Context Ads in Gmail
Whilst i still have lingering privacy concerns with GMail's offering, i gotta say, they really have created an awesome product. For those who don't know, one of the 'features' of GMail, and ultimately the reason they can afford to give you a gig of free space is that they offer context sensitive text ads along the right hand side of all your mail. They have been doing this for a while with the normal google search engine, but it has never really worked very well in my context - the content is always very 'american'.
I recently received an email petition to stop all the crap that is going on in my home country of Zimbabwe (wish an email petition would help - it won't). Lo and behold, GMail came up with the following ads next to the email...
| Safaris in Zimbabwe |
| Victoria Falls Holidays |
| Attractive Africa |
| The world's leading website on Zimbabwe |
| ZIMBABWEAN Ambassador to South Africa Cde Simon
Khaya Moyo has ... |
| Visit Victoria Falls, the Zambezi Mana Pools,
Matusadona |
| Our service & prices are guaranteed for
holidays to Victoria Falls. |
| All Southern African hotels, trains tours &
car rental for much less |
| Independent Zimbabwean daily newspaper. News and
features. |
That's really not too bad - almost useful in fact. Perhaps the day may yet come when i actually click on a banner ad....