Google has just discovered its biggest advertising tool.....you!
Google has announced, albeit very quietly last Friday, that it has changed its terms of service in what is being called "shared endorsements" and they involve all of us. According to Google it works like this: if you make a comment, follow a page or give something a + rating for something you've endorsed, Google can use it to promote that item and use your name and photo to do so. This has been tried before in the past, if you'll recall Facebook tried its epic failure "sponsored stories." They essentially tried to turn users "likes" and status updates into advertisements. It was eventually scrapped after a $20 million dollar class action lawsuit. 
Google's new program will essentially affect Google+ users, which most Realtor's use around the country for their social media. There is a crucial difference between Google's new program and Facebook's failed "sponsored stories." Facebook users were unable to opt out of the program whereas Google users will be able to opt out, and Google has been adamant about making this very clear.
“When it comes to shared endorsements in ads, you can control the use of your Profile name and photo via the Shared Endorsements setting. If you turn the setting to “off,” your Profile name and photo will not show up on that ad for your favorite bakery or any other ads.”
This may prove to be a key distinction and crucial for Google in any potential problems that may arise, namely legal. So for users who haven't heard of this update, don't be surprised that your face will forever appear on certain advertisements unless you opt out of the feature.
Think of this, lets say you kiddingly endorse a vat of sex lube and now that company uses your face and endorsement in an ad, how devastating could that potentially be for a Realtor?
You go to this page and make sure the box is unchecked.
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