Google Bans Porn Ads From Adwords And Search Results
“Google AdWords doesn't allow the promotion of some types of sexual content on the Google Network. You may not do the following: promote graphic depictions of sexual acts, promote content with underage or non-consensual sexual themes, including child sexual abuse content, promote services that may be interpreted as providing sexual acts in exchange for compensation,” reads the policy.
Although some of the above is also illegal, Google made a point to note that these new restrictions apply regardless whether or not the content meets legal restrictions. Google notified affected advertisers via email.
Not only will Google block ads with pornographic content, it won’t link back to sites with that sort of content even if the ads themselves are tame enough for general consumption.
Morality In Media, which bills itself as “the leading national organization opposing pornography and indecency through public education and the application of the law”, claimed credit for the change, saying that the group met with Google and asked for these specific changes in the company’s AdWords policy in May.
What do you think: Is Google making the right move by cleaning up the ads that populate an Internet where children can stumble across decidedly adult content, or is this unnecessary censorship unduly influenced by special interest groups?