Google introduces video advertising

Internet giant Google is introducing video advertising and is thus entering the battle against television for the lion's share of advertising budgets. The films are to be shown as still images and only play when the user clicks on them. "We're offering a very, very unobtrusive advertising product," said Gokul Rajaram of Google AdSense on Monday. "Only users who click on the ad will see the video." The new format is set to be rolled out in the coming days. Although the movie files themselves will not be placed on the Google search page, but only on partner sites, the data will be stored on Google's servers to make it easier for customers to use. Analysts do not yet expect Google's video advertising to become a successful business and thus a serious competitor to TV advertising. However, the new service will allow advertisers to test commercials on Internet users before they are shown on television.