sincity Posted December 9, 2013 Posted December 9, 2013 Google+ users, your ad-free safe haven days are over: The company's frequently maligned social network has flipped the switch on advertising in the form of promoted posts. Announced in a Google+ post by product manager Eran Arkin (via TechCrunch), Google has begun testing a new program on its social network that cleverly converts content from branded pages into full-fledged advertising with only a few clicks. +Post Ads can include photos, videos or even a Hangout, allowing brand advertisers to "think of the entire web as their social stream," including more than two million sites in the Google Display Network. The initiative is launching with a select group of retailers including Toyota (YouTube link) and Mondelez brands Ritz crackers and Cadbury UK, who are reportedly already seeing results 50 percent higher than the industry average for rich media ads. More ads coming "Bringing together the sharing capabilities of Google+ and the reach of our ad products has already allowed advertisers to better connect with customers, and customers to better discover what others are thinking," Google's Arkin explains. One benefit over traditional advertising is that +Post Ads allow consumers to engage in conversations with advertisers, leave comments or questions and even reshare videos with friends. As always, it's still up to the advertisers to create an effective message consumers will be willing to help share - all Google is doing is providing the framework to make that happen. Google plans to collect feedback from users and brands over the next few months, during which time Google+ will also be opened up +Post Ads to additional advertisers - like it or not. Don't miss our sneak peek review of Google Glass! Quote
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