WebProNews

A new interactive ad format has entered the world of widgets with Google's release of Gadget Ads, touted as 'Websites within Websites'.

Go Go Google Gadget Ads

AdWords has a new toy for its advertising clients. They are called Google Gadget Ads, and have been in testing in a limited beta form for several big-name brands.

Google said its Gadget Ads can incorporate real-time data feeds, images, video, and other content to populate the ad unit. Advertisers can develop them with Flash, HTML, and JavaScript in any combination.

These ads will run on Google's content network, which means they will compete with other ad units for placement. Advertisers can choose from CPC or CPM pricing models, with the usual targeting options available to help place Gadget Ads effectively.

"If you’re already sick of seeing gadgets/widgets all over the web, prepare yourself," marketing expert Andy Beal said of Gadget Ads. "Now that advertisers have a solid advertising platform to monetize them, you can expect to see a whole lot more."

To be truly effective, we think advertisers will have to devote significant creative effort and plenty of unique content to the Gadget Ads they choose to deploy. Honda set the bar pretty high with its Fall Out Boy videos as part of their Honda Civic Tour Gadget ads.