Google runs ads on search queries for racist disinformation and conspiracies

Google runs ads on search queries for racist disinformation and conspiracies

Google is profiting by running ads on search results promoting racist conspiracy theories, climate disinformation and Kremlin talking points, according to new research from the Center for Countering Digital Hate.

Using Semrush, an enterprise analytics tool for Google Search, researchers identified ads for the Daily Wire media outlet, targeting 155 unique search queries related to race, conspiracy theories and disinformation.

Below is a snapshot of the search terms Google allowed Daily Wire to advertise on, and the disinformation and hate Daily Wire promoted.

• Ads running on the keywords “black crime” promoted an article claiming there is an “epidemic of black-on-black crime”, despite official statistics showing that is not the case.
• Ads running on the keywords “george floyd cause of death” promoted an article claiming he “likely died of fentanyl overdose” despite medical examiners ruling the death a “homicide” and an autopsy concluding the death was a result of “asphyxia due to neck and back compression”.
• Ads running on the keywords “why does george soros hate america” promoted an article describing Jewish financier George Soros as a “leftist puppet-master” who is “perpetuating the migrant crisis in Europe”, playing into far-right conspiracies that Jewish people are using immigration to undermine Western nations.
• Ads running on the keywords “why is climate change fake” directed users to an article promoting the idea that climate change is a “hoax”, despite a 2021 promise from Google not to profit from ads promoting climate denial.
• Ads running on the keywords “infanticide bill” promoted claims that legislation promoted by California Democrats could have “legalized infanticide”, something proven false by fact-checkers.
• Ads running on the keywords “what is putin saying about ukraine” promoting an article titled “Russia Says It Is Ready To Stop Invasion ‘In A Moment’ If Ukraine Meets Conditions”.
• Ads running on the keywords “bill gates population control” promoted an article claiming Gates’ investment of $18 million into the UN’s family planning programs was a tool to exercise population control in Africa.

Google searches are the lens through which billions of people find information every day. Google is profiting from the Daily Wires ads, which are distorting that lens and the facts and information that people trust Google to deliver. The Daily Wire is actively sowing hate and misinformation to drive outrage and clicks to its website to increase its profits.

Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google, has claimed Google is committed to racial equality. Yet Google’s products are helping to undermine the civil rights of minority groups through disinformation and hate.

Imran Ahmed, CEO of the Center for Countering Digital Hate said:

“Google is actively profiting from lies, disinformation, and hate that undermine civil rights, democracy, and national security. 

There is no justification for selling search terms related to race or George Floyd’s death to promote racist ideas and disinformation. Google is profiting by stoking the flames of racial tension and conflict in the United States. 

It shouldn’t take complicated and expensive tools to uncover how Google is reshaping search results to benefit its commercial partners. Facebook has an Ad Library of advertisements it is carrying and it’s time for real transparency and accountability from Google Ads.

Now that their unethical, dangerous and cynical profiteering has been exposed, we expect Google to live up to its old maxim – Do No Evil – and stop spreading hate and disinformation in our society. 

A list of the search terms, the related Google Ad copy and the category it falls into can be found here:

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