Don’t Be Evil (Or A Dyke, Or Trans)
Mar 15th, 2025 by Jessica Gold Haralson
Are Google AdWords out of line with Google sex queries? Violet Blue questions the propensity of Google AdWords to completely misrepresent searches on the web browser in this article:
With equal parts bitter irony, offense and amusement, I receive regular e-mails from Open Source Sex readers about the keyword-generated Google AdWords text ads that regularly populate the bottom of this page. Take a look at a few of my columns — especially the porn entries — and you’ll be, er, treated to a fat serving of sexually shaming “porn addiction — get help” text ads. Which, of course, run totally against the grain of the pro-porn message I’m dishing out. Because I want you all to get help, too — help finding better porn, that is.
But I’ve never been shocked about this: Google AdWords has a rep for pairing inappropriate (if not offensive) text ads with the original content it’s posted with — especially when it comes to sex. AdWords’ insensitivities might seem trifling or even amusing on the surface (let’s assume those of you reading my column feel OK about porn enough to disregard the douchey anti-porn ads at the bottom of the page), but those trying to make a positive change in the way their sexuality is portrayed in the wider culture are facing a David vs. Goliath battle of keywords.