Marques Brownlee, known for his MKBHD YouTube channel, is facing backlash for his latest video, which was a sponsored segment for DJI rather than an independent review. The video also included a controversial clip of Brownlee speeding in a sports car, which he later removed after criticism. Brownlee apologized for the "inexcusable and dangerous" driving and addressed concerns about the sponsored content. This incident follows another recent backlash over an expensive app he launched, highlighting growing scrutiny as he expands his ventures beyond YouTube.
TikTok will now display sponsored content in search results, allowing advertisers to place ads alongside organic content. The ads will appear with a "sponsored" label and will be pulled from other videos the brand is running on the platform. This move suggests that TikTok's search pages are becoming valuable placement for advertisers, as more young people are using the app as a Google replacement for product recommendations and other searches. However, TikTok's search function is not as developed as Google's, and the platform has previously struggled with moderating content in search results.
YouTube TV's Zen Mode, which offers a peaceful scene with calming music during ad breaks, is starting to incorporate sponsored text, interrupting the zen for some users. While some argue that selling ad space during Zen Mode destroys the small moment of peace, others see it as a way for YouTube TV to make money. This appears to be a limited test for now and could help the service avoid raising prices further.
