Google has announced that it will not accept election advertisements in the Philippines during the election campaign and silence periods starting from Feb. 8, 2022 until May 9, 2022.

This policy will apply to election advertisements that are purchased through Google Ads, Display and Video 360, and Shopping platforms that advertisers intend to place on Google, YouTube, and partner properties. This includes advertisements that promote or oppose any political party or the candidacy of any person or party for public office.

Google said it is focusing its efforts and resources on upcoming election-related initiatives which aim to help people access useful and accurate information via product features and media literacy programs, encourage participation in the voting process, and help protect the integrity of the elections.

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“Google’s work towards supporting the elections has already started earlier this year beginning with #MagpaRehistroKa of Comelec, MullenLowe TREYNA, and Dashboard Philippines,” the company said in a media advisory. “The company supported the voter registration campaign by hosting the website on Google Cloud and promoting it on its social media pages.

In 2021, Google also launched #YOUTHink magazine both in English and in Cebuano in partnership with CANVAS as part of its commitment to helping fight misinformation through media and information literacy.