Technology giant Google is facing criticism after pressuring technology influencers to promote its new Pixel mobile devices over rival gadgets, according to a report. New York PostIf they did not agree, they risked being dropped from the programme that gave them early access to the gadget.
Creators were invited to become members of the company’s “Team Pixel” program, which gives them early access to gadgets before the general public. Notably, Google launched a new series of Pixel smartphones earlier this month with the goal of improving their integration with AI tools.
According to screenshots going viral online, influencers joining the program “accept that they are expected to showcase Google Pixel devices in place of any competing mobile devices?” It further states, “Please note that if it appears that another brand is being favored over Pixel, we will require the relationship between the brand and the manufacturer to end.”
and here we go.
Leaked screenshot pic.twitter.com/nWwA6AumAS— Marks Tech? Tech Reviews – Tech News (@Marks_Tech) August 15, 2024
This new provision was not liked by digital creators, who saw it as an attempt by the company to garner positive reviews under the guise of sponsored content.
Analyst Max Weinbach, a former member of Team Pixel, noted this provision as a “new thing” this year.
In protest, tech reviewer Adam Matlock announced that he was “formally removing myself from Team Pixel.” “It’s been a good run, but the program is no longer in line with my ethics or the best interest of the content I provide to my channel and my views,” he said on X.
Marques Brownlee, another tech reviewer who is not part of Team Pixel, said, “It’s frustrating for people who are just trying to do a review. My advice is, if you’re a tech reviewer, never sign up for anything that makes you value one thing more than another. If you’re trying to present an objective review, that’s not a good objective move.”
A Google spokesperson said in a statement to The Verge that the program is separate and doesn’t have the same Pixel coverage requirements. “#TeamPixel is a separate program, independent of our press and creator review programs.”
Notably, Google and 1000heads, a PR agency, collaborated on the Team Pixel campaign. To comply with federal disclosure regulations, participants must tag their posts with “#teampixel” or “#giftfromgoogle.” “The goal of #TeamPixel is to get Pixel devices into the hands of content creators, not press and tech reviewers. We missed the target with this new language that appeared in the #TeamPixel form yesterday, and it has been removed,” he said.