Burger King Google Ad Backfires

Fast food chain Burger King has been criticized by large swathes of the public following a 15-second advert which triggered Google Home devices to read out the ingredients and make-up of a burger.

The ad features an actor who says, “OK Google, what is the Whopper burger?” in an attempt to force the Google Home devices of viewers to navigate to the cholesterol bomb’s Wikipedia page, the Register writes.

While Google was said to have attempted to block Home units from being activated by the video, the spot did reportedly work on some devices, causing them to pull up the Whopper’s Wikipedia page.

In response, users edited the Wikipedia page and included unflattering comments, causing Google Home devices to proclaim the burger was made with “100 percent rat and toenail clippings” when prompted by the video. The page has since been fixed to reflect the correct composition of the Whopper, including its 37 grams of fat and 12 grams of sugar.

The controversy was likely exactly what Burger King had hoped for when it produced the promotional piece. The fast food chain no doubt was well aware that by hijacking the Google Home devices it would upset the public, but also raise awareness about the burger Wikipedia once said was made from “medium-sized child.”

Meanwhile, comments on the UK’s Register website are split over whether Burger King hacked the device or did a masterstroke of marketing using existing technology.

One user of the site said, “Of course, all of those Burger King mentions were preceded by expletives. But hey, as long as people are talking about the brand, right?”