Google Tests Print Ads With 2D Barcodes For Mobile
4th February 2008
In keeping with their aim to capture ever larger markets through innovation and technology Google is testing a cool new feature on their Print Ads platform – 2D Barcodes.
By using 2D Barcode and QR Code technology Google is trying to facilitate business deals between consumers and vendors. The 2D Barcodes are added to Google Print Ads, which can be published in newspapers, magazines, buses, signboards, flyers etc. In addition to the traditional contact details printed on the ads the 2D Barcodes can provide much more details about the advertiser in a small space.
2D barcodes are similar to traditional barcodes and can be used to encode data about the advertiser. Most 2D Barcodes use either the QR Code or Data Matrix format. A QR code or quick response code enables the contents to be decoded at high speeds.
When a person interested in the product being advertised, sees this barcode, he/she can take a picture of it on his mobile phone. If the device then has the appropriate decoding software installed on it, the phone will decode the information and present it to the user. If the information is in the form of a website URL, the phone could access the encoded URL directly.
This feature is currently in just a beta testing phase, 2D barcode can only be incorporated by a limited number of advertisers who are already running Google Print Ads campaigns. Advertisers wishing to use the service can select the Print Ad details such as the ad space required, the publications desired etc and upload their ad along with the barcode.
Using innovations like this to improve the adverrtiser and consumer experience will most likely keep Google ahead of the game. Neither Yahoo! nor Microsoft have ad platforms that are anywhere near as advanced as Google’s offerings.
Tags: barcode, google, google-adwords, microsoft, mobile, mobile-phone, mobile-search, ppc, qr-code, yahoo
8 Responses to “Google Tests Print Ads With 2D Barcodes For Mobile”
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This quote kills me, “When a person interested in the product being advertised”
Some writers have tunnel vision just because, “Google is doing it!”
What about Google’s main source of income, KEYWORDS?
What if the consumer see’s a logo, trademark, slogan, or a KEYWORD and would like to go to the items web page?
Why does it need to go back to a 2D code? WHO CARES ABOUT THE CODE!!!! Why can’t there be other objects that can be clicked?
What about Neomedia’s patented technology that lets the consumer/web user click on real world objects to find information in one click. Yes, it covers 2D, QR, data matrix, and 1D bar code types such as EAN and UPC. Heck, they even cover RFID.
Personally, I would rather say the keyword as I walk down the street to get information.
What could Google do with that?
Why type? Anyone?
The Neoreader can be found at:
http://www.neoreader.com
Keep an eye on the Mobile Codes Consortium (MC2).
http://www.mobilecodes.org
If you are interested QR codes you may be interested in an ezine I edit http://2d-code.co.uk
- Roger
By using these kind of techniques, Google distinguishes itself from the other online advertising companies. It has already proved its excellence in providing better results for search queries and now it is holding tight to its lead in advertising.
lol – laughing at neoreader’s comments….. why would google want to get involved in a patented mess of proprietary protocols.
The reason the are using QR codes is because Denso the japanese developer of QR opened the platform free of all license restrictions and bickering that you, scanbuy and nextcode have caused here in the USA.
As for why reporters like google….well for one thing they actually make money and have real customers.
Cheers,
Dean
QRme.co.uk launched over two months ago and as well as having news and videos based around QR codes the site also creates both a URL and SMS QR Code for you using data from your user profile. A member forum has also been set up for members to exchange ideas. There are instructions on the site on how to set up a free mobile website to link to your QR Code and the service is free.