Google like ads on Twitter?

I just read through an article on this at All Things Digital.

Reminded me of the way people try to fit in existing familiar models, to try and predict how new systems would work. Greek? well, when the 'talking movie' was introduced, few believed that it could replace silent movies!

Here is an interesting excerpt:

All of this changed in 1926 when Warner Brothers, in conjunction with Western Electric, introduced a new sound-on-disc system. In this system, sound effects and music were recorded on a wax record that would later be synchronized with the film projector. In order to exhibit this new technology, Warner Brothers released "Don Juan", the first motion picture to have a pre-recorded score and synchronized sound effects. Although "Don Juan" proved to be a box-office hit, many movie studios still refused to adapt to talking picture technology, believeing that "talkies" would never replace silent pictures. (More here)

The point I wanted to make was, Twitter needs to find a model, based on how it functions, and that definitely is not like Google. I did post a comment there, and the same is reproduced here.

We are dealing with 2 highly different systems. While Google is more an entry point for people searching for content. Twitter is more of a system to help people follow folks who they percieve as experts, and be in the know.

In Google, the ad serves a purpose, so it is successful. In Twitter, an ad like Google is anything but a distraction.

Having said that, the best thing Twitter can leverage is fan following. Sort of like endorsements in the real world. People with the highest following, can be contacted to promote products - essentially endorse them.

Is it unethical? Not really. Celebrities do endorse products.

Watch this space...

Cheers, Vinod