Google’s Odd New Ad Rules

In the big picture, this is great news for candidates and campaigns. When the ability to advertising politically on Google is matched with the ever-evolving geo-targeting aspects of online advertising, the result is outstanding micro-targeted digital campaigns that can be overlaid with traditional media to win campaigns. So, I totally respect people's concerns about censoring, but, if you have a chance to look at Google's political advertising, it is pretty broad and varied and promote political discourse.

Bravo, Google! Censoring internet content and setting standards for paid advertising are two entirely different things. Candidates can put on their web pages whatever they like and Google search will find it. But, Google certainly has a right to set standards for its paid advertising; in fact, we expect them to. Would we expect Google to accept ads from a Nigerian "bank official" offering to make people rich by laundering unclaimed money? I should hope not. Google has as much right to decide what goes on their web site as do "Swift Boaters." The issue is not whether Google should set standards, but whether one agrees with the standards they set. I, for one, am pleased to see a standard that refuses to further coarsen the discourse.

Bravo, Google! Censoring internet content and setting standards for paid advertising are two entirely different things. Candidates can put on their web pages whatever they like and Google search will find it. But, Google certainly has a right to set standards for its paid advertising; in fact, we expect them to. Would we expect Google to accept ads from a Nigerian "bank official" offering to make people rich by laundering unclaimed money? I should hope not. Google has as much right to decide what goes on their web site as do "Swift Boaters." The issue is not whether Google should set standards, but whether one agrees with the standards they set. I, for one, am pleased to see a standard that refuses to further coarsen the discourse.

I like how the internet can regulate itself. THE internet is the start of something much larger. IT will allows to connect in a virtual world where we will actually assist. Soon these adds are in their infancy. Virtual adds are the way of the near future.