Google has made the decision to stop allowing Russian publishers to monetize their content through AdSense, AdMob, and Ad Manager starting on August 12. This move comes as part of a series of actions taken by Google since 2022 due to ongoing geopolitical tensions.
Russian content creators who rely on these platforms for revenue generation through ad impressions and clicks will now face a loss of income. Google has previously taken steps such as halting ad serving to users in Russia, demonetizing content related to the conflict in Ukraine, and blocking state-sponsored YouTube channels and videos.
The decision to halt ad monetization has drawn criticism from some Russian officials, with concerns raised about Google segregating citizens based on nationality and dividing the online space. The financial impact on Russian content creators is expected to be significant, as many have been using these platforms to monetize traffic from both domestic and international audiences.
With Google’s exit from the Russian ad market, local publishers will need to explore alternative platforms and revenue streams. This could potentially lead to the development of Russian ad tech and further isolation of the RuNet. Other companies may also take similar actions as geopolitical tensions continue.
Overall, this move by Google further isolates Russia’s digital economy and could have broad implications for the availability and quality of online content for Russian internet users. It remains to be seen how Russian publishers will adapt to this change and what the future holds for digital advertising in the country.