The search engine has announced that it is implementing a badge in the United States that will identify businesses run by African Americans, in order to make themselves "more inclusive". An initiative that divides.
In support of the Black Lives Matter movement, Google US has decided to create a new tool (called "Black owned") that allows companies to identify themselves as owned or managed by African Americans, can we read on the site The Verge. One way, according to the search engine, to engage with the black community and encourage consumers to revive the economy during a period of confinement, read in a press release from the multinational. The platform also announces that it has entered into a partnership with the U.S Black Chambers, an organization of "145 black chambers of commerce and 326,000 members across the country".
A small black heart on a red background can therefore be seen during a Google search or on Google Map. This small pictogram is introduced when the manager of an establishment has identified himself as Black with the American firm. Google will ask companies to go through a verification process by mail, phone or email, explains The Obs. The internet giant had already developed a similar idea in 2018. A logo could indicate that the business is LGBTQ + friendly or led by women, recalls BFMTV.
The birth of "Black Owned" stems from an increase in online searches for black-owned businesses. The objective is to spend money in these places and thus support them financially in a more than difficult climate. More than 2.5 million requests were made for these companies between May 25 and July 10, according to The Verge.
For or against?
A real debate was launched on Twitter following this news, especially in France. Some find the idea interesting for an economic plan towards the community and others speak of "racism". Here is an anthology of opinions: