PazOthMar 29, 2023
GovTrack.us

Periodically Google lets us know it is a violation of their policies (their ads business manages the ads on GovTrack) to display ads on our bill pages that have the text of bills in Congress that would ban assault weapons.

Every algorithm is political. If you think an algorithm isn't political, it's probably because you're on the side the algorithm benefits.

Mar 29, 2023 at 4:38pmWeb
Show threadAral BalkanMar 29, 2023
@GovTrack Wow. Also? Wow.
Show threadJames HareMar 29, 2023
@GovTrack Why does GovTrack show ads?
Show threadGovTrack.usMar 29, 2023
@hare Because food and shelter and having a comfortable life costs money for all of our team members.
Show threadJames HareApr 2, 2023
@GovTrack Sorry, should have followed with "as opposed to other funding models". I suppose ads are tried+true.
Show threadGovTrack.usApr 2, 2023
@hare No other funding model has generated nearly enough revenue to do anything interesting, unfortunately. E.g. https://www.patreon.com/govtrack
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Show threadA thought an image some wordsMar 30, 2023
@GovTrack @nandoodles Is this of particular interest?
Show threadDevin CanterberryMar 30, 2023
@GovTrack I am very curious which part of their policy this scenario violates. Do they provide a citation?
Show threadGovTrack.usMar 30, 2023
@canterberry Promoting the sale of weapons: https://support.google.com/adsense/answer/10437795?hl=en
Google Publisher Restrictions - Google AdSense Help

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Show threadCeceliaMar 30, 2023
@GovTrack @canterberry Only that an imminant ban might inspire some folks to buy more of the to-be-banned weapons—but that’s not exactly what they’re saying.