Connecting Filipinos to Credible Election Information
As the 2025 midterm elections approach, more Filipinos are turning to online platforms like Google and YouTube to find trustworthy election information. Recognizing this growing trend, both platforms are stepping up efforts to help voters access reliable and clear details about candidates and voting procedures. This focus on providing accurate content is part of a broader commitment to support an informed electorate during the election season.
When users search for 2025 senatorial candidates on YouTube, an information panel appears above the search results. This panel offers quick facts such as the candidate’s political party affiliation and includes a link to Google Search for more in-depth information. On Election Day itself, YouTube will feature a dedicated section on its homepage showcasing live broadcasts from credible news organizations. These streams will be available in both English and Filipino, allowing viewers to follow election updates and results as they happen.
Tools to Educate and Guide Voters
Starting May 12, the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) “How to vote” playlist will be promoted heavily on YouTube. This playlist offers clear and accessible information about voting requirements and step-by-step instructions to help Filipinos cast their ballots confidently. Meanwhile, Google’s Search ranking system prioritizes authoritative election-related content, ensuring that users encounter trustworthy sources first when looking up election details.
Safeguarding Platforms from Misinformation and Abuse
Protecting the integrity of the elections also means preventing misuse of Google and YouTube’s platforms. Both have strict policies that apply to all content, regardless of language or political viewpoint. YouTube’s Community Guidelines prohibit content that misleads voters, incites violence, promotes hatred, or spreads harmful conspiracy theories. Content that threatens election workers or encourages interference in the democratic process is swiftly removed. According to recent reports, the Philippines ranked eighth globally for the number of videos taken down for policy violations between October and December 2024, with over 153,000 removals. Channels that repeatedly violate these rules risk termination.
Helping Users Identify AI-Generated Content
As AI-generated content becomes more common, Google and YouTube have added tools to help users recognize and evaluate such material. On YouTube, creators must disclose if their videos contain altered or synthetic content. When this occurs, a label appears beneath the video description and directly on the video player for election-related content. These disclosures help viewers understand the nature of what they are watching, regardless of who made the video or their political stance.
Additionally, Google Search offers an “About this Image” feature that provides users with background and credibility information about images found online. The Gemini double-check function cross-references content across the web to verify accuracy. Google is also embedding digital watermarks in AI-generated images using DeepMind’s SynthID technology, ensuring transparency about image origins.
Collaborating for Transparency and Media Literacy
Google and YouTube have joined a global coalition known as C2PA to support transparency standards for AI-generated content. This collaboration brings metadata standards to advertising, Search, and YouTube, helping users better understand the source and nature of information. Moreover, Google runs AI Workshops for media organizations, empowering journalists and editors to responsibly use AI tools in election coverage.
Beyond technology, Google supports media literacy programs in the Philippines, partnering with organizations like CANVAS to produce the YOUTHink magazine. This publication educates young readers in multiple local languages, including Filipino, Cebuano, and Ilocano, on how to identify credible information online.
Working Closely with Election Authorities
Google also collaborates directly with COMELEC through specialized training workshops. These sessions provide election officials with knowledge on protecting online platforms during elections and using reporting tools to flag inappropriate content. This partnership enhances COMELEC’s ability to work with YouTube in monitoring and responding to policy violations swiftly.
Sources familiar with the matter emphasized the importance of these efforts. One stated, “Supporting the elections is important to Google and YouTube. As Filipinos prepare for the May 12 elections, we are committed to robust collaboration with the government, industry, media, and civil society. Together, we will help ensure that voters have access to authoritative information and safeguard our platforms from abuse.” Another community leader added, “A well-informed electorate is fundamental to COMELEC’s mission for credible elections. We thank and commend Google for their continued, valuable contributions in ensuring Filipinos have accessible and reliable election information online, empowering them to make informed choices for the midterm elections.”
Through these combined efforts, Filipinos can expect more accessible, trustworthy election information and safer online spaces during the 2025 midterm elections.
For more news and updates on credible election information, visit Filipinokami.com.