Google is under fire after it asked influencers to favor the new Pixel mobile devices over rival devices when creating content for followers, 9to5Google reported Friday. Content creators who took screenshots of the demand and posted them on social media Thursday evening were warned that failing to do so would result in their relationship with the brand being terminated.

“If you choose to participate in this program, do you acknowledge that you will be expected to showcase the Google Pixel device instead of competitor mobile devices?” reads a leaked screenshot of the message sent to influencers. “Please note that if it is found that other brands are favored over the Pixel, we will have to terminate the relationship between the brand and the creator.”

CNET was not asked to agree to such terms when reviewing the new Pixel devices – and never would have agreed to them.

Google unveiled its latest Pixel lineup on Tuesday, including the Pixel 9, Pixel 9 Pro, 9 Pro XL and 9 Pro Fold. The phones all feature hardware improvements, a new look and artificial intelligence on board.

Google said in an emailed statement that its influencer program, called TeamPixel, is separate from its testing programs. “The goal of #TeamPixel is to get Pixel devices into the hands of content creators, not press and tech reviewers,” a spokesperson said.

The statement went on to say that Google had “missed the mark” with the wording in its TeamPixel form and that the form had since been removed from the agreement.

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