Hopefully we’re about to see an end to using Adwords to trick users into downloading crapware-filled versions of free desktop software like Firefox, uTorrent and Chromium.

Google is allowing free software developers to specify their official website in order to prevent peddlars of malware from buying Adwords slots and hawking their cloned, often barely functional, versions filled with whatever nasties they can pack into them.

Even Google products were being clickjacked
And Firefox too.

This is something that has been complained about for a long time. From late-April advertisers will only be able to promote free desktop software downloads from the designated primary distribution source of that software. Project developers are being asked to provide their official download domains.

The full email to advertisers is below. It’s a good solution.

Dear AdWords Advertiser,

We’re writing to let you know about a change to Google’s advertising policies that might affect your AdWords account. Around late April, the Google AdWords policy on unsupported content will change to include additional requirements related to free desktop software downloads. If you don’t promote free desktop software, this change shouldn’t impact you.

After this change, you won’t be allowed to promote free desktop software unless the ad explicitly names the promoted software and leads to the designated primary distribution source for the software.

If you advertise free desktop software, please make sure that your ads and landing pages meet the following standards:

— The ad includes the promoted software’s name

— The ad directs to a landing page on the site that’s designated as the software’s primary distribution source

Google will be providing software developers an opportunity to designate their primary distribution source for use with these ads.

Advertisers will be required to comply with the new AdWords “unsupported content” policy around late April. After the new policy goes into effect, you’ll see details at https://support.google.com/adwordspolicy/answer/6023676?hl=en#uc

Sincerely,

The Google AdWords Team

Yes, I know uTorrent isn’t open source and is basically officially filled with malware now. But I don’t stand a chance at drawing the Firefox logo.