Google implements stricter gambling ad controls for consumers

Google is set to strengthen limitations on gambling advertising across its platforms following customer demand for further control over the content they interact with. The tech giant will allow users to choose whether they want to see fewer gambling ads, as well as alcohol ads, with one click of a button in their settings. The self-imposed restrictions are also reversible if the user chooses to interact with gambling or alcohol advertising in the future. The move marks a beefing up of Google’s personal ad restriction policy, which previously allowed users to mute ads they’d rather not interact with. The new feature will roll out gradually across Google platforms, starting initially with YouTube in the US. Google said it was aiming for the feature to rolled out across global YouTube and Google ads in early 2021. Countries that already have legal restrictions against gambling and alcohol advertising will not be impacted by the new feature. Debbie Weinstein, YouTube and Video Global Solutions VP, said: “We’ve heard feedback that some people would prefer to limit ads in certain categories like alcohol, so today, we’re launching a new control in ad settings, enabling people to see fewer alcohol ads, with gambling as an additional option. “We believe this new feature is an important step in user choice and control. We’ll continue to improve our controls; and as our products and people’s expectations of them evolve, so will the features we make available to personalise ad experiences,” she added.