Google Tests Video Ads Alongside Search Results

Wednesday, March 26, 2008

Google Tests Video Ads Alongside Search Results

In February, we found out that Google intends to test video ads next to search results and now we can finally see some examples. Digital Inspiration spotted an AT&T ad targeted to the query [phone], but there's also an Intel ad when you search for [laptop]. Google uses plusboxes to show that there's a video ad that complements the text and labels them with messages like: "watch commercial", "watch demonstration", "watch testimonial".

The video ad is triggered only after you click on the message and it's a small 160x140 video that uses the Google Video player. The ads are very short (around 30 seconds) and they end by displaying a clickable URL to the landing page.

Google uses the same visual elements as for the search results and user are already used to previewing YouTube videos by clicking on the small plus sign bellow the snippets. Unlike the video search results, Google doesn't include thumbnails next to video ads, but this may change in the future. Overall, the video ads from Google's search results aren't annoying, they must be explicitly selected and they offer more details that couldn't be included in the short text ad.

Labels: Ads

6 comments ( Post a comment )

Paul said on March 26, 2008 4:29 AM PDT:

The only problem that I have with video adds is that they are boring, in my mind, marketing has to grab the client within 10 seconds or it fails, just a thought!

LAXMAN PAPINENI said on March 26, 2008 5:18 AM PDT:

Good move by Google...text adds r boaring.

Google is also working towords wi-fi
http://funandtech.blogspot.com/2008/03/google-backs-white-space-wi-fi.html

Max Payne said on March 26, 2008 8:49 PM PDT:

Here is a snapshot
image

All About N-Gage

Download-Tipp Blog said on March 28, 2008 1:25 PM PDT:

VideoAds are the future but many Advertisers do not have the possibilities to create VideoAds.
So I am not shure if this could be
stop the Text or Image Ads

Blake Goodwin said on April 11, 2008 12:09 AM PDT:

I think Video Ads are an obvious change and an integral one in the market. If we look at who is searching on the internet and what is really relevant to people it is obvious Video will play an implemental role in this. Obvious and genius move by google. That's why I bought their stock which by the way will go over 1,000 mark my words! Here is the major thing with all of this. Videos can have text, audio, visual, full stimulation of most of the senses. Words are words and I believe I saw a quote back in the day a picture is worth a 1000 words well in my opinion a Video is worth a Million!

John G said on January 14, 2009 1:57 AM PDT:

I find the Video Ads are distracting and irritating when I'm browsing the internet, they don't entice me to look at the actual advertisement. In certain areas of the county where I live the broadband signal fluctuates and the Video Ads slow down the webpage download. From a technical side of things its great how technology has progressed over such a short space of time what will be next interactive Video Ads

What do you think?