Google announced plans to roll out “shared endorsements” which will augment its own advertisements with information from users who rated, reviewed, or gave a +1 to the service or location.
Google’s this new feature is somewhat similar to Facebook’s “sponsored stories”.
Google had updated its Terms of Service to include this new feature. We can read the details about the ToS changes here. The new Terms will go live on Monday, November 11.
We’ve made three changes:
- First, clarifying how your Profile name and photo might appear in Google products (including in reviews, advertising and other commercial contexts).
- You can control whether your image and name appear in ads via the Shared Endorsements setting.
- Second, a reminder to use your mobile devices safely.
- Third, details on the importance of keeping your password confidential.
Users will be able to control whether or not their profile images and names appear in reviews, advertising and other commercial contexts on Google properties. This can be managed through the Shared Endorsements setting.
Google asserted that this could only happen when users take an action (i.e. +1 an item on Google+, etc.), and their images and names are only visible to contacts already designated for sharing.
How to turn on or off shared endorsements on ads:
- Sign into your Google account. If you came to this page while still creating your account, finish that process first, then come back here.
- Go to the Shared Endorsements setting page. If you are not already a Google+ user, you will be asked to upgrade your account.
- To allow people to see your name and photo in shared endorsements appearing in ads, check the box next to “Based upon my activity, Google may show my name and profile photo in shared endorsements that appear in ads.” Then, click the “Save” button to save your new setting.
- If you’d like to disable this setting, just uncheck the box and click “Save.” Remember, unchecking the box means that Google won’t be able to share your recommendations with your friends in some cases where they might otherwise see and benefit from them.
