YouTube has never suffered from a lack of videos, only a lack of advertising -- at least according to stockholders who are anxiously awaiting a profit. But the video-sharing site will soon be getting a lot more of both as parent company Google unveils its latest plan to monetize its $1.65 billion acquisition.
People who search the site will now be greeted with video advertisements similar to those produced by Google AdSense. YouTube searches now produce "sponsored" videos on the right side of the screen alongside unpaid results on the left. For instance, a search for raunchy comic Lisa Lampanelli turns up two video ads: one for the James Bond movie "Quantum of Solace," and another for the "Miss Horrorfest Contest."
Like AdSense, YouTube Sponsored Videos allows advertisers to bid on search terms. The service charges on a pay-per-click basis, with advertisers allowed to set a maximum price they are willing to pay.
