Google's Team Pixel program, which influencers can only join by invitation, this year required them to not showcase Pixel devices and products when they are next to competitors' devices and products. The absolute worst thing an influencer can do in Google's eyes is say they prefer one competing phone over another. Pixels 9 Series model. This can lead to the influencer being excluded from the program.
Google didn't want influencers to say they preferred a rival phone over a Pixel 9 series model. | Image Credit Threads
Screenshots have surfaced on “X” and Threads of the clause in this year's Team Pixel agreement that reads: “If you choose to participate in this program, do you acknowledge that you will be expected to showcase the Google Pixel device instead of competitor mobile devices? Please note that if it becomes apparent that other brands are being favored over the Pixel, we may have to terminate the relationship between the brand and the creator.” There are two places where the influencer can tap “yes.” They acknowledge and agree, or they disagree.
Kayla Geier, communications manager at Google, told The Verge that the company felt the language on the #TeamPixel form was off-target and that the form was removed.
“#TeamPixel is a standalone program, separate from our press and creator review programs. The goal of #TeamPixel is to get Pixel devices into the hands of content creators, not press and technical reviewers. We missed the mark with this new wording that appeared on the #TeamPixel form yesterday, and it has been removed.” – Kayla Geier, Google Communications Manager
In addition to the commitment of influencers, the Pixels 9 line next to the competition, Google forced them not to say that they prefer other phones over the Pixels 9 line. Who these restrictions were aimed at was not entirely clear online, as some assumed that the restrictions were for product reviewers such as TelephoneArenaInstead, as mentioned, the restrictions applied to influencers who were members of Team Pixel.
Unlike the testers, who receive their devices before the reveal, the influencers receive their phones after the event, but before the devices are shipped to the public. Several members of Team Pixel dropped out of the program after receiving the new terms, as they felt their ability to provide an honest review of the Pixels 9 Series was threatened.