When contextual ads work, they make lots of bloggers lots of money; when they don't, they end up on 'Bad Contextual Ads,' a photo blog that parodies the worst pairings of ads and context.
Contextual ads are meant to display ads that match keywords that appear on an individual page. Most of the time, this works out well: a tech article generates ads on where to buy a phone or computer. But in the first example above from 'Bad Contextual Ads,' however, the image of a cat vomiting is paired with an ad for "Weight Loss Without Dieting." Tragic, indeed.
Intelligent Ad Fails
'Bad Contextual Ads' Captures Tragic Pairings of Ads & Context
Trend Themes
1. Contextual Advertising - Opportunity for implementing improved algorithms and AI technology to ensure more accurate ad placements.
2. Ad Parody Blogs - Opportunity to create entertainment platforms that parody and critique ineffective ad placements.
3. Ad-context Awareness - Opportunity to develop ad platforms that take into account the context and emotions of the content they are displayed with.
Industry Implications
1. Digital Advertising - Disruptive innovation opportunity in creating smarter ad targeting and placement solutions.
2. Entertainment - Disruptive innovation opportunity in the creation of more engaging and entertaining ad parody platforms.
3. Artificial Intelligence - Disruptive innovation opportunity in the development of AI algorithms that can better understand and match ad content with context.