Google: Blocking bisexual organization’s ad account for using “bisexual” and “gay” was “a mistake”
Google's AdWords service considered "bisexual" and "gay" to be "sexually explicit" keywords
Google has been forced to apologize to a bisexual advocacy organization after flagging “bisexual” and “gay” as “sexually explicit.”
The search giant’s AdWords advertising network banned BiNet USA’s account for using the terms, according to a tweet from the organization’s vice president Faith Cheltenham.
Google told Cheltenham that BiNet USA had been flagged “because you are using sexually explicit keywords (bisexual, gay, etc) in your account.”
The email added that BiNet USA should be using keywords that “reflect your organization’s mission and be relevant to your nonprofit’s programs and services” — though we’re not sure what could be more relevant than “bisexual.”
Cheltenham said she was “disappointed” Google considered the terms “too dirty to use in the work BiNet USA does to save lives from suicide, abuse and harm.”
It took years to get the word bisexual unbanned by @Google . Disappointed today to see that @adwords again considers the words “#bisexual” and “#gay” too dirty to use in the work @BiNetUSA does to save lives from suicide, abuse and harm. #bisexualerasure pic.twitter.com/m6GdOuMy3I
— Faith Cheltenham (@thefayth) January 2, 2018
One of Google’s Twitter accounts responding, saying it was “a mistake” and apologizing.
“We don’t have a policy banning terms like “gay” or “bisexual” for being sexually explicit,” the Google Grants account said. “We’ve reactivated your account and will look into how this happened.”
Cheltenham responded, saying their apology “counts for much considering how often bisexual people are erased without a single sorry.”
This was later affirmed in a second email from Google’s Ad Grants team, reiterating that Google does “not have a policy banning terms like ‘gay’ or ‘bisexual’ for being sexually explicit.”
Okay @Google. That was quick. Thank you for reinstating the account of @BiNetUSA and affirming that words “bisexual” and “gay” are both relevant search terms and identities to take pride in. Thank you for apologizing. Thank you for fixing @adwords and let’s not next time? 🤞🏾 pic.twitter.com/d0NIqoOZ5w
— Faith Cheltenham (@thefayth) January 3, 2018
Support Metro Weekly’s Journalism
These are challenging times for news organizations. And yet it’s crucial we stay active and provide vital resources and information to both our local readers and the world. So won’t you please take a moment and consider supporting Metro Weekly with a membership? For as little as $5 a month, you can help ensure Metro Weekly magazine and MetroWeekly.com remain free, viable resources as we provide the best, most diverse, culturally-resonant LGBTQ coverage in both the D.C. region and around the world. Memberships come with exclusive perks and discounts, your own personal digital delivery of each week’s magazine (and an archive), access to our Member's Lounge when it launches this fall, and exclusive members-only items like Metro Weekly Membership Mugs and Tote Bags! Check out all our membership levels here and please join us today!
