Rant On Contextual Email Ads
Monday, June 5th, 2006 at 5:12 pm by Jeffrey Perren, AC Magazine
Normally biting the hand that feeds you is unwise. But a line has been crossed. Microsoft is now testing contextual ads delivered inside email messages. (Actually Google crossed the line with Gmail quite a while ago. One of the reasons I never use it.)
Far be it from me to complain, since advertising pays me money. But something about the idea of even a very impersonal process displaying ads based on the content of my email strikes me as one step beyond spam.
Even spam is just shotgunned. And, with good filters, I don’t have to look at it. But intruding into my private communications is beyond the pale.
Of course, now that I’ve calmed down a bit, I can look at the bright side.
There are lots of email provider choices, and - so far - Microsoft and Gmail are the only two (I know of) that place content inside email messages.
Since, it’s free, it represents one more way to pay for the system without postage. Others may offer it as an upaid option, or - as many subscription sites do with content - offer ‘no ad’ email for subscribers.
And, best of all from Affiliate Classroom’s perspective, it does provide affiliate marketers another way to create content targeted ads.
Ok, the world isn’t coming to an end. It’s just getting papered over with ads a little more. For performance-based marketing, that’s a good thing.
Hmmm, where’s that beta signup button?
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