Google is rolling out a new feature aimed at helping people understand that the ads they’re seeing were created using AI technology.
AI makes it easier for businesses to create ads, place branded products in different environments, and save money on real-world e-commerce photography. But it can also be misleading if consumers aren’t aware that what they’re seeing is not a photo of the actual product. Although Google prohibits misleading or deceptive ads, ads can use AI to create some synthetic or digitally altered content. Previously, Google only required disclosure in election ads.
The tech giant said new features for consumers will be introduced to the ‘My Ad Center’ panel. This panel can be accessed by anyone around the world by clicking the three-dot menu or information icon on ads that appear on Google Search, YouTube, or Google Discover.
This panel already allows users to block or report ads and learn more about the advertiser, why they were shown, and more. Users will now also see an option called “How this ad was created” that indicates whether the ad was created or edited by AI.
Google says the disclosures are automatically enabled when advertisers create ads using the company’s generative AI advertising tools.
However, if an ad is created elsewhere, advertisers will have to use new controls to indicate whether AI was involved in its creation. Google does not perform any independent checks to determine eligibility. In some markets, ads may also be labeled as AI if required by local law.
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