You must have known it was only a matter of time. After all, we are not google's customers. Their advertisers are their customers. If you are getting something for free, you're not the customer, you're the product. 
Ads won't matter to me as I use Pi-Hole that blocks them.
Expecting the 'slippery slope', I don't use GA. For the HE/Chromecast integration, I keep the mic switched off and the speakers have their own email account. The ten or so Alexa products are used 99% for voice control, timers, and reminders. I off-loaded the repeat reminder to HE using bptworld's Notifier Plus.
Knew Apple was the only solution.
This is happening on Android TV too.
Time to slowly get ready for Apple Homepods.
Yup, saw that. Here's a link for anyone reading along at home:
I don't trust anyone; not Apple, not IFTTT. Amazon has already spot-tested the Alexa ads about 18 months ago, and quickly killed them due to the backlash. Still, I think you should always be thinking about how to leave them (Mycroft, STT). Or, if you can't leave them, how to gut the ads (PI-hole).
Hey Google, Turn on the family room lights.....
Response: Sure, turning on the family room light... This action was brought to you by {insert company name} where you can purchase {insert item} at a discounted rate of $.... with coupon code {....}. Offer expires xx/xx/xxxx.
It's only a matter of time.
If strangers want to subsidize my hotel room by buying $3 candy bars from their hotel room mini-fridge, that's fine with me. The same is going on in household electronics.
