AdSense Introduces Expanding Ads

By Frank Reed on March 5, 2009

AdSense Introduces Expanding Ads

Google is introducing new and improved expandable ads to AdSense. In an attempt to breathe life into a expandable_ad faltering advertising environment Google now allows expandable ads to be used but not in the way that makes most users want to eliminate them all together.

Over at VentureBeat there is a quick synopsis of this new Google attempt at making money off their core business. Who can blame them? As soon as I read the article which reminded me of the ridiculously annoying ads that show up on some sites (ESPN was a prime offender at one point) I figured that even Google had jumped the shark.

Not the case though because these ads will only expand if clicked on so while not ideal because you are still another click away from your destination at least they don’t show up and make it impossible to read anything. The same CPC (cost per click) and CPM (cost per impression) model is in play.

The Google AdSense blog clearly outlines the details of this offering and makes it obvious that they are looking to make these more ‘visible’ ad options as unobnoxious as possible. One of the biggest concerns of publishers will be the impact on the user experience of their readers. Google takes that head on saying

In order to protect the publisher and user experience, we’ve created several policies around how expandable ads work:

Ads will expand only after a user clicks and interacts with the ad. Mouseovers or rollovers won’t trigger the ad, in order to prevent accidental expansions.

An expandable ad won’t expand more than double its width or height.

Once expanded, the ad will appear as a layer over the page content so that your content will not be modified or shifted in any way.

The user may close the expanded panel at any time.

All expandable ads must comply with our standard AdWords image ad policies.

So Google is just like everyone else in this day and age. They are willing to try whatever it takes to expand (pun intended) and develop their core business. If this were about anyone but Google this wouldn’t be news now would it? Will this work? As with everything else in this crazy world only time will tell and even then it may mumble.

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12 comments on “AdSense Introduces Expanding Ads”

Andy Beal Says:

March 5th, 2009 at 7:55 am

I can’t think of issues as a publisher, especially as the use has to click in order to see the expansion. As an advertisers, I’m not quite sure why I’d want to use an expanding ad. If the user is motivated enough to click the ad, wouldn’t I want to bring them to a landing page that doesn’t have the restrictions of the expanded ads?
Barbara Ling, Virtual Coach Says:

March 5th, 2009 at 8:35 am

Jump the shark…in association with Google! Love it!

I (for the most part) abandoned Google for things like eBay, Amazon, Clickbank etc. Much higher chance of making money that way (in my experience.

Data points, Barbara

Barbara Ling, Virtual Coach’s last blog post..Mastering the Pullup
Justin Davy Says:

March 5th, 2009 at 9:29 am

I see no problems with this either. It adds additional options to our marketing mix. Or maybe I’m biased because they used one of our ads as the example
CountingCardsBlackjack Says:

March 5th, 2009 at 9:56 am

Sounds good to me, good
Bundeg Magazine Says:

March 5th, 2009 at 1:18 pm

if I an advertiser this should be disadvantages 4 me coz of CPC,..

Bundeg Magazine’s last blog post..By: Google adsense new face – good looking new login page of google adsense | Bundeg Blog Magazine
Jason T Says:

March 5th, 2009 at 1:45 pm

Thanks for the info. I think this is a good add-on. I dont see anything wrong with this.
Nanda Says:

March 5th, 2009 at 3:16 pm

Thank you for this article and information. after I read, I get the benefit

Regard

Nanda’s last blog post..A term on the Megapixel Digital Camera
Some AdSense Ads Can Be As Big As You Want Them | BPWrap Says:

March 5th, 2009 at 3:39 pm

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dan dudas Says:

March 6th, 2009 at 11:22 pm

There are so many different opinions here,I don´t know wich one to believe.For me seems that neither Adsense,nor Clickbank or similar working.I begin to think that all this online business is a big scam.
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