From the outside of #TeamPixel, looking in:

As someone who's been a part of TeamPixel for many years, and still currently is, I've never been obligated or forced to say anything positive about them. The only requirement is to add two hashtags and to tag them to a post if they do so happen to invite me to one of their Google events. And even if I'm there, I'm not even required to post anything if I don't want to. The hashtags includes #teampixel #giftfromgoogle and just to tag Google in the post (Instagram or X). That's it. Even being part of TeamPixel, I've made plenty of controversial videos that if I was obligated to be exclusive to them I would've never made. But I'm not a biased creator and I like to keep it real. Here are the controversial videos: De-Googling Any Android Phone: Get Those Pixel Exclusive Features on Any Android: Plus, I've done many reviews and comparisons of other Non-Pixel devices as well. Now, the difference is if they sponsor a video. Just like any other brand they can choose to sponsor a future video. And in those cases you need to be more direct and say "Sponsored by Google Pixel" at the very beginning. But even when they sponsor a video they just tell you a topic to talk about like the newest Pixel buds or Pixel phones and from there they give you freedom to give your honest opinions on those devices even if you provide feedback to them within the video. The only thing you can't do is show any competitors IN THAT VIDEO. After that video is pushed, I can continue to make future videos reviewing other phones, talk about other gadgets, and still be a part of TeamPixel. So in the end, I've never had a problem with TeamPixel. Never been forced to be biased for them. Still have creative freedom. And have and still worked with plenty of other smartphone companies outside of them including Samsung, OPPO, Nothing, OnePlus, etc. Hope this clears up some confusion 😄

They have never had this type of agreement before. They would basically just send it to you early and they would want you to disclose using their hashtags that it was a gift. This year that has changed and unless they change something, I’ll no longer be part of #teampixel

Also says a lot about the device if they need to have this program at all. You dont see Apple having a program like that

Marques, do you want to chat with one of the earliest #TeamPixel tech reviewers? They'd invited me waaaay back in 2017 and I've been on board since. The new details that emerged yesterday are completely different than previous models.

I'm glad it seems like previous requirements have never included mandated coverage, and that it has never been a paid program. Weirdly that blurs the line even more - what is the point of #TeamPixel exactly? Just to get influencers using the hashtag and getting people "on their team?" and all of the implications that come with that Now the apparently new requirements are more strict about being positive. The fact that it was always separate from the reviews program has allowed them to do this

Imagine forcing tech reviewers to be biased to be in 🤦

Perfectly fine: Lifestyle & fashion people posting the design, after joining “Team Pixel.” Not fine at all: “Tech reviewers” supposed to “review” products posting falsely positive coverage (blatant ads). All press is good press anyway, now Google is the talk of the community.

Well said 🙌🏼 will take your advice ✅

As someone who was a part of team pixel for many years, there was never an obligation to say anything positive. The only obligation was to say #AGiftFromGoogle but beyond that there was no expectation of me saying anything positive or using a pixel as my only device.

The worst affected folks are the audience. They won't even know whom to trust and whom not to. For smaller creators, they want to be in the good books of hand to get their content creation journey started. I have personally seen creators taking who try hard to please a brand. But I don't think it will work in the longer run. Dynamics are changing and audiences are more mature now.