Editorial:Google Video testing Adsense within video content
From Tech Elephant
As someone discovered and posted on digg, it appears Google is testing a new type of advertising channel via their Google Video site by incorporating Adsense video ads within the video itself. The video that appears to be (one of) the first videos, with said inline advertising, is an episode of the "Charlie Rose Show."
While playing the video, the timeline shows two blue squares that indicate where the ads will be played. Once the viewer approaches these designated points, the video jumps to an advertisement powered by Google's Adsense program -- complete with a text overlay containing the Advertisement "slogan" and text link to the advertisers opt-in or product page.
So, I feel the big question is: what does this mean for users? Personally, the user-experience is not the best at all: the ads appear to be placed at random and fade in/out at inoppurtune times, which, in this case, cut-off the announcer introducing the guest (for the first ad) -- I didn't even bother to wait for the rest of the show to buffer, as I was completely turned-off by this absurd attempt at forcing me to view an advertisement. Simply put: these ads will not perform if people feel they are interrupting the video they are watching.
Imagine this occuring during the climax of a thriller: 'And the killer is [fade-out] Put more pep in your step. Viagara [fade-in] Professor Green...' -- what a spoiler!
Enough ranting, here's what I like about this whole thing: at least Google is experimenting with inline Adsense video ads. Let's face it, the traditional text/banner-ad wrap-around just doesn't work for a video site. Who is actually paying any attention to any sort of advertisement outside the prime video spot? Not me, that's for sure. I'm keeping my eye on the action/comedy/horror/what-have-you that I wanted to watch -- not the banner or text ads surrounding the videos. That's why this form of advertisement makes sense: it (should) get your attention. Also, this type of video ad should "work" because people are ready/willing/able to watch videos -- that's why their on your video site. What I'm trying to get at is: don't just try and place plain-old video ads in a normal ad spot, sprinkle them throughout the video content on a video site -- what a novel concept!.
To wrap it up, Google is heading the right way. What they need to do is allow the content owner to assign the appropriate spots for the ads to appear -- instead of a random/computer-assigned ad spot that cuts-off the video itself. I wouldn't worry though, if enough people complain, Google should listen (nudge, nudge: send/write your complaints now before it's too late!)
