Google+ Terms and Conditions Allows Ads on Websites?

Are Google planning to add another click channel, for non-adsense sites?

[mhansen]

So I decided to actually read the TOS and privacy pages of the Google+ (link [google.com]) project, and found a couple snippets that peaked my curiosity enough to ask for opinions.

The premise is that within the privacy section, it almost sounds like Google have left enough ambiguity, that when a +1 appears on a page, they can also inject an Adwords ad, if it was recommended by a fellow friend in the G+ network.

First -

+1 personalization on non-Google sites allows Google to tailor content and ads to you across the Web, based on your Google profile, +1 activity, and social connections.

OK, so that tells me that by when I decide to share info, Google will share content and ads that I liked, and what my friends liked, together. OK, that's normal and expected.

Then -

When you click the +1 button, you're explicitly signaling interest in displaying, sharing, or recommending specific online content, including ads. So if your friend chooses to +1 an ad, page, or search result, you might see that +1 on other websites.

What caught my eye was the use of the word "Ads".... it made me wonder, will Google ever "Inject an "Ad" into the same box that shows what my friends like. Regardless of whether the website has signed on to use Adsense or not, based on simply using the +1?

For example, if my friend John likes a page I'm currently on about Samsung TV's, and in another or same session, John also liked a specific Samsung TV that was in an Ad, will the Google+ box say: "John Also likes Samsung, and this specific Samsung TV Ad", inviting me to buy the TV.

Is it plausable to think Google may show whatever they want to show in the Google+ section, Or... am I just reading too much into this because I question my own trust for Google?

[bw100]

The adwords blog had something on this a while ago.
[adwords.blogspot.com ]
If you believe what they say and what you see, it seems an annotation indicating that you +1'd an ad would appear in the ad, the next time that ad showed to one of your "friends".

will Google ever "Inject an "Ad" into the same box that shows what my friends like.

Whether it would cause the ad to appear to your "friends", in the context of their browsing or reading unrelated subject matter, is not clear in their documents. Google probably didn't know when they wrote this. If I was going to guess, I would think it likely, for the purposes of adding value to the +1 service. Also, the display of your name as an endorsement (which is what it is) might generate clicks for them.

Regardless of whether the website has signed on to use Adsense or not

Injecting this into the website without agreement of the owner wouldn't fly too far. However, I vaguely remember reading about a patent (?) regarding displaying content in the empty space on a browser.
There are, however, other ways to accomplish the same result, just not within the website content.

I can't for the life of me understand why someone would +1 an for the subject matter (Television on sale, cruise, etc.). I might click on the ad, +1 that site's page if I liked it, more likely email the link to a friend that I knew had a timely interest in the subject matter.

[mhansen]

Injecting this into the website without agreement of the owner wouldn't fly too far.

I agree... however, when we agree to display the Google+ features on our website, are we not giving Google free reign to show what they wish, related to the + services, in that area of the page?

We Expect:

[+] John, and 3 Others Also Like this Page

What we may Get:

[+] John, and 3 others Like this Page, and This TV Ad.

I cannot really find anything to support or exclude their ability to show whatever they choose in that area, in any of the terms. Its cloudy at best, which is typical of most Google TOS.

Going to be interesting to watch anyhow.