The controversial "ad game": Kamala Harris' campaign on Google
Posted: Thu Dec 26, 2024 9:53 am
The controversial "ad game": Kamala Harris' campaign on GoogleWith the US Presidential Election on November 5th fast approaching, every vote counts and every click can make a difference in a candidate’s campaign : in this case, Kamala Harris’ team has found an ingenious (if controversial) way to capture voters’ attention via Google. A recent Axios discovery has revealed that the vice president’s campaign is using Google ads to create an “illusion” that many are calling misinformation.
This is how Kamala Harris' new campaign strategy works
Using headlines and news descriptions that, at first glance, look like authentic news articles from respected media outlets such as The Guardian, Reuters or CBS News ; this is Kamala Harris's new campaign strategy that has sparked controversy. However, behind these headlines are messages crafted by Harris's own campaign, which achieve a "delicate" balance between the legal and the ethically questionable.
Visually, this strategy works like this : if a user searches for information about Harris on Google, the results include (at least in the United States) a sponsored link that highlights a positive headline about the Democratic candidate's actions, accompanied by a brief text that reinforces it. When the user wants to find out more about the headline they just read , the link directs them to a real article from The Guardian (or another media outlet) that has nothing to do with the data that motivated the click.
The controversy surrounding Google's pro-Kamala Harris headlines
While the ads are clearly labeled as “sponsored,” the similarity to actual search results and the presence of well-known media names could lead users to assume the outlets are directly endorsing Harris, fueling controversy over the results Google offered when a user searched for Donald Trump. As Axios reports, spokespersons for these outlets have expressed surprise and concern at discovering their brands were being used in this way, without their knowledge or consent.
“While we understand why an organisation might want to align itself with the Guardian trustmark, we need to ensure it is used appropriately and with our permission . We will be reaching out to Google for further information on this practice,” a Guardian spokesperson said.
Google, for its part, has defended the practice, saying it does not violate its policies and that the ads are clearly marked to avoid confusion. According to the company, this type of advertising is common in the business world and both Democrats and Republicans have used it in the past. However, what might be acceptable in the world of commerce does not necessarily translate well to the sensitive terrain of politics. “We have provided additional layers of transparency specific to election ads,” a Google spokesperson explained.
Could this practice influence voting decisions?
The underlying dilemma is to what extent this tactic can influence public perception of the media and its impartiality . In an era where accusations of media bias are the order of the day, associating media outlets with political messages without permission could be a dangerous game. The newspaper industry is already struggling with distrust from some sectors of the population, and this type of advertising only adds fuel to the fire.
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This is how Kamala Harris' new campaign strategy works
Using headlines and news descriptions that, at first glance, look like authentic news articles from respected media outlets such as The Guardian, Reuters or CBS News ; this is Kamala Harris's new campaign strategy that has sparked controversy. However, behind these headlines are messages crafted by Harris's own campaign, which achieve a "delicate" balance between the legal and the ethically questionable.
Visually, this strategy works like this : if a user searches for information about Harris on Google, the results include (at least in the United States) a sponsored link that highlights a positive headline about the Democratic candidate's actions, accompanied by a brief text that reinforces it. When the user wants to find out more about the headline they just read , the link directs them to a real article from The Guardian (or another media outlet) that has nothing to do with the data that motivated the click.
The controversy surrounding Google's pro-Kamala Harris headlines
While the ads are clearly labeled as “sponsored,” the similarity to actual search results and the presence of well-known media names could lead users to assume the outlets are directly endorsing Harris, fueling controversy over the results Google offered when a user searched for Donald Trump. As Axios reports, spokespersons for these outlets have expressed surprise and concern at discovering their brands were being used in this way, without their knowledge or consent.
“While we understand why an organisation might want to align itself with the Guardian trustmark, we need to ensure it is used appropriately and with our permission . We will be reaching out to Google for further information on this practice,” a Guardian spokesperson said.
Google, for its part, has defended the practice, saying it does not violate its policies and that the ads are clearly marked to avoid confusion. According to the company, this type of advertising is common in the business world and both Democrats and Republicans have used it in the past. However, what might be acceptable in the world of commerce does not necessarily translate well to the sensitive terrain of politics. “We have provided additional layers of transparency specific to election ads,” a Google spokesperson explained.
Could this practice influence voting decisions?
The underlying dilemma is to what extent this tactic can influence public perception of the media and its impartiality . In an era where accusations of media bias are the order of the day, associating media outlets with political messages without permission could be a dangerous game. The newspaper industry is already struggling with distrust from some sectors of the population, and this type of advertising only adds fuel to the fire.
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