Google’s technology for targeted online advertising is being tested out for use with television advertising. The installation of Google Fiber in Kansas City will be trialling targeted TV advertising, providing local companies with a way to advertise their business to nearby customers in existing commercial breaks alongside national advertisers.
The system will share the same concept of location-based advertising as web ads, reports Gizmodo. Google will select relevant ads from its inventory based on the geography, the genre of program being watched, and the viewing history. Businesses using the system will only pay for advertisements that have aired, with the ability to limit the number of times their commercial is shown per television.
Current advertising campaigns are usually sold on a per-market basis, as the broadcaster is not able to offer unique advertisements for every viewer, nor can it split the audience to show a specific commercial to a specific demographic. Google’s system is more focused in comparison, with the historical viewing records likely to provide some degree of help in working out if the most appropriate audience will see it. By charging per view, it is possible the system could be more cost efficient to advertisers.
Subscribers of Google Fiber can opt out of the trial, by adjusting their Fiber TV settings.
