Google set to allow gambling ads on search result pages
Saturday 18th October 2008
In a move which few had expected it has been confirmed that Google is set to lift its 4 year ban on gambling ads and allow gambling sites to advertise on their search result pages. The move has received a mixed response as you might expect with many groups suggesting that this is reckless in the extreme and others of the view that it was about time for the change. But what is really behind the move?
There have been a number of ideas put forward as to the reason for the change in policy, which will initially happen in the UK and then probably be rolled out, but there is one which really sticks out like a sore thumb. Is the mighty Google finally feeling the economic pinch? Is the recession which has smashed worldwide economies finally hitting cyberspace? Is the juggernaut which is Google desperate for cash?
While there is no real chance of Google struggling financially due in the main to the massive cash flow from many of the groups operations, it may well be feeling the pinch on the advertising side. While Google may control many areas of cyberspace it is only a company after all!