Microsoft tries in-text advertising popups with new 'Gaze' project |
Connect with TechFlash on our Facebook page for all the latest technology news headlines and commentary, plus information and access to special events, photos from events, promotions and more.
Today On Techflash
- Startup of the Week: LocalBonus aims at 'buy local' movement
- Seattle webcomic The Oatmeal generates Tesla-Edison controversy
- Amazon falls on world's most valuable brand list; Microsoft at No. 5
- Former Yahoo CEO Scott Thompson resigns from F5 board
- 350 million Windows 7 devices to be sold this year: Microsoft
- Microsoft rolls out facial recognition for Windows Kinect
Mass High Tech
- Microsoft Build: Windows 8 preview a hit, but are investors unhappy?
- Build an app in a day at Mobile App Hackathon
- Beefed-up Skype for Windows; Indie author joins Amazon's 'Kindle Million Club'
- Only solution to Xbox 360 update error is new console
- Ballmer: Windows Phone update 'Mango' has over 500 new features
Microsoft tries in-text advertising popups with new 'Gaze' project
Microsoft's adCenter Labs research unit has been quietly working on an in-text advertising project called Gaze, positioning the company as a potential rival to such services as Vibrant Media's IntelliTXT and Kontera's in-text ad technology. Like those existing products, Gaze underlines keywords on the page and lets visitors hover or click for related advertising and information in a small popup box.
Mario Esposito, an adCenter Labs program manager, described Gaze in a blog post last night. The Gaze home page offers a teaser suggesting that it won't be formally introduced for a couple months: "Something is happening ... April 15th - Your ads just won't be the same anymore!"
Another page offers a process for publishers to register for the Gaze beta.
The beta carries the "Microsoft Advertising" name, not the adCenter Labs name, suggesting that this is more than just a research project. I've asked Microsoft about its plans for rolling out the technology, and I'll update this post depending on the response.
Esposito describes Gaze as "a web gadget that offers structured and contextual information to a user within the context of a web page." His post refers to the in-text links alternatively as "GazeLinks" and "GazeInLinks," with trademark symbols suggesting that the company has registered the words. However, the terms didn't show up in a U.S. Patent and Trademark Office search this morning.
Here's how Esposito's post explains the technology ...
"A GazeInLink™ is generated through a technology owned and operated by Microsoft AdCenter. The link is placed within the content of a web page; upon click the GazeLink™ will link the user to relevant information and offers (ads). ... A GazeInLink™ is clearly distinguished by a unique underline or other decoration that a publisher chooses. A mouse-over, click or by a small icon that sits next to the entity/keyword. When the user places the mouse over(*) a GazeLink™, the gadget layer opens with information about the linked entity/keyword. Ads are blended in to the content in a non intrusive way. They’re meaningful to user and related to what the user is reading."
See below for the screenshot that Esposito posted to show how the technology works. We'll have more details as they're available.
If you are commenting using a Facebook account, your profile information may be displayed with your comment depending on your privacy settings. By leaving the 'Post to Facebook' box selected, your comment will be published to your Facebook profile in addition to the space below.
TechFlash Team
Recent Sponsor Posts
Follow, like, and connect to a broader audience for your company!
The Puget Sound Business Journal announces Social Madness: A Corporate Social Media Challenge, presented by Capital One Spark Business. This a local and national challenge that will spotlight the best social media programs of companies in 43 cities. The local challenge begins (following the nomination period) on June 1, 2012. The promotion will culminate in a national bracket challenge that will crown Social Madness champions in 3 categories based on company size. To see the official rules, visit http://www.socialmadness.com/rules.
For more information on how your company can participate, visit the nomination page here. Nominations are due May 15th.
BizDev Seminar Series - Leadership: Rallying People to a Brighter Future
Join us for this one-of-a-kind seminar series where you hear directly from the experts about hot topics to grow your business.
The skills to be effective as a leader can be learned. What are the skills and attributes needed to be effective top leaders? How do you tell what level your people are at, and what development skills each person needs? Workshop attendees will learn the answers to these questions and more.
Tuesday, May 17, 2012
8:30am - 10:30am
The Harbor Club, Seattle
Register here.
