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Google Debuts +Post Ads: Lets Brands Turn Google+ Content Into Ads On GDN

Ginny Marvin on December 9, 2013 at 12:08 pm

Google has introduced its first monetization effort for its social networking platform, Google+. Rather than running ads directly within the platform, Google has announced a new ad unit called +Post ads, which allow brands to turn their Google+ content into expandable display ads. Those ads can then run across the Google Display Network.

Brands can re-purpose pictures, videos, Hangouts and turn them into display ads within the Google+ interface. The ads are distributed on the Google Display Network, which claims over 2 million web sites

Below is an example of a +Post ad from Toyota, an early test partner. The +Post ads can display in GDN sites on mobile devices as well.

Users can click the ad to expand it and see the full set of user comments. According to Google, social annotations help increase click through rates. In addition to commenting, users can also share the content or join a live hangout.

Toyota USA, RITZ crackers and Cadbury UK are among the launch brands running +Post ads. Google plans to open the beta to more advertisers after collecting feedback from participating brands and users.

About The Author

Ginny Marvin

Ginny Marvin is Third Door Media's Editor-in-Chief, managing day-to-day editorial operations across all of our publications. Ginny writes about paid online marketing topics including paid search, paid social, display and retargeting for Search Engine Land, Marketing Land and MarTech Today. With more than 15 years of marketing experience, she has held both in-house and agency management positions. She can be found on Twitter as @ginnymarvin.