Anita Davis
Dec 12, 2008

CCTV targets new search engines

BEIJING - One month after a CCTV report caused a backlash - and a potential mass lawsuit - against Baidu after it was found to have included unlicensed medical companies among its top search positions, the television network has released a second report citing several other search engines in China of committing the same act.

CCTV targets new search engines
According to Chinese reports, following CCTV’s initial broadcast in November, the State Food and Drug Administration had issued a watch-list of 23 websites that sell fraudulent medicine. Yet a second investigation aired by CCTV Thursday found these sites can still be found on search-results pages from engines including Google China and Yahoo China.

The report notes that the websites can be found on the engines’ search pages and among their sponsored links.

The initial news prompted Baidu to launch an ad platform that separates its list of paid links from its general search listings. However, the effort has not stopped a group of lawyers from pursuing a mass-litigation suit against the engine, which may bring up claims by Baidu users who have purchased products from these fraudulent medical sites.

Source:
Campaign China

Related Articles

Just Published

5 hours ago

Google cuts 200 jobs in a core business unit

The redundancies are in a department responsible for sales and partnerships and part of a broader cost-cutting move as Google invests $75 billion in AI and data centres.

6 hours ago

Why sports marketing should lean into intimate, ...

In a world shaped by Gen Z and hyper-local engagement, the winning brands aren’t the loudest—they’re the ones that create authentic experiences that foster belonging and build trust.

6 hours ago

Is AI financially beneficial for agencies?

AI promises speed, efficiency—and fewer billable hours. So why are ad agencies investing millions in a tool that threatens their bottom line? Campaign Red digs into the tension between progress and profit.

7 hours ago

How Want Want cracked Japan’s competitive confection...

Campaign speaks to Tony Chang of the iconic Taiwanese food brand to learn about the brand’s strategy in penetrating the Japanese market, and the challenges of localisation.