Google updated its Political content policy, requiring advertisers to disclose election ads containing synthetic or digitally altered content.
Why we care. This policy update aims to increase transparency and combat misinformation in political advertising, particularly as AI-generated content becomes more prevalent.
Key details:
- Advertisers must select a checkbox in campaign settings to indicate altered or synthetic content.
- For specific formats (Feeds and Shorts on Mobile Phones, In-stream on various devices), Google will generate an in-ad disclosure.
- For all other formats, advertisers are responsible for providing a prominent disclosure.
How it works:
- Disclosures must be clear, conspicuous, and likely to be noticed by users.
- Examples of acceptable disclosure language are provided, varying based on ad context.
The big picture. This policy update reflects growing concerns about the potential for AI-generated content to mislead voters in political advertising.
What to watch. How this policy will be enforced and its impact on political advertising strategies, especially as the 2024 U.S. elections approach.
Between the lines. This move requires advertisers to be more transparent about their use of synthetic content, potentially changing the landscape of political ad creation and distribution.
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About the author
Anu Adegbola has been Paid Media Editor of Search Engine Land since 2024. She covers paid search, paid social, retail media, video and more.
In 2008, Anu’s career started with
delivering digital marketing campaigns (mostly but not exclusively Paid Search) by building strategies, maximising ROI, automating repetitive processes and bringing efficiency from every part of marketing departments through inspiring leadership both on agency, client and marketing tech side.
Outside editing Search Engine Land article she is the founder of PPC networking event – PPC Live, host of weekly podcast PPCChat Roundup, and brand evangelist at ClickTech.
She is also an international speaker with some of the stages she has presented on being SMX (US), SMX (Munich), Friends of Search (Amsterdam), brightonSEO, The Marketing Meetup, HeroConf (PPC Hero), SearchLove, BiddableWorld, SESLondon, PPC Chat Live, AdWorld Experience (Bologna) and more.
