Apple Selling Ads on iTunes?

MacRumors · Sep 18, 2006, 03:58 PM

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ValleyWag claims that Apple is recruiting for an ad sales director in an effort to bring advertising into the iTunes store.

Quote:

In a deal that should bring in several hundred million dollars off the bat, the company will run ads, most notably on its iTunes store.

The article has few details but suggests that Google's ad system would be used.

This is not the first time that there have been rumors of Apple incorporating ads into iTunes. An AdAge article from April 2006 indicated that Apple was looking into publishing ads while users listen to podcasts:

Quote:

Apple's [April 2006] plans call for the ads to appear only in the lower-left corner of the iTunes library while users listen to podcasts from their computers rather than from portable devices.

justflie · Sep 18, 2006, 04:00 PM

It doesnt really phase me either way. i seldom use the store but I don't think I would mind some subtle ads to create some revenue for apple. The ads shouldn't be too overbearing though...

EDIT: lol, i think that was my first first post

gugy · Sep 18, 2006, 04:01 PM

I hope not.
If it happens, I hope will be very subtle.

zwida · Sep 18, 2006, 04:04 PM

I GUESS it makes me happy as a shareholder that they'll be bringing in revenue from those page views. Of course, if it turns potential users off it won't be worth the (partial) pennies per click.

As a user I can say that it's just another annoying intrusion of advertising into my life.

Jackie.Cane · Sep 18, 2006, 04:04 PM

The store layout is already too busy and cluttered as it is...

dizastor · Sep 18, 2006, 04:05 PM

where would the ads go? The whole store is pretty much ads right now... ads for the content that is being sold.

Maybe they'll be adding a way to listen to full songs for free with advertising support. meh.

Jerry Spoon · Sep 18, 2006, 04:06 PM

I hope people don't freak out too much about this. I don't think it's the end of the world by any means as long as it's not too "in your face".
I think it's a good thing. I wouldn't mind seeing an iPod accessory ad on this medium.

LillieDesigns · Sep 18, 2006, 04:09 PM

Ads were inevitable.

As long as the things aren't popping up or making it harder to click links (hitting the ad isntead of what you want) I'm not too concerned.

camomac · Sep 18, 2006, 04:10 PM

i don't really like this idea.

mcarnes · Sep 18, 2006, 04:13 PM

And so it begins.

balamw · Sep 18, 2006, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by camomac

i don't really like this idea.

I'll reiterate what I said about it the last time. This could mean anything.

If they provide a service like Google AdWords where the podcasters can opt in and get to collect a small fee for every ad they deliver, I'm all in as I think this will lead to better podcasts.

Many of the professionally produced podcasts I listen to already include ads in the form of "this podcast made possible by ..." ads in the audio. If that can be extended to the smaller home podcasts, and help defray the cost of bandwidth. So be it.

B

Apple Shmapple · Sep 18, 2006, 04:18 PM

For a company that has built its following by courting those that don't like the Microsoft way of life, this is a strikingly Microsoft-like move.

These two companies are more similar than most here would care to believe.

danielbriggs · Sep 18, 2006, 04:18 PM

If it meant the music and video prices were lower (e.g. £0.69 instead of £0.79) that could be a good thing, but I don't think it will happen though!

wronski · Sep 18, 2006, 04:22 PM

Um, here's a question. Where would they go? The store is horribly cluttered as it is now.

Small White Car · Sep 18, 2006, 04:25 PM

Ha, how can anyone care about this?

When you open up the iTunes store right now all it IS is ads.

So you'll lose a graphic telling you to buy "The Office" and it'll be replaced with an ad telling you to buy a Toyota.

Whoop dee doo

Big change.

evilgEEk · Sep 18, 2006, 04:25 PM

As long as it's done tastefully (and if anyone can do that, Apple can), then I don't care.

I'm all for Apple generating some more income because ultimately we will all benefit from that.

And like LillieDesigns said, ads were inevitable.

Gasu E. · Sep 18, 2006, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Small White Car

When you open up the iTunes store right now all it IS is ads.

So you'll lose a graphic telling you to buy "The Office" and it'll be replaced with an ad telling you to buy a Toyota.

More likely: when you do go to buy "The Office", an ad for Staples will pop up...

Jetson · Sep 18, 2006, 04:30 PM

My first impression is that I don't like the idea of ads - it reeks of cheap commercialization.

When I go to Amazon.com or other internet retailers, I'm not bombarded by unwanted advertisements.

When I visit the iTunes stores I expect to see promotions for their own products and that is welcome. Ads from other sellers would be annoying. Of course if it was done tastefully for related products I might reconsider.

