Online gambling has been bundled together with perceived harmful or socially unacceptable activities associated with adult sites, weapons and tobacco; it appears from the list of excluded businesses acceptable to the new UK Google Affiliate Network, which launched this week.
The ambivalent approach of Google on this topic is confusing – in late 2008 the UK division of the giant company lifted its ban on internet gambling adverts .
Google Affiliate Networks is designed to furnish a platform for commercial companies to interact and generate business through affiliate marketing websites, paying only for traffic that actually produces sales and business.
Google has not explained why certain categories of companies are on its excluded list.