Google threatened tech influencers unless they ‘preferred’ the Pixel
A new stipulation in the Team Pixel influencer program is causing a stir among creators. | Photo by Chris Welch / The Verge
The tech review world has been full of murky deals between companies and influencers for years, but it appears Google finally crossed a line with the Pixel 9. The company’s invite-only Team Pixel program — which seeds Pixel products to influencers before public availability — stipulated that participating influencers were not allowed to feature Pixel products alongside competitors, and those who showed a preference for competing phones risked being kicked out of the program. For those hoping to break into the world of tech reviews, the new terms meant having to choose between giving up access or keeping their integrity.
The Verge has independently confirmed screenshots of the clause in this year’s Team Pixel agreement for the new Pixel…