NO on 8, shame on Google Adwords

As some of you may or may not have noticed, Google Adwords has been targeting our California readers by placing "Yes on 8" ads on The Dieline. This is inexcusable. I am not sure how long they have been running, but as soon as I noticed this morning I have removed all google ads until google can ensure that they will not run again, or until after the election. Google themselves are publicly against prop 8. I am sorry if this has angered any of our readers as much as it has angered me.

I have largely avoided displaying any political bias in any way on The Dieline, (I don't want to mix politics and packaging!) but I will not stand for hate of any kind. Regardless of how you personally feel about marriage, any group that wants to remove constitutional rights is not acceptable, it is pure discrimination and hate. As a gay Californian, I will not stand for this. I believe in equal rights for all, regardless of race, gender, or sexual orientation. I will not profit from these hateful ads, and I have taken all of today earnings and donated them directly to the NO on 8 campaign. I urge every Californian to please vote NO on 8.  Please don't take away my rights. Thank You.

Andrew Gibbs

Founder & Editor In Chief

UPDATE: I agree with some of the comments about not directly blaming Google, but the problem is, as far as I know, Google has never run any political ads on this site, ever. Google Adwords are contextual ads that are supposed to relate to the content of the site, and in the past they have worked incredibly well. I have never had to filter the ads because they were never a problem, until now. Just how is a "Yes on 8" ad related to packaging? This is not a political site, and there is nothing in the content that would trigger these ads. The fact that they allowed a completely unrelated ad on the site is what frustrates me. I have set the ads to filter (thanks Jason!), but it says it may take several hours.

Comments

[Matt Haughey]

What is the URL to be blocked so I can add it to my own site's block list?

[Adam T.]

Good for you, Andrew. It frustrates me to no end seeing Yes on 8 signs while driving around... in Oakland of all places! Here's hoping No wins by a landslide tomorrow.

Love the site, too. Keep up the good work.

[Erika Kubli]

Thank you, Andrew. I did see it on your site, as well as other sites that I frequent, and I must tell you it bothered me tremendously. I appreciate you clarifying the error. I hope that it was mistakenly posted on the other websites also.

[Joel]

I removed google ads from my blog for the very same reason.

[Kate]

I am highly impressed with your integrity regarding this site; to pull an advertiser (and their moneys) when they are clearly advocating discrimination and hatred is commendable.

I am even more a fan of The Dieline than I already was specifically because of your actions.

thank you.

[Kristan Hoffman]

I'll be honest, I didn't notice, but I'm proud of you too. I'm also extremely surprised Google is FOR Prop 8. I thought they were supposed to be awesome to work for, very accepting and forward-thinking...???

Wish I could vote on it myself...

[Silus Grok]

While I certainly agree that you should only allow ads that reflect your editorial sensibility, I think it safe to say that reasonable people can disagree on Prop 8. I, personally, see both sides of the issue. But expecting Google to pro-actively censor ads on controversial issues is a little extreme.

[rishi]

wow! way to go!

[Brian]

It is sad that a voter advocating hatred and overt bigotry can be considered a "values voter". I don't live in California, nor am I gay, but I am behind you unconditionally. I commend you for doing the right thing and sending the money to a good cause!

Great blog, by the way!

[Pims]

Google screwed up big time (since they personally disapproved it). Glad you noticed it !

[Naomi]

Andrew, thanks for living your integrity! I appreciate your voice on this issue and your choices for your site.

[Paul]

I totally agree! The same thing happened to me today. I immediately removed Google ads from my site.

[Jason Beaird]

While I respect your position and admire the fact that you're putting your money where your mouth is by donating the days ad revenue, I'm sad to see you putting the blame on Google when they are publicly against the proposition.

Adwords is not targeting California readers, Adwords advertisers are. There are advertisers pushing all kinds of things through context-based advertising networks that you wouldn't want on your site. If you're not filtering the ads yourself (with the allowed sites or ad review center features of adsense), disagreeable ones are bound to slip through.

If you aren't filtering your ads, you can include the url of the offending ad to your competitive ad filter list (under the AdSense setup tab) and it won't show up on your site again.

Hope that helps. The Dieline is one of my favorite regular reads and I appreciate all the hard work I'm sure you put into it.

[Jessi]

Good for you! We have a similar Amendment coming through Florida right now too. It scares me that discrimination might be written into the Constitution.Google ads drive me crazy sometimes. I am a big proponent of rescuing dogs from shelters, but when Google sees the word "dog" in my email they put in ads for breeders. SO frustrating.To Kristan (above comment) - Google is AGAINST 8 - re-read the article.

[Michele Alemanno]

If I was american I would vote against prop 8. I'm really anxious about the elections there... I hope that everything will go in the right direction! And thank you for your precious blog!

[Kristan Hoffman]

Lol yes Jessi, thanks. I reread and realized I had misread earlier. YAY Google for not suddenly disappointing me immensely.

[D]

I applaud (and agree) with your stance on the proposition. I also applaud Google (and Apple) for publicly speaking out against it.

That said, I have to echo some of the other comments. I'm not sure we can blame Google here. Censoring ads based on political preference would be a dangerous precedence for them.

[Glenn Sakamoto]

As a native Californian, I am voting No on 8. Shame on Google!

[Rachel]

Google came out with a statement officially stating they do not support Prop 8.

[sandy]

thank you for pulling those ads! creative fields are so wonderfully diverse - prop 8 should know better than to advertise here! ;)

[abocha]

I find it admirable that you took this stand and donated the proceeds to the No on 8 campaign.

[Trevor Wills]

I have trained myself to not even see ad's on the internet so I didn't see it, but good for you!I hope California makes the right choice and votes no on Prop 8! Taking away peoples right's is wrong, I love that the rest of the United States can look up to California on this issue, and hopefully in the future, every state will open their eyes.

[Rebecca Rose]

I voted No on Prop 8 today and am waiting with fingers crossed while the numbers are tallied, but just wanted you to know you have another supporter. And, I LOVE your blog. :)

[Trend de la Crème]

I'm all for freedom of speech, but I'm not cool with being used as a puppet to facilitate somebody else's twisted ideals. Perhaps Google could run my "Prop 8 Sucks Balls" banner on the www.yesonprop8.com website tonight, after they've turned off their lights and gone to sleep. Then maybe I'll feel slightly less pissed off.

[Cory O'Brien]

Thankfully this is no longer an issue now that the election is over, but I'd hope that moving forward, we learn form these mistakes and make political advertising opt-in instead of opt-out. Especially when it runs the danger of being confused as an endorsement by the blogger.