Google is biased, when it comes to advertising.
submitted 2 months 22 days 12 hours ago by: amersarfraz : 2 comments
I just noticed that Google has become greedy and biased in the application of its ad serving system Google Ads.
Google Ads follow two prime models, Search Advertising on Google Search and other partner search networks and Content Advertising that serves ads to content partner websites like Google Mail and this one BuzzVines.
At the same time, Google offers two different Pricing Models to its advertisers. CPC, which is cost-per-click and CPM, which is Cost-per-thousand-impressions. CPC ads generally cost more and are charged to the advertiser only when someone clicks on the ad, where as CPM ads generally cost less and are charged only for views (impressions that is), no matter the click or not.
ISSUE
Now the stance of Google Ads has been that when it shows the ads of any of its advertisers and a user/ visitor clicks on it, he/she should be taken to the advertiser's website and the same page is re-loaded, instead of the advertiser's website being opened in a new window. And I agree with the logic that the user should be forced to leave this website so the click is rightly paid for. This used to be a standard rule for all ads regardless of the fact where they are being showed, whether it's Google.com or Gmail or any other content publisher website like BuzzVines. There was however a way around, if you right click on an ad and open it in a new window by selecting on that option, which is not an option in case of a Flash File or a Video Ad.
Anyway, it just so happened that I was checking my mail on Gmail and I clicked on one of the ads there. To my utter surprise, the advertiser's website opened up in a new window automatically and the GMAIL window stayed there as it is. I re-checked it again and that is exactly what happened. Then I opened up BuzzVines and clicked on an ad and the advertiser's website was still opening up in the same window, just as it used to be. Then I checked the same thing on Google.com, there too the ads are opening in the same window, which can still be justified that the search was complete and the user has to leave now. But GMAIL is an exact comparison with a content website like BuzzVines and many other and there is a descrimination going on.
So Google has actially shed the mask of GOOD GUY and has now started using double standards to make more money. In the end I guess it all boils down to business and all is fair in that, OR MAY BE NOT.
Comments
Amer - This is what Google has to say in their help about this:
"Can I open the ads in a new window?
Keeping in mind the importance of the user experience, we generally have not allowed Google ads to open in a new window. However, in a few markets, including China, we've found that opening ads in a new window better aligns with expected internet behavior and provides a more consistent, intuitive user experience.
After significant testing, we've enabled Google ads to open in new windows in locations where this is expected browsing behavior. This functionality is determined by the IP of the user, and is not an option you can select your AdSense account.
We also ask that you don't modify the AdSense ad code or alter the result of clicking on an ad on your website, as such behavior violates our program policies."
Google AdSense Help Link: https://www.google.com/adsense/support/bin/answer.py?hl=en&answer=9737
So I think if Google has explicitly mentioned what they are doing or testing in their help/faq section then they are not being biased.
It's just that we need to regularly keep ourselves up-to-date about their new & changing policies!
Thanks for sharing that info, but you probably did not read my post completely. Although Google has saved itself by saying what you have posted above from the link, but the things is why Gmail only. Why not other content websites. Why would a user get a better experience on Gmail and not on any other content website (although it does not explicitly says so in what you have written above, but I need to know what other content partner websites are excluded from that option).
And if this is done solely with Gmail, then there is surely a problem there with Google's policies. For that matter, even if it is human behaviour that they are following, but it directly affects the financials of the other websites. So just deciding something and only because you have explicitly mentioned it on your website, does not give you the License to get away with anything that you deem optimum for your interest. Or does it ?