Google Testing Gadget Ads
Google has started beta testing what have been dubbed “Gadget Ads”. These are AdSense ads that go beyond text or image ads. Gadget ads are widgets that advertisers can create. Widgets are like mini-applications that can run on a publishers site. The idea is that the ads will be much more interesting and engaging that standard ads.
To get an idea what gadgets ads will look like, you can take a look at Google’s Gadget page. Now imagine what an advertiser could do with this type of interactivity. There could be some interesting and creative ads built with this technology.
These ads will come in standard AdSense sizes, and will be available on a CPM or CPC basis. Like usual, there is no word on when these would become available to all publishers.
Even though Google is the clear leader in online advertising, it is great to see them always innovating and trying new things. More options for publishers means more revenue possibilities for publishers.
Found on Niall Kennedy’s blog.
Marti Said,
May 13, 2007 @ 7:34 am
I’m not sure why this would be any better than an interactive Flash ad, however I’m all for those type of advertisement as they provide entertainment to users and are more likely to generate clicks – and income.
Toivo Lainevool Said,
May 13, 2007 @ 10:02 am
Hi Marti,
These would be similar to Flash ads. I guess one reason for the widgets is that they have a lower barrier to entry. You can just write your widget in standard web language instead of needing a Flash editor, and for the user to see it, they don’t need flash installed.