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Graphics Coming to Google Ads
Firmafest writes "New York Times reports that "Users of Google's search engine will soon see something they are not used to on the notoriously spare site: advertising with logos and graphics. And the advertisers will not be limited to America Online, whose talks with Google prompted the change in policy, according to two executives close to the companies' negotiations." The Financial Times has more on the partnership" CT: Sorry folks. My email is broken this morning and i'm not getting error reports.
-Eric
SJW: Someone who has run out of real oppression, and has to fake it.
What ever happened to 'Don't be Evil' ?
The days of the digital watch are numbered.
https://addons.mozilla.org/extensions/moreinfo.php ?id=10&application=firefox
Not too much of a surprise, but considering the lack of 'tacky' advertising was what seemed to have led a lot of people to Google (as opposed to staying with Yahoo) ... I have to wonder if it is really the best move.
... but we'll all take it in stride, since we have no other choice, I guess...
Financially, it's a good move. They get a lot of traffic, it's good money.
Socially, perhaps not such a wise choice.
MoM++ - A Classic Expanded - [Master of Magic 1.5]
http://mompp.sourceforge.net/
I do hope that whatever Google does about displaying logos, images, etc, they do not sacrifice the decent speed the search engine has right now. I'd hate for Google to turn into another site that has good information but that stupid image from doubleclick has to load before you can see any of it.
whats google?
Slashdot...home of the hackers
Maybe time to find a new search engine. Anyone any suggestions?
Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups.
Google is preparing an opening for a competitor.
At least it appears that the graphics they'll be using will be limited in scope. Hopefully this isn't a precursor to flash ads and animated gifs. The day they start using pop-over flash ads is the first day of Google's demise.
Is that they are started on that slippery slope. The reason we all think that they are so cool is the lack of graphics. I remember the other search engines going down this same route.. anyone remember alta-vista ? Same thing. HotMail was ok until MS took it over. This is bad. This is the beginning of the end. Someone once said that AOL would mark the downfall of the internet if they were allowed onto it. Hmmmm sign of the times ?
I have mod points and I am not afraid to use them.
It should also be added that any policy change that comes from meeting with America Online... well, God only knows what other horrors have been unleashed.
I'd say it's downright Lovecraftian, but that might be a little melodramatic.
MoM++ - A Classic Expanded - [Master of Magic 1.5]
http://mompp.sourceforge.net/
I read here that the graphical ads are just for people who use adsense, and not for the main page. (from the site, "I sent an email to the Google Adsense support team and 'Jim' tells me that the beta is for the content network only.")
In any case, if it _is_ for google too, this could easily make me use another search engine if it's at all obtrusive. One of the few reasons I use google is because it's simple, so it's quick to load and easier to find what you're actually looking for.
Google, by going public now has to deal with the investors. They want to see cash flow increases every quarter. So, to continue revenue increases they will continuously be attempting to increase ad revenue.
Search on Windows - 10 results and 50 million ads. "Hi, have you thought about double pane windows for your home?"
Search on Linux - "Hi, have you thought about fuzzy penguin slippers for Christmas?"
Search on Cars - "Test drive the new Ford 150 today! Print this google ad and we'll give you a gallon of free gasoline"
Search on Slashdot - "Xerox - for when you want to make your own dupes"
Google has been quite adept at keeping themselves distanced from obvious corporate sponsorship. Their advertising model has been refreshing, with ad space sold very democratically. In addition, their decision to keep advertising to simple text has made using their search engine, even with advertisements, pleasurable to use.
I do not understand the need to partner with AOL, except that AOL perhaps brings in quite a bit of advertising revenue. The downside, though, is obvious. Google has lost their independence and is slowly succumbing to AOL's wishes. First is image advertisements.
I wonder what the general consensus at Google is about this latest deal. Perhaps they don't expect to lose users when the new ads arrive, or maybe they are strapped for cash and AOL's money is bailing them out. I don't know, but I do know that I don't like AOL, and I don't like image advertisements. It's why I have Adblock installed and why I don't frequent certain other sites anymore.
This is a big mistake, I think. In a long-term business sense, I simply don't see what could possibly be so attractive. Then again, I haven't seen the check that AOL used to buy Google's soul. It may have been worth it.
Jesus saved me from my past. He can save you as well.
Google: widely respected and quite profitable.
AOL: being bought out, and gets exactly the respect it deserves.
[closed captioning for the humor impaired: sarcasm to follow]
Obviously Google should be taking AOL's advice about how to finally achieve some real success, right?
[end sarcasm]
The universe is a figment of its own imagination.
BTW, get Adblock here: http://adblock.mozdev.org/
"I hate to advocate drugs, alcohol, violence or insanity but they've always worked for me" - HST
MSN Search has only text ads. Sure, it is MS, but the new engine is actually pretty accurate and has useful features like encarta integration.
Yahoo! search also has no image-based ads. Funny how people are constantly bashing Yahoo!, and now Google is going to have image ads on it's search, where Yahoo! removed them a long time ago.
It's called a free market, we wil see how it plays out. If Google alienates their customers, they will migrate elsewhere.
It was as if a Million Geeks cried out in terror and then were silenced.
If you don't vote, you don't matter, so don't waste your time telling me your opinion
The glorious sounds of the plump woman vocalizing.
This is not the greatest sig in the world, this is just a tribute.
Honestly, it looks to me that Google has jumped the shark. Google now reminds me of just about every other company during the DotCom bubble burst.
Don't get me wrong -- I'm glad Google is around. They're providing some much needed competition in the web area, but I fear that things are going to get much worse before they get better.
Google has a lot of great technologies, but all of their income comes from advertising. So if they want to expand, and maintain free services, their only option is basically to ramp up their advertising. Whether they can do that without annoying their users remains to be seen.
Titus Barik
They do. I've had them blocked since the "Download Ep3 here!" and "Get your free PS3" ads. If it's not IFRAME's, then it's script tags with an external source. Either way, it's blockable with AdBlock.
Images is the path to the dark side!! Sooner than you think, Google will partner with Gator and you'll see Bonzi Buddy dancing in your desktop!!
You mean you haven't heard of Flashblock? (Install it from here.)
It does exactly what you want—blocks all Flash with a box with a Play button on it, which you can click if you want to allow that Flash object to play.
. . . to start collecting Google CDs! I just hope they do no evil and use those easy to remove address stickers on the DVD case mailings.
Image Adblockers are history.
If this is the case (which I don't believe it is) then i will disable all images. They're generally just eye candy anyway, and any site that uses them for navigation with leaving an ALT caption doesn't deserve my attention.