14 DAY TRIAL // Google's problem due to bad ad placement on YouTube isn't going away, despite promises to improve its systems. In fact, things are getting worse for Google as AT&T and Verizon decided to pull their ads.
The telecommunications giants have both announced changes in the way their ads are displayed. While AT&T has addressed the issue head-on, saying it was going to pull some of its advertising because some of its ads may have run next to controversial YouTube videos promoting extremism and hate, Verizon's statement is a bit more veiled.
"We are deeply concerned that our ads may have appeared alongside YouTube content promoting terrorism and hate. Until Google can ensure this won't happen again, we are removing our ads from Google's non-search platforms," reads the company's statement.
That means AT&T's ads will no longer appear on YouTube, and the decision affects all markets across the globe.
Verizon joins the list too
Verizon also confirmed it was suspending its ads with Google, although it's not clear if it has made a selection of platforms like AT&T did.
"Once we were notified that our ads were appearing on non-sanctioned websites, we took immediate action to suspend this type of ad placement and launched an investigation. We are working with all of our digital advertising partners to understand the weak links so we can prevent this from happening in the future," they said.
The two companies join a long list of advertisers who decided to pull their ads from Google and YouTube after it was revealed that some of their ads were being displayed next to videos promoting terrorism or hate.
Google said it wasn't going to comment on individual customers and their decision to halt their ad businesses, but admitted to kicking off an extensive review of its policies, while also making a public commitment to put in place changes that give brands more control over where their ads appear.