The Washington Post reported that Google admitted that it “found that tens of thousands of dollars were spent on ads by Russian agents who aimed to spread disinformation across Google’s many products, which include YouTube, as well as advertising associated with Google search, Gmail, and the company’s DoubleClick ad network.” The October 9, 2017 report entitled “Google uncovers Russian-bought ads on YouTube, Gmail and other platforms” included reason for the investigation:
Google launched an investigation into the matter, as Congress pressed technology companies to determine how Russian operatives used social media, online advertising, and other digital tools to influence the 2016 presidential contest and foment discord in U.S. society.
And also Google admitted that:
Some of the ads, which cost a total of about $100,000, touted Donald Trump, Bernie Sanders and the Green party candidate Jill Stein during the campaign, people familiar with those ads said. Other ads appear to have been aimed at fostering division in United States by promoting anti-immigrant sentiment and racial animosity.
Hardly a surprise given Google’s Internet dominance, but alarming nevertheless!