Google Video Ads: Google hit, or miss?

Google is rolling out a new ad product today for distribution through its off-site AdSense contextual network: PPC video ads.

Google is portraying the new ad product as the latest revolutionary way that Google is leveling the playing field for small businesses, according to the NYT:

A large percentage of video ads will come from small advertisers," said Gokul Rajaram, a director of product management at Google. "A small resort owner in Maui probably already has video of their great beachfront property. Now they can put it in an ad and reach a qualified set of users.

Google has also characterized its offline ad distribution attempts as enabling systems for small businesses. Its print ad auction targeting small businesses, however, was not a success and little is known about its radio ad distribution strategy with DMarc Broadcasting. See “Google’s offline forays”

Michael Arrington concludes, “like Google’s Click To Call experiment where people could click a button and call a business from their computer (making their home phone ring), this will fade quietly into the background.”

Would you click on a Google video ad? Join the conversation: "Talk Back" below and share your thoughts.