Google Tests 'Gadget Ads'

GOOGLE HAS BEGUN BETA-TESTING "GADGET Ads"--interactive applications that advertisers can embed into Web pages, which will add a rich media solution to the search giant's suite of products.

Although Google executives revealed the beta during a marketing summit for the auto industry, the Gadget Ads will be available to all ad categories by this summer's planned launch.

Bloggers around the Web, dubbing them "Google Gadgets," have written about these ad units, a version of which are available for use with the new personalized iGoogle interface.

Like widgets, the HTML-based applications offer advertisers the option to add flash, video, real-time feed, and transaction functionality to typically static display ads.
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