Korean Job Discussion Forums

[Paji eh Wong]

I clicked on my first google adword banner today. It took me to a site for volunteering in India. 10 years of internet usage and that was the first ad I purposefully clicked on.

The NY Times decided to take down their subscriber area because they think they will make more money by selling ad space to increased traffic. My question is, how the hell does this stuff pay for itself? I occasionally spend money on the internet, but I've never gone to a site, saw an ad, and said "Oh I need this". I've only spent money when I've searched for something. I know how regular, mass media advertising works, via branding and your unconscious mind. But I obviously, adword ads for thousands of tiny sites can't work like that.

Who makes money off this stuff?
Do you ever click on banner ads?
Have you ever found anything of value by clicking on an ad?

[mindmetoo]

[twg]

It usually works like TV commercials or street billboards. The people putting up the ad banner pay the site for the exposure to teir product.

So, assuming you have a huge site like CNN.com with millions of readers a day, if only 1% click that translates to a large number of people possibly interested in your product.

As well .... You may not want a coke, but if someone asks about a soft drink, you'll remember the product and may suggest it to them.

[ddeubel]

I just started a google ad. Not expecting much and just was curious about how it works, that's all. I took out a regular ad 3 lines. Been up a day and here are the results.

All Campaigns

Today Yesterday Last 7 days Last week (Mon-Sun) Last business week (Mon-Fri) This month Last month
Total clicks: 0 Average CPC: $0.00
Total impressions: 216 (number of times ad posted)
Total CTR: 0.0% Total cost: $0.00

I'll keep you posted. Don't think they work unless you are really targeting highly frequented sites (I'm not, specific target). But interesting process and I commend google on how easy it is to set up an account/payment etc....

DD

[Otherside]

I found out about teaching in Korea from a google ad.
I found my recruiter through clicking on a google ad for tefl.com.

So while I didnt spend anything, some1 made some money from me thanks to their ad

[cangel]

I personally believe advertising is a colossal waste of money for exisiting products. I have never been sitting on my sofa watching sports, when a beer commercial struck a cord in me and made me run out (then or later) to pick up a 6-pack. Huge banners illuminating the night sky... For what? Unless the product is new, the advert is worthless... At least to me.

[Qinella]

The purpose of advertising products (as opposed to events) is not necessarily to have you run out right away and buy the thing, but rather to give you a subconscious tendency to prefer one product over another when it comes time to choose a purchase. That's why household names like McDonald's and Coke still bother to advertise. I don't think anyone wants to believe they are actually susceptible to the devious ways of advertisers, but, well.. we are.