Every now and then something new and big happens on the internet, and right now may be one of those moments. Google just announced the beta program of their AdSense for Video program (also known as Google Video Advertising Solutions) - and this may mean that a whole new world of opportunities are opening up online (I’ll explain my doubts in a later post).  After all, there are about a gazillion unmonetized videos online.  If Google is able to figure out how to successfully change that reality it can make a lot of people a lot of money (although not as much as it can make Google).

Think about it for a second - imagine that you don’t have a website, aren’t pitching a product and have no presence whatsoever online.  However, you’re a creative fellow who is good with a video camera.  Google may have just created a new career for you.  Just keep churning out quality videos, upload them to YouTube, monetize them and your set.  And this is just one example. 

But before we get our hopes up, let’s first understand how Google Video Ads work.  We’ll start by looking at Google Video Ads from the advertisers perspective.  In particular, we’ll look at Google Videos Ads through Google’s AdWords program (we’ll touch on advertising through YouTube later on).

Google Video Ads vis-a-vis Google AdWords

In the following video, Google addresses a variety of questions that advertisers will want answered before committing to Google Video Ads.  Questions such as:

• Why should they get involved in online video advertising? 
• What special and/or unique benefits do Google Video Ads offer them? 
• On which sites will Google Video Ads be displayed?
• How are Google Video Ads displayed?

Google Video Ads for Advertisers(03:06)

As you can see, there are a variety of Google Video Ads formats to choose from:

1. InVideo Ads
2. Text Overlay Ads
3. Video Ad (i.e, the video itself is the ad)
4. Google Gadget Ads
5. Ads in the Web-page surround a video

I imagine that the key to succeeding with this program will be learning which types of video ads work best with your product or service as well as the ability to test and track different types of video ad formats and styles. 

In other words - success with Google Video Ads will be similar to succeeding with regular Google AdWords Ads - tracking different versions, learning how to properly target your ads, syncing your ads with your landing pages, etc. 

As time goes and people start actually using Google Video Ads we’ll be able to learn specific techniques that work (as well as ones that don’t work).  Until then, we’ll just have to use our current knowledge of AdWords as a general guideline.

Google has released a video describing a new (beta) feature on Google Maps for mobile called My Location. My location helps you determine where you are on a map even if you do not have GPS and without having to type in your location on your mobile phone keyboard.

Most web-enabled mobile phones (such as Java, BlackBerry, Windows Mobile, or Nokia/Symbian devices) should be able to use My Location. 

This short video explains how My Location works, offers a real world example of how it may be utilized and addresses any privacy concerns that you might have.

Google Maps for Mobile - My Location (Beta) (02:26)

Sunday Thoughts at Search Marketing Courses

Earlier today I published my first Fun with Sunday post. Along the same lines, I thought it’d be worthwhile watching some of the more serious and meaningful videos from the Internet Marketing World. I call this series Sunday Thoughts. True to its name this series will present insightful videos about imporatnt topics and issues.

The first video is a lecture by Michael Oren that he gave at Google’s New York City offices on Febuary 5, 2008. Mr. Oren has just written a book called ‘Power, Faith and Fantasy: America in the Middle East 1776 to the Present’ which "attempts explore and document America’s historical relationship with the Middle East from the 18th century up until the increasing complex present day.

Michael Oren is a renowned scholar on the Middle East whose previous books have received much acclaim including "Six Days of War" which won the Los Angeles Times Book Award and also made the New York Times bestseller list. In addition to his many historical books he is also known for his fiction.

Authors@Google: Michael Oren (57:07)

Want to learn more? Check out Power, Faith, and Fantasy: America in the Middle East: 1776 to the Present at Amazon.com.

Fun on Sunday at Search Marketing Courses

For most people in the world Sunday is a day off (for me it’s actually the first day of the work week, but that’s another story). So I thought it’d be nice if I featured some videos with an interesting, non-work related twist on Sunday’s (we can all get serious again come Monday).

As such I’d like to introduce the Fun on Sunday series. Fun on Sunday’s videos will feature enjoyable, entertaining videos with an eye towards showing the lighter side of the Internet Marketing world. And who better to start with than some cute videos from Google featuring their Doodle 4 Google contest.

What, might you ask is a Google Doodle? Well, we’ll let Google’s Dennis Hwang "explain" in this neat little video:

Time Lapse Video of Google Doodle Creation (01:35)

Pretty impressive - I can’t even do that with a paper and pen, let alone on a computer!

Want to see some of the finished products? Here’s a short demonstration:

Google Doodles Animation - Short Version (00:32)

And here is a long demonstration:

Google Doodles Animation - Long Version (07:25)

And to end up this Fun with Sunday, here’s a cute little video about the Australian Doodle 4 Google competition

Doodle 4 Google My Australia summary (04:48)

So how about it? Do you want to Doodle 4 Google? Then check out the Doodle 4 Google home page and see if your school qualifies.