Envibe
With its sleek good looks and easy-to-use yet powerful functionality, Envibe is the premium fitness club software for the Australasian leisure, recreation and fitness industry. We are the most…
read moreSearch engine Google has announced that it is to crack down on ticket resellers’ controversial use of its AdWords online advertising platform.
From January 2018, Google will introduce stringent restrictions on secondary ticketing websites use of AdWords, forcing them to abide by a set of new regulations that prevent them from presenting themselves as official sellers.
Under the new measures – which come on the back of United Kingdom politicians accusing sites such as Viagogo, StubHub, Seatwave and Get Me In! of violating Google’s Adwords policies on misrepresentation, as well as recent research showing the extent of secondaries’ domination of Google search results – Google will include ticket resellers in its ‘other restricted businesses’ AdWords category, requiring them to be certified with Google before they can advertise through AdWords.
To apply for certification, resellers must agree to:
• Inform customers that their prices may be higher than face value
• Break down prices to show included fees and taxes during checkout, and before the customer provides payment information
• List the face value of the tickets, along with the reseller’s price in the same currency (from March 2018)
The updated AdWords policy also prohibits secondary sellers from implying they are the ‘primary or original provider of event tickets’, an issue with Viagogo, which is known for presenting itself on Google as an ‘official site’ for concert tickets – and mandates that they “disclose to customers that they are a reseller”.
The new AdWords policy will apply globally, with resellers able to request certification from 8th January next year.
Live Performance Australia has welcomed the news, with Chief Executive Evelyn Richardson commenting “this is a significant step to provide consumers with greater certainty and more transparency when they are buying tickets online.
“Some ticket resellers have been passing themselves off as the official ticket seller for shows and events through their manipulation of online search and advertising practices.
“Google’s indisputable influence in search and online advertising means these measures should make a real difference in addressing some of the problems associated with the secondary ticket market.
“Our recently published Safe Tix Guide includes a warning for consumers about online ticket resellers using these methods.”
Prior to introduction of Google’s new guidelines Richardson warned consumers to continue to exercise caution when buying tickets online especially for upcoming summer season shows and festivals.
Image: Commonwealth Games 2018 tickets listed on Viagogo.
17th November 2017 - AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT BEGINS TICKET SCALPING CONSULTATION
16th November 2017 - VICTORIA GOVERNMENT TO CRACKDOWN ON TICKET SCALPING
16th November 2017 - LIVE PERFORMANCE AUSTRALIA PASSES 100 YEAR OPERATIONAL LANDMARK
19th October 2017 - NSW PARLIAMENT APPROVES LEGISLATION FOR 10% CAP ON TICKET RESALES
8th October 2017 - NSW GOVERNMENT LOOKS TO OUTLAW TICKET SCALPING
5th October 2017 - CHOICE NAMES VIAGOGO AMONG AUSTRALIA’S SHONKIEST PRODUCTS OF 2017
1st September 2017 - GOOGLE URGED TO BLOCK ONLINE RESELLERS WHO DUPE TICKET BUYERS
28th August 2017 - ACCC COMMENCES LEGAL ACTION AGAINST TICKET RESELLER VIAGOGO
24th August 2017 - CRICKET AUSTRALIA CANCELS 3,000 SCALPED TICKETS FOR PERTH ASHES TEST
8th August 2017 - LPA RELEASES GUIDE TO HELP CONSUMERS AVOID TICKETING SCAMS
22nd May 2017 - INFLATED TICKET RESALE PRICES IMPACTING CONSUMERS’ DISCRETIONARY ENTERTAINMENT SPENDING
4th May 2017 - LIVE PERFORMANCE AUSTRALIA CALLS FOR FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO ‘STOP THE BOTS’
22nd March 2017 - SENATE PASSES RESOLUTION CALLING FOR REFORM OF LAWS AGAINST TICKET SCALPING
8th March 2017 - CHOICE MAGAZINE ACCUSES TICKET RESALE SITES OF MISLEADING FANS
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