Google Home’s ‘Beauty and the Beast’ Promo Sparks Ad Controversy
Google Home users were surprised to hear what appeared to be an advertisement during their daily updates, though Google insists it wasn’t a paid promotion. The controversial 15-second audio clip, which promoted Disney’s live-action “Beauty and the Beast” remake, was removed by Thursday afternoon following user backlash.
What Happened with the Google Home Announcement?
When users asked their Google Home devices “Tell me about my day,” the response included:
- Standard daily information (weather, commute times, calendar events)
- An unprompted mention of Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” release
- A suggestion to ask about Belle for “more movie fun” (though attempts resulted in error messages)
Google’s initial response claimed: “This isn’t an ad. The beauty in the Assistant is that it invites our partners to be our guest and share their tales.”
Google’s Evolving Explanation
By 3 p.m. PT, Google revised its statement:
“What’s circulating online was part of our My Day feature, where after providing helpful information about your day, we sometimes call out timely content. We’re continuing to experiment with new ways to surface unique content for users and we could have done better in this case.”
Why Users Thought It Was an Ad
The promotion raised eyebrows because:
- It featured a major Disney film release
- It included subjective commentary (“That rings truer if you ask me”)
- It came during a major marketing push for the film
Reddit users expressed concerns about the potential for ads in their smart home devices.
The Bigger Picture for Google Assistant
This incident comes as Google Assistant expands significantly:
- Recently launched on Android phones
- Added numerous new actions for Google Home
While Google maintains no money changed hands with Disney, the event raises questions about how the primarily ad-supported company might monetize its Assistant platform in the future.
Update 3:27 p.m.: Added Google’s additional statement and confirmation of the promo’s removal.
Update 1:36 p.m.: Clarified that no financial transaction occurred between Disney and Google regarding this promotion.
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