Google Virtual AdSense coming soon?

One of my predictions for 2007 was -

"Google will buy Second Life. Microsoft is already demonstrating Virtual Earth billboards and Google will seize the opportunity to bring AdSense not only to it's own mirror (Google Earth) world but also the virtual world."

Now the Wall Street Journal is reporting that -

"Google is in talks to acquire San Francisco-based Adscape Media, an in-game advertising firm. A deal could be reached as early as next week, according to the report. Google has been in discussions for months with game publishers regarding the delivery of ads into Internet-enabled video games. The acquisition would enable Google to offer another advertising channel to ad clients, such as virtual billboards in racing games."

I notice though that Adscape Media is...

"... an advocate for the freedom of choice of its partners and our solution supports a level of flexibility and options unmatched in the industry. To ensure our products meet your requirements, Adscape Media is actively forming non-exclusive strategic relationships..."

So any interest in this company might seem to suggest that Google wouldn't tie itself into a single virtual world. But it's not like a similar line of thinking prevented them snapping up YouTube! So who knows....

Comments

[Paul Browne - Technology in Plain English]

Any thoughts on where the whole 'online advertising supporting sites (web or 2nd life)' thing is going to go?

My own take is that it's useful pocket money for sites, but the real winner with Adsense et al is Google.

[James Corbett]

Yes, it's a bit like the old gold prospectors and pan makers story (or was it pan makers?). A few people will find gold but on the whole it's the toolmakers who'll make most.

As regards the direction of virtual advertising I'm more inclined to think that Reuters have the better idea - their Second Life island generates a lot of good will as a user experience. They offer a news HUD that you can take with you and place on your virtual properties. In other words they're building their brand into the experience instead of being 'in your face'.

This view also ties in with what Dave Winer has long being preaching of course - the feed *is* the ad. Or translated, the experience is the ad.