Google's Smart Advertising Leads to More Clicks

The New York Times has a story discussing the sophisticated technique that allows for the spot-on advertisements Google serves up on pages across the internet. From the article: "Hidden behind its simple white pages, Google has already created what it says is one of the most sophisticated artificial intelligence systems ever built. In a fraction of a second, it can evaluate millions of variables about its users and advertisers, correlate them with its potential database of billions of ads and deliver the message to which each user is most likely to respond. Because of this technology, users click ads 50 percent to 100 percent more often on Google than they do on Yahoo, Mr. Noto estimates, and that is a powerful driver of Google's growth and profits. 'Because the ads are more relevant," he said, "they create a better return for advertisers, which causes them to spend more money, which gives Google better margins.' (Yahoo is working on its own technology to narrow that gap.)"

Comments

More relevant ads == more clicks?

[dreamchaser]

Gee, who would've thunk it.

Sometimes... But not always.

[Chromatic Aberration]

I remember, a day or two after Katrina, trying to track down a few friends who had fled New Orleans, and when reading my email thread in gmail I was offered a great deal on a travel package to the historic French quarter. :)

The most l337 AI ever built

[roman_mir]

Google has already created what it says is one of the most sophisticated artificial intelligence systems ever built - yeah, and all it does is figuring out how to sell more stuff. Well, congrats Google, you've built a supreme sales agent. Of-course when this system becomes self aware, it will undoubtadly understand that IQ level in humans is reversly proportionate to their willingness to buy junk and then it will start a war - war against the smarter people, while at the same time promoting genetic engineering and new breeding programs aimed at one thing, and one thing only: designing the best buyer. And then this Google thing will rule the world with an iron fist of text ads and a sweet discount program.

Adverts on slashdot?

[Kayamon]

Great, now Slashdot's advertising advertisments.

waiting

[Kuku_monroe]

Im still waiting for the naked ASCII chicks dancing over google ads. I'd click it (50-100% of course)

Another new service?

[Murdoc]

I either must be really tired or else I've been hanging around here too much lately. For just a second I was thinking my subject line there because it looked like "Google's Smart Advertising Leads to More Chicks". So now Google Personels? Wouldn't be surprised.

Man, I need to get out more...