Google Pixel

The Verge has independently confirmed leaked screenshots of the clause in this year’s Team Pixel agreement for the new Pixel phones, which began circulating on X and Threads last night. The agreement tells influencers they’re “expected to feature the Google Pixel device in place of any competitor mobile devices.” It also notes that “if it appears other brands are being preferred over the Pixel, we will need to cease the relationship between the brand and the creator.” The link to the form appears to have since been shut down.

When asked, Google communications manager Kayla Geier told The Verge that “#TeamPixel is a distinct program, separate from our press and creator reviews programs. The goal of #TeamPixel is to get Pixel devices into the hands of content creators, not press and tech reviewers. We missed the mark with this new language that appeared in the #TeamPixel form yesterday, and it has been removed.”

So then what is Team Pixel, exactly? Officially, it’s a program handled by PR agency 1000Heads that seeds early units to influencers and superfans to drum up interest as brand ambassadors. While Google partners with 1000Heads, it doesn’t directly run the program, and there are distinct differences with the traditional reviews program, For example, journalists and influencers in the official reviews program often get briefed and given products under embargo before or during an event. Team Pixel participants get the devices shortly after launch, but before the public — all in exchange for some coverage on social media. For smaller creators, this can be a big leg up in terms of access.