Google has recently posted a policy in regards to running political advertisements through its AdSense network, to tie in with the ongoing 2008 US Presidential Election.

Peter Greenberger of Google’s Elections and Issue Advocacy Team has said that the new policy boils down to five main points.

1. Each advertisement must meet the same editorial guidelines as every other AdSense advertisement. This includes not violating anyone else’s copyrights, not promoting “unacceptable alcohol products”, not promoting violence against anyone and not promoting counterfeit goods.

2. Google agrees to promote advertisements for all presidential candidates fairly, regardless of political views or affiliation. “We permit political advertisements regardless of the political views they represent, and apply our policies equally.”

3. The advertisements must not include accusations and are to contain no attacks on an individual’s personal life. Google says that a general disagreement with a candidate’s policies and overall party is fine, but that running an advertisement that attacks someone’s non-politically-related actions won’t be allowed.

4. If the advertisement is asking for donations, the advertisements landing page must clearly state that they won’t be tax-deductible.

5. Misleading advertisements won’t be allowed. The text of the advertisement must be descriptive of the candidate and can’t trick people into clicking through to the website.

It will be interesting to see what effect this policy does have on the political advertisements for presidential candidates. Let us know what you think.

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