I called it almost a year ago. Amazon was always going to start its own ad system to monetize the Kindle platform. In fact, Amazon has been going back and forth on this issue for months now. Implementing an ad system for Amazon Kindle devices is not straightforward. Not everyone is open to having ads show up in their books, and it’s hard to see how Amazon can introduce these ads in a non-intrusive manner. But Amazon is already working on this ad service, and you can expect yet another clash with consumers over how these ads show up.
The ad industry never stops innovating. When you are surfing the web online, your computer is bombarded with cookies and all kinds of code snippets that help large companies track your behavior, your surfing habits, and more. That means a lot of us do not have too much privacy online. Now imagine that happening on your Kindle as well. Sure, an ad service on Kindle can help businesses better target their prospects and reach out to folks who are interested in their products. But at the same time, the move will produce a backlash against Amazon and Kindle.
I wouldn’t mind showing ads on my Kindle as long as I get discounts on books or earn “Kindle credit.” But it all comes down to how Amazon implements these in-book ads. Are these ads going to show up as small banners at the top of each page? Or will we see those annoying ads that make you wait 10 seconds before you can close them? You’ve got to think about content publishers as well. Will we see Adsense-like services for e-books? Are we headed for “spambooks?” The details are very sketchy at this point, and nobody knows what Amazon has in store for us. But many experts have already objected to the possibility of ads showing up in e-books. Privacy still matters.
Let’s hope Amazon and its competitors don’t get too greedy here. The market may be growing fast, but consumers are not ready to give up their privacy and painless reading experience just yet.
Your turn: would you be open to Amazon displaying in-book ads on your Kindle?
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0 comments
#1SharynAugust 10, 2009, 11:57 am
If I’m paying for books, I’d be very unhappy to have ads in the middle of them. They can put ads at the beginning or the end (much like paperbacks already do), but not in the midst of my story. Freebies, maybe…but not books that I’ve paid for.
#2FranAugust 10, 2009, 6:55 pm
I would not be at all happy with ads in the books I purchase. In fact, I would immediately stop buying books for my Kindle, and stop buying anything from Amazon at all. (i spend about $5k annually at Amazon.) I like the idea of digital books but would look for another platform that did not manipulate the customer.
#3P. RadAugust 10, 2009, 11:53 pm
I have to agree with both of you. But I would accept ads if 1) they don’t make reading difficult 2) Amazon drops its prices on books and the device itself. Let’s say $200 for Ad enabled Kindle + all ebooks for 50% off. And if you don’t like seeing ads, you can opt out, and pay $9.99 per ebook. Some sort of compensation needs to be there.
#4Tice BelmontAugust 11, 2009, 9:45 am
I just bought a Kindle and so far I love it – but $300 for the Kindle, $10 per book, and then they want to make me look at ads too? Not gonna happen. If it was something like the if-you-like-this-book-maybe-you’ll-like-this-one advertising they do on the website, that would be acceptable–as long as it was on the Home page and not actually IN the book.
#5JohnAugust 13, 2009, 11:16 pm
No ads in the book. No adds on the first page. No ads to close before closing a book. Ugh! I can’t stand the idea. I’m with Fran!
That said, P. Rad is on to something… offer a unique ad-enabled version which is cheaper. I’d pay to avoid the ads. In fact, paying $450 for a DX plus more for books…. I think I’ve earned the right not to be hit with ads.
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