egregious policy violation = 1 strike
Once you receive a strike, your account goes through the following stages:
First Strike → Probation
If you get your first strike, your account moves to Probation for 90 days. You’ll still have full RAF access during this time, but your setup is under review.
As long as you don’t get another strike during the probation window, you’ll return to Qualified status. But if a second strike comes in that same period, RAF access is gone for good.
Second Strike → Restricted
A second strike (within two years) will shift your account to Restricted status for 90 days. That means you temporarily lose all RAF privileges.
If no new strike is added during those 90 days, you’ll be reinstated as Qualified. But one more violation during this time, and RAFs are permanently revoked.
Third Strike → Revoked
If you receive a third strike within two years, your account is marked as Revoked. This is permanent.
Even if the violations are later resolved or removed, your RAF access won’t be restored. Once revoked, the account can’t qualify again.
Expunging Strikes
Strikes don’t stay on your account forever unless you reach Revoked status. If your account goes two full years without receiving a new strike, all previous strikes are automatically removed, and your strike count resets to zero.
But if your account reaches Revoked status, this reset does not apply. You won’t be able to regain RAF access, even after the two-year period.
What Can Trigger a Strike?
Strikes are issued for policy violations tied specifically to RAFs. This includes:
- Acquiring traffic from misleading sources, such as fake job ads or unrealistic promises
- Displaying more ads than search results, or irrelevant/no content on the page
- Deceptive layouts, like arrows pointing at ads or “Click here” prompts
- Poor ad placement, where the Related Search unit dominates the page or encourages accidental clicks
- Misreporting ad creatives, e.g., changing the upstream message shown to users vs what’s sent to Google
Google considers some violations egregious, including:
- Unrealistic or manipulative claims (e.g., free cars, guaranteed jobs)
- Pretending to be a recruiter or business you’re not
- Pages with nothing but an ad unit
- Obscured or hidden content
- Large-scale setups that hurt advertisers or mislead users
For more details on what policy violations are in scope and how egregiousness is defined, visit Policy violations in scope for Restricted Access Features (RAFs).
Need help adapting to Google’s latest changes?
Whether you’re running search arbitrage or exploring new monetization models, MagicBid can help you stay compliant and profitable. We work with publishers to review setups, fix policy risks, and protect long-term performance.
For questions, support, or a policy safe review of your pages, email us at support@magicbid.ai
FAQ
Your RAF status will be visible in your AdSense dashboard once the update goes live on August 25. If you work with a Google account manager, they can help explain your current standing.
Only active or unresolved violations as of August 25, 2025 will count. Successfully appealed or removed violations will not be factored into your RAF status.
You’ll be limited to one Related Search unit per page, lose most styling controls, can’t track clicks, and your custom reporting channels will be replaced by generic ones.
No. Once revoked, your account permanently loses RAF access even if violations are resolved later.
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