New Google policy: Google will no longer run ads with disinformation about climate change on its search engine and on YouTube

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SAN FRANCISCO: Google on Thursday said it will no longer run ads alongside climate change disinformation on its search engine or global video sharing platform YouTube.

Google’s new YouTube policy for advertisers, publishers and creators will ban platforms from helping people earn from content that “contradicts the established scientific consensus on the existence and causes of climate change.”

This includes online content that refers to climate change as a hoax or scam, or that denies that the global temperature is rising and that human activity is contributing to the problem, Google said in a post.

“Advertisers simply don’t want their ads to appear alongside this content,” Google said.

“And publishers and creators don’t want ads promoting these claims to appear on their pages or videos.”

The internet giant added that the policy change is in line with the company’s efforts to promote sustainable practices and tackle climate change.

“Google’s major decision to demonetize climate disinformation could turn the tide on the economy of climate denial,” said Fadi Quran, campaign director for the NGO Avaaz.

“For years, climate disinformers have confused public opinion and hindered urgent political action on climate change, and YouTube has been one of their favorite weapons.”

The Quran has urged other online platforms to follow Google’s lead and stop funneling money to those who sell denied denials of climate change.

Social networking giant Facebook, which is Google’s biggest competitor in the digital advertising market, is promoting efforts to stem climate disinformation on its platform, but hasn’t enforced such an advertising ban.

Social media platforms are routinely accused of promoting content that provokes strong emotional responses in order to keep users engaged so that the platforms can make more money from ads, even if the content can cause harm.

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