Anti-Asian Online Hate Speech On The Rise - And Major U.S. Brands Are Inadvertently Funding

Rhea-AI Summary

The newly released Hope And Action report by Nielsen reveals a 145% surge in hate crimes against the Asian American community since the COVID-19 pandemic began. Despite efforts from U.S. brands to combat racism, many are unintentionally funding anti-Asian hate speech through digital ads, with $153 million spent on platforms hosting such content. The report identifies over 250 ad campaigns linked to anti-Asian rhetoric. Nielsen emphasizes the need for brands to reassess their advertising strategies to avoid supporting hate speech and ensure brand safety.

Positive

• Nielsen's report highlights the urgency for brands to take action against funding online hate speech.
• The study employs AI to provide insights into digital advertising's impact on hate speech.

Negative

• $153 million was spent on digital ads linked to anti-Asian hate speech in Q1 2021.
• Despite efforts to combat racism, significant ad revenue is tied to content promoting hate.

NEW YORK, May 13, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Asian American community has experienced a 145% increase in hate crimes; with incidents ranging from verbal harassment to deadly assaults. Despite widespread condemnation of these acts, Nielsen's newly published Asian American Diverse Intelligence Series report, Hope And Action, found that anti-Asian hate speech online actually increased in the beginning of this year. And while many major U.S. brands have taken action to combat racism targeting Asian Americans, some of these same companies are also unintentionally funding online hate speech through their advertising. From January - March 2021, $153 million was spent on digital ads on U.S.-based URLs that have published content with anti-Asian rhetoric. The top ad categories monetizing this hate speech included TV stations and networks ($29.7 million ad spend), department stores ($6 million), apparel ($4.1 million), miscellaneous retail ($3.9 million), travel ($629K), and arms and ammunition ($122K).

The Nielsen study, which incorporated the use of artificial intelligence, found more than 250 ad campaigns appearing on 1,280 website URLs that featured the use of racist terminology and conspiracies related to coronavirus origins, Asians and China. Once the offensive content was isolated, over 5,000 ad occurrences were identified. Ad campaigns from a dozen Fortune 500 companies and at least 66 brands were found adjacent to content that included anti-Asian hate speech. 

Ad-supported anti-Asian hate speech in digital content
From news reporting to op-eds, incendiary terms (e.g., "China virus," "Wuhan plague") and subjective language connecting blame for the pandemic to Chinese and Asian people has been pervasive across digital content. Nielsen also found that certain key words and phrases have actually increased this year as the U.S. approached the one year anniversary of national lockdown orders in March. News sites that published articles flagged as including anti-Asian hate speech were visited by 38.1 million people during Q1 2021.

Nearly one-third of the hate speech in March 2021 came from one site. This one domain collected in excess of $100,000 in digital ad revenue from three top advertising categories: department stores, miscellaneous organization and apparel, footwear and accessory stores.

What brands can do right now
Nielsen's findings highlight an opportunity for brands to take action against funding hate speech online. Companies and their advertising partners are urged to be in constant review as language emerges that is harmful to the Asian American community — and to their brand. Additionally, ad servers must consider how changes in rhetoric can be reflected in their algorithms.

"As consumers are demanding more from brands and businesses, corporate social responsibility is now about brand safety," said Jay Dennis, Nielsen EVP, Advertisers and Industries. "Nielsen is excited to bring new products and metrics to marketers so that brands can make better decisions to support content that is inclusive and representative, and to avoid placing content adjacent to hate speech."

About the Asian American community
With a population of 18.9 million, Asian Americans are the fastest-growing racial or ethnic group in the United States. Since 2000, the Asian American population has increased in all 50 states as well as the District of Columbia. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the percentage of anti-Asian hate crimes has surged 145% nationally (2020 vs. 2019), according to the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism. These incidents have also risen to alarming rates in such cities as: New York (833%), Philadelphia (200%), Cleveland (200%), San Jose (150%), Boston (133%) and Los Angeles (114%). 

"In this evolving digital media landscape and as consumers demand more accountability, brands need to be increasingly diligent about the kinds of platforms their ads appear on and the types of content they support; whether it's directly or inadvertently," stated Patricia Ratulangi, Nielsen VP, Global Communications, Diversity Equity & Inclusion. "Companies need to ensure their advertising dollars aren't fueling anti-Asian sentiment online, which puts Asian American communities at risk."

"Corporate accountability is more essential than ever to Asian Americans," said Connie Chung Joe, CEO of Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Los Angeles. "While it's certainly not easy, brands will need to take a more conscientious approach towards their digital advertising spending if they want to truly stand with this community. The connection between online hate speech and hate crimes in real life is undeniable."

For additional information, visit Offering Hope, Not Funding Hate. Join the discussion on Facebook (Nielsen Community) and follow us on Twitter (@NielsenKnows).

ABOUT THE NIELSEN DIVERSE INTELLIGENCE SERIES
In 2011, Nielsen launched the Diverse Intelligence Series, a robust portfolio of comprehensive reports that focus solely on diverse consumers' unique consumption and purchasing habits. The series has become an industry resource to help brands better understand and reach ethnic customers.

ABOUT NIELSEN
Nielsen Holdings plc (NYSE: NLSN) is a leading global data and analytics company that provides a holistic and objective understanding of the media industry. With offerings spanning audience measurement, audience outcomes and content, Nielsen offers its clients and partners simple solutions to complex questions and optimizes the value of their investments and growth strategies. It is the only company that can offer de-duplicated cross-media audience measurement. Audience is Everything^TM to Nielsen and its clients, and Nielsen is committed to ensuring that every voice counts.

An S&P 500 company, Nielsen offers measurement and analytics service in nearly 60 countries. Learn more at www.nielsen.com or www.nielsen.com/investors and connect with us on twitter.com/Nielsen, linkedin.com/company/nielsen, facebook.com/Nielsen and instagram.com/lifeatnielsen.

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SOURCE Nielsen

FAQ

What did Nielsen's report on anti-Asian hate speech reveal?

Nielsen's report found a 145% increase in hate crimes against the Asian American community and highlighted significant ad spend on platforms that promote hate speech.

How much was spent on ads linked to anti-Asian hate speech from January to March 2021?

$153 million was spent on digital ads linked to anti-Asian rhetoric during that period.

What actions can brands take according to Nielsen's findings?

Brands are urged to constantly review content adjacency and ensure their advertising does not inadvertently support hate speech.

What percentage of hate crimes against Asian Americans has increased since the pandemic?

Hate crimes against Asian Americans have surged by 145% since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

How many ad campaigns were identified as associated with hate speech?

The report identified over 250 ad campaigns that appeared on websites featuring anti-Asian hate speech.