Google expands ad offering

Google announced this week that they would start offering expandable ads similar to the ones we talked about last week. Although unlike some banner ads, users will have to click on them to expand them, so no one gets frustrated by an ad that keeps blocking their view just because they moused over it.

This is good for users, good for advertisers and bad for those who host the ads on their blogs and other Google-powered sites. That's because the cost-per-click only applies if the user clicks through to the advertiser's web site (this would require a second click). But by streaming video or allowing for some interaction with their brand in the banner ad, users will likely not need to go through to the site to get the experience and take away the impression the advertiser is looking for.

Again, the beauty of interaction without interruption.