YouTube and Google are still trying to answer the question “How do we make money off this blasted invention?!”
Now, they’re trying something I’m calling “interactive product placement.”
YouTube has added “click-to-buy” buttons on videos from their partners. The idea being, if you like what you see, then click this button to buy it. The buttons will be placed directly below the video player. Current partners involved include Amazon.com, iTunes, EA and EMI Music. Clicking one will take you directly to buy the product, music or game featured in the video.
YouTube gets a commission off every successful sale.
The YouTube blog says that eventually, these ads could make their way into UGC videos, too. Companies using their content ID/management system can find mentions of their products and add click-to-buy buttons on those videos.
I’m skeptical this will work, but it’s worth a shot. An article from the NAB quotes Google Chairman Eric Schmidt as saying the perfect approach for monetizing YouTube is like the Holy Grail.
I agree. Though at least other UGC sites are in the same position. Twitter is trying to come up with opportunities for ad cash, too.
