Mountain View, California — Android and Apple’s iPhone developers seeking ways for an extra source of income to sponsor their project, may now integrate Google AdSense network ads into their mobile applications, sponsored by Google. The search giant on Wednesday announced a beta version of its Google’s AdSense program — which allows it to sell and distributes ads to third-party publishers — is coming to Apple’s iPhone and Android mobile devices.
AdSense for Mobile Applications enables developers to incorporate AdSense network ads into their mobile applications that empowers advertisers to bid for placement in their apps. A small group of developers have been experiment with this program but now anyone can apply, said Susan Wojcicki, vice president of product management, in a blog post.
“Advertisers are looking for ways to reach potential customers when they are engaged with mobile content, and application developers are looking for ways to show the best ads to their users,” Wojcicki wrote in a blog post. “We have already experienced a successful trial of this service with a small number of partners, and are excited that we can now offer this solution to a broader group.”
Previously, Google AdSense ads showed up only on Web pages rendered by mobile phone browsers.
Mobile apps are one of the most popular topics in software industry these days. The tool will help companies that create applications that works on Apple’s iPhone and Google’s operating system Android to generate revenue by displaying text and image ads along with their apps.
Developers include a small piece of code into their application. This allows the phones to display the ads. This code connects the application into Google’s network of partners and publishers. The code allows developers to control the way the ad appears on the screen. The ad targeting is contextual, similar to targeting that exists for AdSense partners.
“We are also experimenting with ways to allow advertisers to bid for ad placement on specific applications,” says a Google spokesperson. Google works with application developers to determine the proper signals that help AdSense for Mobile determine the relevance of an ad. The system then matches the signals to relevant advertiser keywords that bid for placement on Google’s Content Network through the AdWords interface.
Wojcicki also elaborated on how the beta will work by continuing, “AdSense for Mobile Applications allows developers to earn revenue by displaying text and image ads in their iPhone and Android applications. . . . We have build a site where developers can learn more about the AdSense for Mobile Applications program, see answers to frequently asked questions and sign up to participate in our beta.”
Tina Teng, senior analyst at research firm iSuppli, estimates that 10.7 million phones worldwide will run Android in 2010, compared with 22.3 million iPhones in the market. Those numbers will rise from 4.5 million units and 18.7 million units, respectively, this year.
In a YouTube video made by Google, Howard Steinberg, director of business development at Urbanspoon, one of the companies participating in Google’s closed service trial, stated that his company chose to work with Google to deliver ads that are targeted by keyword and geography, and to enhance the application.
“What we seek, and the reason we have chosen to partner with Google, is to insert ads that users will see as helpful,” he said. “The quality and the relevance are essential.”
Google is not the only one to enter into this space, though it is certainly the popular company trying to turn mobile advertising into a viable revenue stream for mobile application developers. And looking at the reputation of the regular version of AdSense, along with how popular smartphones are becoming, this release is likely to cause quite a stir. Other contenders in this arena include AdMob, Medialets, Pinch Media, and PurpleTalk.
You can view Howard Steinbergs’ video testimonial below:
Those who wish to participate in the beta must check out the strings attached. Your application must generate 100,000 page views a day, and it must be free. Google is taking applications here.