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We were thrilled when our research into the Harris campaign’s misleading use of ads in Google results went viral on X and in the press this week. Here’s how we discovered it and shared it with the world:
August 6: AllSides Identifies Misleading Ads
AllSides Content Intern Kai Lincke (Lean Left bias) noticed a misleading Kamala Harris ad in Google Search results and notified AllSides editors.
We then researched extensively and found several more examples from large media outlets:
NEW: Kamala Harris’ presidential campaign is misrepresenting news articles in Google search, making them appear like endorsements, AllSides has found.
— AllSides (@AllSidesNow) August 13, 2024
Thread pic.twitter.com/YPPKtalMEj
We also looked into whether the Trump or Kennedy campaigns were using similar tactics, but found no evidence of that.
August 7: AllSides Decides to Share the Story With Others
AllSides reveals bias and misinformation from left to right so we all can see the big picture. This seemed like a very big story and we wanted it to give it the attention it deserved. We decided to share our investigation with other media so it could get an even larger spotlight.
August 8: AllSides Alerts Media Outlets
AllSides’ PR reached out to a range of major media outlets, notifying them of the scoop and the details of our research. Numerous outlets, including Axios (Lean Left bias), expressed interest in reporting on it.
August 9-12: Discussions with Media Outlets
Media outlets, starting with Axios, reached out to us to learn more. We gave them more information, and they continued the research themselves. We also explicitly recommended that the Harris campaign stop using this tactic, that the Trump campaign not use this tactic (we could find no evidence that it has), and that Google changes its ad policies (like Facebook did earlier) to not permit this kind of tactic.
August 13: AllSides Report Goes Viral
AllSides published the full details of our investigation, as did Axios, Fox News (Right), Newsweek (Center), USA TODAY (Lean Left), New York Post (Lean Right), The New Republic (Left), The Daily Mail (Right) and many other major sources across the spectrum. Axios also included a quote from AllSides CEO John Gable discussing the findings. The research has since been shared across social media, acknowledged by Elon Musk, and many more.
Whoa!
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 14, 2024
Seems dishonest https://t.co/l2FNZN7MnW
— The Rabbit Hole (@TheRabbitHole84) August 13, 2024
This is wild y’all https://t.co/GIQe3j1UiG
— Hodgetwins (@hodgetwins) August 14, 2024
BREAKING: The Harris campaign is editing news headlines on Google search ads to make it look like reputable news sites are giving her favorable reporting, according to Axios.
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) August 13, 2024
These are the same people who accuse the right of “misinformation.”
The news sites include the… pic.twitter.com/QNg7SN0Au4
We’re a very small team, so we were happy that our research was able to make such an impact.