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If I’m not mistaken, it’s illegal in the US to place advertisements alongside content without distinguishing them. I don’t see a marker in the screenshot; is th

• paxys 2y ago
  The article calls them ads, but in the linked blog post Microsoft only calls them "recommended apps". There's a difference between the two, and the latter doesn't have to be marked as sponsored if Microsoft is coming up with the recommendation themselves.
  • justinclift 2y ago
    Sounds like a "difference" that needs testing in court. :)
  • sedatk 2y ago
    Every ad is a recommended product. I don’t see why the distinction matters.
    • paxys 2y ago
      The distinction matters when the advertiser is paying for the slot. Do you not see a difference between sponsored results in Google search that came via paid ads and the rest of the top results that came via their own algorithm?
      • sedatk 2y ago
        Your use of the word “algorithm” carries a heavy load there. What’s that algorithm? How do we know paid ads aren’t prioritized or monetized there? Where’s Microsoft’s promise on clear distinction for paid ads? Why does The Verge and Engadget call them “effectively ads”? What do you know that they don’t know?
        • paxys 2y ago
          Both of them are reporting on the same blog post, which you can read yourself.
          • sedatk 2y ago
            Not an answer to any of my questions.
• TiredOfLife 2y ago
  Unless The Verge has updated the screenshot, they are in a clearly marked section Recommended