Google is all set to update its Product Ratings policies to restrict the use of automated and artificial intelligence (AI) content in reviews from August 28, 2023.
The firm will deploy a combination of AI tools and human-based evaluation to enforce the policy and ensure compliance. This comes after the firm’s legal action against scammers who use fake reviews and listings to deceive and exploit consumers back in June 2023.
Clarifying Existing Policies
The updated policies cover a range of issues, including spam content, dangerous products or acts, personal and confidential information, illegal content, hate speech, and more. Google aims to eliminate irrelevant and harmful content from its platform to enhance user experience.
Restriction on Automated Content
A notable addition to the policies is the restriction on automated content. Google will not allow reviews that are primarily generated by an automated program or AI application. This step is taken to ensure that reviews are genuine and submitted by real users.
Enforcement Strategy
To enforce these policies effectively, Google will employ a combination of AI tools and human-based evaluation. Automated programs and AI applications generating reviews will be marked as spam to maintain the integrity of the platform.
Enhancing User Trust
Google values first-hand experiences and seeks to eliminate misleading or fraudulent content. By blocking duplicate reviews and flagging policy violations, the platform ensures a fair and transparent review system.
This update comes as part of Google’s ongoing efforts to enhance its user experience and create a trustworthy environment for consumers and businesses alike.
With the new policies set to take effect, users can expect a more reliable and informative review system on Google’s platform. By taking action against policy violators and repeat offenders, Google aims to maintain the credibility of its product reviews and shopping platforms.
Regarding the new Product Ratings policy on Automated Content, Google states that,
We don’t allow reviews that are primarily generated by an automated program or artificial intelligence application. If you have identified such content, it should be marked as spam in your feed using the
<is_spam>attribute.