2024-08-20 02:15:24
Google’s Pixel 9 is being tested by tech editors and influencers around the world. The company threatened the latter if they used competing products.
An unusual contract agreement between Google and influencers is currently causing astonishment in the tech world. The company threatened the content creators with ending the collaboration if they used devices from competing companies when testing the Pixel 9. This was reported by the US magazine “The Verge”. Influencers are people who are well known on social media such as Twitch, YouTube or Instagram.
On the social network Threads, users shared the relevant contract clause from Google. It states: “Please note that if it appears that other brands are favored over the pixel, we will have to terminate the relationship between the brand and the content creator.”
In other words, anyone using devices other than the Pixel 9 will be kicked out of the Google program and risk never receiving a test device from the manufacturer again.
As “The Verge” further reports, Google has now deleted the unusual clause in the contractual agreement with influencers via the so-called “Team Pixel” program.
The company’s communications manager, Kayla Geier, told the magazine: “We missed the mark with this new wording that appeared in the #TeamPixel form yesterday, and it has been removed.” The test device program for journalists and tech editors has nothing to do with it, said Geier.
What is Team Pixel? It’s a PR agency program that provides Google-sponsored devices to influencers to test in real-life situations. Content creators typically receive the devices before the official launch in exchange for social media coverage.
For editorial offices such as t-online, other contracts apply that exist directly with Google and enable independent reporting. Editorial offices often receive the devices before or during a product presentation and the manufacturer specifies a time for test publications. The test devices are then returned to the manufacturer.