Google to Simplify Advertizer Controls Amid Outcry Over Extremist Videos

By Stu Woo 

LONDON--An executive for Alphabet Inc.'s Google apologized Monday for commercials that appeared before extremist videos on its YouTube site and said it would simplify tools that allow advertisers to control where their ads appear.

Google already provides controls that allow advertisers to choose where their ads go, said Matt Brittin, Google's president for Europe, Middle East and Africa. But advertisers weren't using such tools, perhaps because they were too complex, he said.

"If the controls are there but people aren't using them, that's our problem," Mr. Brittin said at an Advertising Week conference in London.

On Monday, Marks and Spencer became the latest company to suspend its advertizing from Google. The move by the U.K. retailer comes after major advertisers, including the U.K. government and the British unit of French advertising giant Havas SA, suspended advertising on YouTube and the Google Display Network last week after a report showing that commercials appeared before videos supporting terrorist groups.

Mr. Brittin said he would step up enforcement and review its policies to make sure ads wouldn't unwittingly appear next to extremist videos. He said Google wanted to be careful with how it did so because some advertisers, such as news organizations, might want to place ads alongside controversial content.

"We want to be thoughtful," Mr. Brittin said, adding that Google would reveal more details soon.

Write to Stu Woo at [e-mail]

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

March 20, 2017 08:48 ET (12:48 GMT)

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