Google's Ad Network Monetizes Climate Denial Content Despite 2021 Policy
Civil society organizations reportedly allege that Google's advertising systems continue to monetize climate misinformation content despite the company's 2021 policy ban on such ads. Investigations found outlets spreading climate denial receive substantial revenue from Google, and monitoring groups report advertisements still appear alongside climate misinformation on YouTube.
What happened
In 2021, Google announced a policy banning advertisements on content that denies the existence of climate change or its causes, to prevent climate misinformation promoters from earning money on its platforms including YouTube.
Civil society organizations signed an open letter to Google CEO Sundar Pichai stating that advertisements continue to appear alongside content denying climate change despite the stated policy, with monitoring groups still detecting ads next to climate misinformation on YouTube.
A Global Witness investigation found that The Epoch Times generated approximately $1.5 million in revenue for Google over the past year while posting content accused of spreading climate misinformation. Friends of the Earth reported that YouTube monetizes content denying climate change promoted by influencers paid by Russian influence campaigns.
Reported impact
The letter stated that climate change is currently affecting communities negatively, and that full and immediate policy enforcement is needed to ensure Google's credibility.
Following hurricanes that struck the United States, misinformation spread during relief efforts, with officials saying the false information hindered rescue operations.
Index analysis
Google monetizes climate denial content through its ad network and YouTube platform despite a stated 2021 policy against such advertising, enabling outlets like The Epoch Times and the Heartland Institute to earn revenue.
Governance controls
Google stated in 2021 that it would ban advertisements on climate denial content to prevent monetization of misinformation on its platforms.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.