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Google has come under fire for not allowing people to advertise in Welsh.

It has emerged advertisers can use 44 languages on Google Ads - the online advertising platform - including, French, Spanish, German, Filipino, Latvian and Serbian - but Welsh isn't one of them.

Campaign group Cymdeithas yr Iaith Gymraeg tried to advertise on Google Ads, after North Wales Live raised the issue with them and found Welsh was an "unsupported language", sparking anger.

Aled Powell, Deputy Chairman of Cymdeithas yr Iaith's Digital Future Group. said: "After hearing Google was blocking attempts by businesses to advertise in Welsh, Cymdeithas yr Iaith submitted their own advertisement to Google Ads only for it to be refused because it was an unsupported language.

"There simply is no excuse for such anti-Welsh language practices in this day and age.

(Image: Getty Images)

"Google had a turnover of £5.7 billion in the UK alone last year, with income via Google Ads making up over 80% of that figure, so the company cannot claim to not have the resources to support ads in Wales own language.

"The personal data and browsing habits of Internet users in Wales are as valuable to Google as anybody else's and it is scandalous that the company profits from us while at the same time prohibiting us from buying the advertising space ourselves.

"Many people, businesses and non-profit organisations in Wales allow Google to place ads on their websites as a source of revenue, including the local council where I live.

"This raises the question about the practice of placing Google ads on Welsh language websites when Google has a 'no Welsh Policy'.

"Google itself does provide a number of its online products in Welsh and does allow Welsh video adverts on its YouTube service, so this anti-Welsh policy is very disappointing."

It is not the first time Cymdeithas yr Iaith has campaigned for better recognition of the Welsh language.

In January this year, the group picketed train stations including including Bangor, Machynlleth and Aberystwyth, claiming there was a lack of services in Welsh.

Google said it was continuously working to bring Google ads in more languages.

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