Google Ventures in Online Video Ads for AdSense

Google Inc. will begin distributing online video ads later this week, diversifying beyond the static text ad messages that generate most of its profits today.

Video ads, announced late Monday, will affect thousands of Web sites that rely on Google AdSense to post contextual ads on a web page.

The video ads can last for as long as two minutes.

Google isn’t allowing the video ads to appear on its own search site yet.

Google’s shares gained 93 cents Monday to close at $370.95 on the Nasdaq Stock Market.

“A certain segment of advertisers have told us that they want richer and more engaging messaging capability,” said Gokul Rajaram, product management director of Google’s AdSense program. via Yahoo News

Google video ads will display graphics promoting video ads. It won’t be played unless a viewer clicks on a play button. I think this will lead to more qualified leads. I hope Google gives higher CTR for these ads.