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Google Unveils a Tool to Check If Users Are Looking at Video Ads

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Re: Google Unveils a Tool to Check If Users Are Looking at Video Ads

#21
How about they start producing interesting content (emphasis on interesting) with a bit of product placement inside ?

I don't want to watch 30s of publicity for something I don't like and will never buy (and it could even make hate the brand). But if you insert in the video non obnoxious product placement I can live with it.

Example : I watched a cooking recipe yesterday. The cook emphasized 2 or 3 times the brand of flour he was using and that's it. I understand he needs to make a living (he's a pro, not a home cook) he was not obnoxious about it, I'm OK with that. I even have a more positive view of the brand he was advocating since they are clever about their publicity.

Re: Google Unveils a Tool to Check If Users Are Looking at Video Ads

#22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Install adblock, it blocks youtube video ads too

In particular, Adblock Edge. They claim not to whitelist. I doubt ad blocking is going to work for Youtube much longer, though. If they can detect when you're not actually watching, what's to stop them from just not letting you watch the video if you refuse to watch at least two seconds of the ad? "Mohan said the goal is to make sure that advertisers’ video spots run for at least two seconds while covering at least 5…

I am sure someone else, if not adblock, would come with something new to beat this new system too.

Re: Google Unveils a Tool to Check If Users Are Looking at Video Ads

#23

How about they start producing interesting content (emphasis on interesting) with a bit of product placement inside ? I don't want to watch 30s of publicity for something I don't like and will never buy (and it could even make hate the brand). But if you insert in the video non obnoxious product placement I can live with it. Example : I watched a cooking recipe yesterday. The cook emphasized 2 or 3 times the brand of…

The problem with that, and "native" advertising in general is that it's a form of affiliate marketing, where the brand has little to no control over how obnoxious and spammed the delivery will be.

Not to mention the fact that brand advertisers are really picky on where they are being promoted. They're dipping their toes in real time bidding platforms, but that's a whole different beast to tackle.

Re: Google Unveils a Tool to Check If Users Are Looking at Video Ads

#24
Seems to be attacking the wrong issue.

Love it or loath it, AdWords does seem to actually work. I usually get a fairly high percentage of advertising targetted towards my interests. The most common way it goes wrong is when it continues to show me adverts for something I've already purchased.

But video ads? I get: A lot of adverts for trading platforms. I have no idea why. A lot of french adverts at work - because our connection surfaces there. However, I'm logged into my account, in English, I see no reason it shouldn't know better.

Youtube seems to have perfected the art of showing me adverts I'm not, and will never be interested in. Whether they have my attention or not is irrelevant.

Re: Google Unveils a Tool to Check If Users Are Looking at Video Ads

#27

How about they start producing interesting content (emphasis on interesting) with a bit of product placement inside ? I don't want to watch 30s of publicity for something I don't like and will never buy (and it could even make hate the brand). But if you insert in the video non obnoxious product placement I can live with it. Example : I watched a cooking recipe yesterday. The cook emphasized 2 or 3 times the brand of…

If the cook discloses he is paid to promote a given brand, I'm ok with it - otherwise, it makes me second guess every suggestion the cook makes.

Re: Google Unveils a Tool to Check If Users Are Looking at Video Ads

#28

Thank god for Minitube [1] and youtube-dl [2] . youtube-dl can download videos from not only YouTube, but over 500 different services. [1] http://flavio.tordini.org/minitube [2] https://rg3.github.io/youtube-dl/

Install adblock, it blocks youtube video ads too

4OD, channel 4's on demand service in the UK, now detects if you're running adblock and prevents you from playing the video unless you disable it.

This will soon be common to all as based services.

Re: Google Unveils a Tool to Check If Users Are Looking at Video Ads

#29

How about they start producing interesting content (emphasis on interesting) with a bit of product placement inside ? I don't want to watch 30s of publicity for something I don't like and will never buy (and it could even make hate the brand). But if you insert in the video non obnoxious product placement I can live with it. Example : I watched a cooking recipe yesterday. The cook emphasized 2 or 3 times the brand of…

I want clear demarkation between ads and content.

What you suggest is not allowed under UK advertising rules. See for example the Oreo Lick Challenge which got some YouTubers in trouble with Advertising Standards authority, even though most of the youtubers had descriptions saying the content was sponsored.

http://www.theguardian.com/media/2014/nov/26/youtube-ad-oreo...

Re: Google Unveils a Tool to Check If Users Are Looking at Video Ads

#30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Install adblock, it blocks youtube video ads too

4OD, channel 4's on demand service in the UK, now detects if you're running adblock and prevents you from playing the video unless you disable it. This will soon be common to all as based services.

I am pretty sure this option was available for a long time. It would be common already if companies went to take that path
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