Who needs LegitScript: ad platform rules for GLP-1 telehealth

Who needs LegitScript depends on the ad platform. Meta requires it from telehealth providers that promote prescription drugs, and Google requires it from US telemedicine providers. Microsoft and TikTok name LegitScript or NABP for online pharmacies and add their own approval. Outbrain, Taboola and AppLovin don’t name LegitScript at all: the network approves the advertiser.

Policy checked on October 29, 2026.

Which ad platforms require LegitScript, platform by platform

Two of the seven platforms below name LegitScript for telehealth providers, two more name it for online pharmacies, and three never mention it. Each row links to the policy page, read on October 29, 2026.

LegitScript’s onboarding page lists the platforms that recognize its Healthcare Certification: Google, Meta, Microsoft Bing, LinkedIn, TikTok and Netflix. Outbrain, Taboola and AppLovin are not on that list.

Three groups: who decides whether a GLP-1 brand can advertise

The seven platforms fall into three groups by what decides a GLP-1 telehealth brand’s access.

Outbrain, Taboola and AppLovin still set rules. Taboola asks for prior permission, AppLovin decides at its own discretion, and Outbrain describes verification by its own team for some restricted categories, so the network’s approval takes the place of a named certificate. Demand for the certificate itself keeps rising: LegitScript said on September 22, 2026 that telemedicine applications rose 101% in a year and that it had passed 10,000 certified websites, as reported by ppc.land on September 25, 2026.

What each platform’s policy says, in its own words

Each quote below comes from the platform’s official policy page, checked October 29, 2026.

Meta requires LegitScript from telehealth providers

Meta’s Drugs and Pharmaceuticals policy states: “Meta requires online pharmacies and telehealth providers to be actively certified with LegitScript.” Certified advertisers must also “Obtain authorization from Meta,” “Only target people 18 years or older” and “Only target people in eligible countries (United States, Canada or New Zealand).” Ads that “Promote telehealth services generally” are on Meta’s list of ads that don’t need written authorization. The full Meta rules for GLP-1 are in our guide to Meta prescription drug ads.

Google requires LegitScript for US telemedicine

Google’s US section reads: “Google allows telemedicine providers if they’re accredited by LegitScript’s Healthcare Merchant Certification Program.” For online pharmacies, Google accepts LegitScript or NABP. Both need a second step: “Advertisers must also be certified with Google.” The order and the form choices are in Google Ads telemedicine certification.

Microsoft Advertising names LegitScript or NABP for US pharmacies

Microsoft’s Pharmacy and Healthcare policy, last updated October 5, 2026, says: “Online pharmacies, telemedicine providers that sell prescription drugs, and prescription drug manufacturers must be preapproved in order to serve ads on the Microsoft Advertising network.” The US section adds that online pharmacies advertising prescription drugs “must be accredited by the National Association Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) or LegitScript.” For telemedicine, the US text names no certifier; the route is Microsoft’s “Pharmacy and Telemedicine advertiser program form.” Microsoft’s change log dates the global Pre-Approval Process to January 2026. The same policy states: “All compounded weight loss drugs must be labeled in accordance with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requirement, including ‘This is a compounded drug’ or equivalent disclaimer.”

TikTok asks for regulator proof on prescription ads

TikTok’s US section says prescription medicine “May be allowed” if advertisers “Provide proof of approval and certification from appropriate local regional regulating authorities,” naming the FDA, and “Restrict the ads to audiences aged 18 years or older.” US online pharmacies must “Provide proof of certification by a third-party licensing organization,” with NABP and LegitScript given as examples. The US section has no telehealth line.

Outbrain doesn’t mention LegitScript

Outbrain’s Advertising Guidelines contain no LegitScript, NABP or telehealth text. Under controlled substances they state: “Ads must not promote the sale or use of illegal, prescription, or recreational drugs.” For other restricted categories, such as tobacco and CFDs, the page describes promotion “by managed accounts only, and upon verification by our team.” Access for health advertisers is set by Outbrain’s own review.

Taboola asks for prior permission and names NABP

Taboola’s restricted content page (updated April 27, 2025) says online pharmacy campaigns must “Have prior permission from Taboola,” and gives the example that “Online pharmacies advertising in the United States must be verified by the National Association of Board of Pharmacies.” Its general healthcare rules also exclude the “Direct sale of prescription drugs.” It doesn’t mention LegitScript or telehealth. Weight loss is “restricted on the network,” with rules on titles and landing pages.

AppLovin leaves it to its own discretion and local law

AppLovin’s Policies for Demand Partners list “Health, wellness, and pharmaceutical products and services, including prescription drugs” as restricted content. Such ads may run “in AppLovin’s sole discretion” if they follow local laws, “including any age-related restrictions, licensing/certification requirements.” LegitScript is not named.

Allowed vs not allowed for a GLP-1 telehealth brand, across platforms

GLP-1 telehealth ad rules differ by platform on five concrete decisions, all taken from the policy pages above and checked October 29, 2026. “Not stated” means the page says nothing on it.

Outbrain’s and AppLovin’s public pages don’t address these rows; their own review does.

Do payment processors require LegitScript?

Some payment processors require LegitScript, according to LegitScript itself. Its telemedicine page says certification is “required by many major credit cards and internet platforms,” and its onboarding page has a section for “Payment Processors (Visa/Mastercard, etc.)” that applies “If certification is required by your payment processor.” Neither page names a card rule, so check your processor’s terms.

What this means for your GLP-1 campaigns

On Meta, Google, Microsoft and TikTok, certification is the brand’s own step and comes first: LegitScript reviews your business and your domains. A practical order:

1. Certify every domain you’ll advertise with LegitScript. Fees and timing are in our LegitScript certification hub.
2. Request each platform’s own approval: Meta authorization, Google healthcare certification, Microsoft’s Pharmacy and Telemedicine form, TikTok’s documentation.
3. If you promote a partner pharmacy, check whether it holds LegitScript or NABP. Our LegitScript vs NABP comparison explains the difference.
4. On Microsoft, add the LegitScript badge to your site; Microsoft says to then “request an appeal for any existing editorial disapprovals within your account.”
5. For Outbrain, Taboola and AppLovin, expect a review of the advertiser, the claims and the landing pages, and keep weight-loss copy inside each network’s restricted-content rules.

We run GLP-1 and telehealth traffic at scale with platform approvals on every network we buy. The brand still brings its own LegitScript certification where a platform names it, plus compliant claims and landing pages. That mix of paid media channels for GLP-1 brands is what we plan with each brand on a call.

FAQ

Who needs LegitScript certification?

Telehealth providers running prescription drug ads on Meta, US telemedicine providers on Google, and online pharmacies on Google, Microsoft and TikTok, where NABP is the alternative. LegitScript says many card networks require it too.

Does Meta require LegitScript?

Yes, for online pharmacies and telehealth providers that promote prescription drugs. General telehealth ads don’t need Meta’s written authorization.

Does TikTok require LegitScript?

For US online pharmacies, TikTok accepts LegitScript or NABP. For prescription medicine ads, its US text asks for proof of approval from regulators such as the FDA, not LegitScript by name.

Does Microsoft (Bing) require LegitScript?

For US online pharmacies, yes, or NABP. Telemedicine providers that sell prescription drugs go through Microsoft’s preapproval form.