If you're not looking too closely, recent Kamala Harris ads may give the false impression that some leading news organizations are taking sides in the presidential campaign. The advertisements, which have turned up in Google search feeds, include links to legitimate news stories but feature—in words that appear to be headlines from the originating news organizations—pro-Harris messages written by the Democrat's campaign, per the . They were revealed by this week.
Google and the campaign defend the practice as legitimate and legal, used previously by both Democrats and Republicans. But it has raised concern from some of the outlets and others. Said Jane Kirtley, a University of Minnesota media ethics professor: "What it's about is confusion and deception.
" The Google ads have popped up for consumers making searches, usually in targeted regions. One ad has the headline, "VP Harris's Economic Vision—Lower Costs and Higher Wages." Copy underneath reads: "A future where every person has the opportunity not just to get by but to get ahead.
" The ad includes a link to a story on the AP's website, without those messages. Similarly, an ad linking to a story by the says Harris "is a champion for reproductive freedom and will stop Trump's abortion bans." Google notes the Harris ads are clearly labeled as "sponsored," so they're distinguishable from regular search results, and reveal that they're paid for by the Harris campaign.
"It's fairly common for advertisers to link out to or .