Google and Microsoft are running ad placement experiments in AI technology without giving advertisers the option to opt out, raising concerns about potentially damaging effects on brand reputation if their products or services are associated with inappropriate content. As a result, digital marketers are calling on these tech giants to provide the chance to opt out in response.
Last month, Google announced that it plans to apply its existing search ads in its new Search Generative Experience experiments, but without offering advertisers the ability to opt out. While the search engine will be closely monitoring ad placement performance during the testing phase, some brands are uncertain about the risks. Microsoft is also experimenting with ads in its Bing AI chatbot without giving advertisers an opt-out option. Despite concerns from advertisers, the Bing chatbot has received positive feedback from users, with 71% positive results in its debut week.
Both companies claim to be listening to advertiser concerns and have expressed plans to address those issues. However, as ad placement experiments are still being tested, marketers will not be able to opt out of this testing phase.
Marketers are cautious of associating their brands with unwanted content and want control over where their advertisements appear online. Some businesses have temporarily stopped their ad spending in response to these restrictions, while others have criticized the practices as not being industry standard.
It is important for digital marketers to be aware of the potential risks that come with AI ad placements and ensure their digital advertising strategy is adjustable and transparent.
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(Keywords: AI ad placement, opt-out option, brand reputation, digital marketers, Google, Microsoft, Search Generative Experience, Bing AI chatbot, positive feedback, risks, ad spending, digital advertising strategy)