Yesterday, Google announced that they are testing new ad formats that among other things will include video. This is how they explained:
Text is often useful, but sometimes videos and pictures are a more effective way to receive information. For example, if you want to learn a magic trick, a video showing you how to perform the trick is likely the best result. So over the past few years, we’ve blended videos, images, maps and more into the search results on Google.com.
While I have seen many Google video ads on different websites and blog I have yet to see one of these ads in the search results. But according to Official Google Blog US residents have seen these ads:
AdWords advertisers had an option to create video ad for quiet some times. It would be however difficult for real estate agents to benefit from these video ads in the search results because the longest ad that you can create for your AdWords campaign cannot exceed 120 seconds. Hardly enough time to make a quick video tour of your listing! I am sure however that many creative and innovative real estate agents can use these video ads to promote their real estate business.
It will be interesting to see how this takes off. I wonder, will they be the type that play automatically? I hate those! It’s annoying when I’m trying to read a page and I’m interrupted by a video I didn’t ask for. But for advertisers, I think it’s a great idea, and I for one will be looking out for it.
2 mins is enough to get started. Pair this up with a longer video on your page and a call to action to click here to continue watching. Job done. User is on your site. All you have to do is keep them there.
Great Article and information, Thank You! I ecently saw a split test with an increase in conversions of 50% based on a video instructional rather than instructional image. The video held attention better and turned browsers into buyers in this split test.
Pete,
Thanks for stopping by. I am not surprised video produces better result. I think as Matt pointed out, you can squeeze a bait in 2 minutes allowed by AdWords and then have a longer video on your page. I am thinking to experiment with AdWords video ads myself soon.