I was surfing the web today to notice how Google Adsense ads have a different name: Ad Choices. On text adverts, the bottom right corner use to say ‘Adsense’ and now it says ‘AdChoices’. On image adverts, it use to be the letter ‘i’ in a circle which has also been changed to a triangle. Yes, I know it’s not a big difference but still why have they done it?
Now, at first when I saw this, I immediately thought why have they done it? With the newly released +1 by Google too it seems they are having a make over. For all publishers of Google Adsense, the name hasn’t changed. The only name that has changed is the one on all adverts. This could be because they will be changing the whole name of Adsense or want to change the look of Adsense ads (UPDATE: which they have now done for iPad Adsense adverts) as the average surfer knows they are by Google when s/he sees the ‘Adsense’ in the corner of the advert.
I also wondered about copyright. There must be an advertising internet marketing company already out there called AdChoices? Sure enough there is: AdChoice. Yes, it doesn’t have a ‘s’ on the end but there must be some copyright infringement by Google or maybe Google have bought out adchoiceinc.com.
Anyway, I think the reason Google changed the name was to attract attention again. A product or service through it’s life goes through different stages. When it gets to the end of it’s life, you can either re-brand it to boost sales or just leave it to rot away. Therefore, Google must be re-branding Adsense to boost it’s sales. This was possibly due to the ever increasing market of online advertisement: the amount of new companies joining is incredible.
Either way, the only thing at the moment that has changed is the adverts name, nothing else. But, I wouldn’t be surprised to see the whole of Google Adsense change name. From my perspective, I think the new name is a lot better. Adsense was just a company I would associate with Google placing adverts on websites. AdChoices is that but it says it in the name ‘AdChoices’ inclining it’s bringing you the best choice ads.
I noticed this change and it looks better than Google ads which people have been used to seeing for a long time. Other changes to Google search ads have happened. Now when I search for something there is a toolbar above consisting of YouTube, eBay, twitter and Amazon links. It takes the page a bit slower to load, and so when I click on the first search engine result the page bounces up with the toolbar and ad which took its time loading and I click on the ad by mistake. I am sure this has increased their CTR on ads LOL.
That is the problem that when big advertising companies change the look of the adverts, we don't know what and what isn't an advert. But, we will learn sooner or later…
nice info…
A long as it benefitted you!
I think you'll find its something to do with the Eprivacy directive…
I can agree with that too. The Eprivacy Directive also caused Adsense to change how their adverts are displayed:
"aims to meet the notion of user consent through transparency and control. Users receiving behaviourally targeted and retargeted ads will be alerted by a privacy icon which, when clicked on, gives information on what behavioural targeting is, how the practice is achieved, and what users can do to opt out of receiving such ads through a central website, Your Online Choices"