Google makes a ‘betting mistake’ with Polymarkets, calls it a …
Google has clarified that it mistakenly displayed Polymarket bets in its News section. The tech giant labeled the incident as an “error” and confirmed that it has been resolved. The mistake drew criticism after Polymarket betting listings reportedly popped up alongside regular news stories, sometimes in prominent blocks with links to various wagering options.In a statement to The Verge, Google spokesperson Ned Adriance said, “Google News is designed to show sources that create content about current issues, events, and important topics, and we have policies for sites to be eligible to appear. This site briefly appeared in Google News in error, and it is no longer surfacing in News.”
How Polymarket bets were mistakenly shown on Google News
According to screenshots shared by Futurism, Polymarket bets were frequently displayed in the “For you” section of Google News, which is customised based on user interests. In some cases, these listings appeared as the top result, including entries on Bitcoin prices. The report added that such content was also visible on the Google News homepage.The listings were not limited to one section. They appeared across Google News, including within search results. For example, queries related to the Strait of Hormuz showed established outlets like Financial Times, The Guardian, and Reuters, followed by a Polymarket entry tied to shipping activity in the region, the report noted.Searching for “Polymarket” in Google News also allowed users to select it as a source, leading to a page that compiled similar entries, the report continued. Users could also select other platforms like Reddit and X as sources, but Kalshi, another prediction market, was not an option.Google had earlier announced a partnership with Polymarket and Kalshi to integrate prediction data into its finance platform, though it remains unclear whether the partnership was linked to the appearance of such content in Google News.The addition of these prediction market listings may be related to the frequency of updates on these webpages, which may appear like news articles. On the other hand, these prediction market sites have been criticised for offering speculative information that resembles news reporting.Prediction markets are places where users can bet on real-life events, assigning probabilities to outcomes through user behaviour. Although marketed as an analytical tool, its data relies on the number of users involved rather than verified reports.According to reports, prediction market listings are a new feature in Google News, with social media users complaining about them since late March. Other cases have also been reported earlier in the year, appearing in Google Search’s News category.
