Google Ad Manager - Managing Adsense, Network & Direct Ads

[David Tan]

Heads up everyone. You know the thing that google did with OpenSocial to put it's influence into a wide range of social networks (in the hopes of making social networks and it's members dependant on Google)?

Well, Google has a FREE Ad Manager. They're giving this hosted ad mgnt solution, where it helps web publishers to sell, manage and track their ads. I think it's also compatible with managing ads from affiliate programs (although you won't be able to determine if a successful action was generated).

A useful tool that requires some intitial work but eventually the benefits are obvious. You get to manage your ads, determine which appears at where and when, etc.

Still testing and in beta but when it's launched I believe they'll have more stuff along with it. Wouldn't be surprised if they included some tools that integrates with DoubleClick, their recent completed sale of an affiliate network.

A great strategy from Google considering that they can afford to give away all these 'solutions' for free but will mean greater dependance and profits for their sister companies. Definitely one of the companies that really know how to peddle free stuff (and keep it free) unlike many other search engines.