|
Microsoft researchers are working on ways to make web advertising even smarter. They want to teach computers to do a more accurate job of targeting ads, by specifying which to put into video clips, and those for more specific users. They demonstrated the techniques at their headquarters this week. The timing may be an intentional effort to boost their bid for Yahoo which, if successful, would make Microsoft the second biggest Internet ad seller behind Google. (Source: informationweek.com)
The demonstration included a 'dashboard' which advertisers can use to predict how well particular keyword advertising will work. The firm is also working on new ways to buy advertising based around a general theme rather than specific keywords. However, Microsoft says such adverts, which respond to terms that users search for, are not the only way web advertising can work. They say such keyword advertising is only so popular because of the success of Google. A spokesman made the rather spectacular claim that "we are developing advertising algorithms that can anticipate and understand consumer behavior faster than the speed of thought". (Source: foxbusiness.com) Some of the new techniques they showed off included software that can analyse a web video and find the least intrusive place to display an advertiser's logo (similar to the way TV companies superimpose their channel logo during a broadcast). Another demonstration involved a computer using voice recognition to 'hear' what is said during a video and provide appropriate text links to adverts. Microsoft is also working on a new touch screen system to make an interactive shopping kiosk, complete with adverts and 'virtual' coupons. Another scheme would allow advertisers more control over avoiding advertising on sites which disparage their products or might link them to offensive content. If Microsoft can produce genuinely better ways to target consumers with relevant ads, that's a winner for everyone. Advertisers get their message across efficiently, consumers get information on products they will find useful, and Microsoft rake in the cash. However, if the new-wave ads are so obtrusive that they spoil the user's 'online experience', the developments could backfire.
-- Related newsletter articles:
2008/01/14 Writer Strike Great News For YouTube (video)
2007/12/20 Web Experts Warn of Internet 'Exaflood' (video)
2008/01/15 Microsoft Faces (Another) Euro-probe (microsoft)
2008/01/03 Google Merger to Usurp Control of Internet Ad Market Worldwide (advertising)
2008/02/07 Will Yahoo Help Microsoft Slay the Google Monster? (advertising)
2008/02/05 Microsoft Yoohoo for Yahoo! (microsoft)
2008/02/01 Microsoft Becomes Exclusive Ad Provider for The ... (advertising)
2008/02/01 Google Sour on 'Domain Tasters' (advertising)
2008/01/24 Google Faces EU Over DoubleClick Merger (advertising)
2007/12/19 Microsoft Updates Hinder More than Help (microsoft)
2008/01/11 Microsoft Mulls Future of HD (microsoft)
2008/01/09 Gates Waves Goodbye at Consumer Electronics Show (microsoft)
2008/01/17 Microsoft Taking Steady Steps with Zune (microsoft)
2008/01/25 First Vista Update Already Imminent (microsoft)
2007/12/18 Microsoft Soaks Up CNBC.com (microsoft)
-- Recent articles (from all channels): 2008/05/13 Today in History: for Tuesday, May 13, 2008
2008/05/13 [ShellX 20080513]: 'Drive Spacio', and 'Youtube Batch Downloader'
2008/05/13 Congressman Calls For Second Life Ban In Schools
2008/05/13 Trying to Exit MS Excel 2007
2008/05/13 Problems Reported With Windows XP SP3
2008/05/12 [ShellX 20080512]: 'Remote Manager', and 'Cyber Bandwidth ...
2008/05/12 Video Gaming Trade Group Struggling
2008/05/12 T-Mobile Finally Joins 3G Phone Race
2008/05/12 Apple Slammed by Environment Watchdog
2008/05/09 [ShellX 20080509]: 'Advanced Run', and 'Diver Windows Manager'
2008/05/09 Texas Refuses Facebook Friend Request
2008/05/09 Photo-Enforcement Technology Replaces Officers On Patrol
2008/05/09 Cuban Government Says 'Ok Computer'
2008/05/09 Excel Can E-Mail Your Weekly Reports For You!
2008/05/08 [ShellX 20080508]: 'Shell Enhancer', and 'Lansweeper'
2008/05/08 Xobni: MS Outlook Social Networking Technology for your Inbox
2008/05/08 Music Companies Jump on GTA IV Bandwagon
2008/05/08 Fascinating: Memristor to replace Binary
2008/05/08 Adobe Hopes To Make Flash Master Of The (Mobile) Universe
2008/05/08 Spiffy Envelopes and Labels in MS Word
2008/05/07 [ShellX 20080507]: 'Winbin2iso', and 'Loop Typer'
2008/05/07 Yahoo Adds Security Warnings To Search Results
2008/05/07 Apple to Lose Money on iTunes Movie Releases
2008/05/07 Amazon.com takes New York Tax to Court
2008/05/07 Need Glasses for the Slide Sorter View in MS PowerPoint?
2008/05/07 After Winning The DVD Format War, Blu-Ray Sales Tank
2008/05/06 [ShellX 20080506]: 'Visual Basic 6.0 Portable', and 'Double-...
2008/05/06 Yahoo Outsources to Jajah
2008/05/06 New HP Circuit Could Change Technology Forever
2008/05/06 Movie Downloads To Match DVD Release Dates
2008/05/06 Microsoft Ends Yahoo Bid
|