NATO · Sep 18, 2006, 04:31 PM

Just another way to boost revenue, money raised from advertising will definitely not end up reducing the cost of music for customers. Still, won't bother me, I don't use iTunes /*cough DRM cough*/ Store

kresh · Sep 18, 2006, 04:32 PM

So long as it's not stupid crap.

Can you imagine opening iTunes and looking at a Microsoft Zune ad begging you to dump Apple and go with MS?

Doenertier · Sep 18, 2006, 04:34 PM

Okay, why am I going to a STORE. Perhaps to BUY something.

Okay, what are ADS. Advertisement is information about a PRODUCT.

This PRODUCT may be the something I went for for the STORE.

So, if the ADS are for the PRODUCT I went for for the STORE, THIS IS GREAT.

That's what google is all about. Trying to guess what you are looking for and helping you find it.

Real good advertisement isn't JAVA IN YOUR FACE POPUS, it's good or excellent guessing your desires/wishes/needs and/or helping you discover them.

So, if you're into me BUYING some PRODUCT in your STORE, APPLE, bring on the ADS.

But do it right...

skubish · Sep 18, 2006, 04:36 PM

And so the downfall of iTunes has begun.
If I have a bunch of popups and ads to wade thru to buy something, then I am done with iTMS.

Why don't they just charge the movie and record companies money if they want there stuff on the frontpage or on the front page of each section.

iSee · Sep 18, 2006, 04:45 PM

Oh, good!

That means I'll be getting my songs and videos for free, now...

Right?

Right!?!

RIGHT???!?!!?

alec · Sep 18, 2006, 04:50 PM

sell outs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

resonator · Sep 18, 2006, 04:59 PM

This really sucks. I do not want to see ads when using iTunes. Especially if I am playing my own music which I purchased or imported from my own CD's. If there is no way to turn off this feature I am ready to start looking for an alternative player.

Sep 18, 2006, 04:00 PM	#2
justflie macrumors 6502a Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Red Sox Nation	meh It doesnt really phase me either way. i seldom use the store but I don't think I would mind some subtle ads to create some revenue for apple. The ads shouldn't be too overbearing though... EDIT: lol, i think that was my first first post __________________ 2 x 2.66 GHz 2009 Mac Pro, 6 GB RAM, GTX 285 ; 32GB iPhone 3GS

Sep 18, 2006, 04:01 PM	#3
gugy macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: La Jolla, CA	I hope not. If it happens, I hope will be very subtle. __________________ MacPro 2.8 Octo, 30" and 23" Cinema Displays, PB 550,MacBook Pro 2.2, iPod 1G, Shuffle 2G, iPhone 3G

Sep 18, 2006, 04:04 PM	#4
zwida macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: NYC	I GUESS it makes me happy as a shareholder that they'll be bringing in revenue from those page views. Of course, if it turns potential users off it won't be worth the (partial) pennies per click. As a user I can say that it's just another annoying intrusion of advertising into my life. __________________ I'd prefer not to.

Sep 18, 2006, 04:06 PM	#7
Jerry Spoon macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Historic St. Charles	I hope people don't freak out too much about this. I don't think it's the end of the world by any means as long as it's not too "in your face". I think it's a good thing. I wouldn't mind seeing an iPod accessory ad on this medium. __________________ "These days, new digital music download services are becoming more common than spare AOL CDs."

Sep 18, 2006, 04:10 PM	#9
camomac macrumors 6502a Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Around the corner from around the corner.	i don't really like this idea. __________________ it's a lot like miami vice...

Sep 18, 2006, 04:04 PM	#5
Jackie.Cane macrumors member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Canada	The store layout is already too busy and cluttered as it is...

Sep 18, 2006, 04:05 PM	#6
dizastor macrumors 6502a Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Los Angeles	where would the ads go? The whole store is pretty much ads right now... ads for the content that is being sold. Maybe they'll be adding a way to listen to full songs for free with advertising support. meh.

Sep 18, 2006, 04:09 PM	#8
LillieDesigns macrumors 6502 Join Date: Oct 2005	Ads were inevitable. As long as the things aren't popping up or making it harder to click links (hitting the ad isntead of what you want) I'm not too concerned.

Sep 18, 2006, 04:13 PM	#10
mcarnes macrumors 68000 Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: USA! USA!	And so it begins.

Sep 18, 2006, 04:18 PM	#12
Apple Shmapple macrumors member Join Date: May 2006	For a company that has built its following by courting those that don't like the Microsoft way of life, this is a strikingly Microsoft-like move. These two companies are more similar than most here would care to believe.

Sep 18, 2006, 04:18 PM	#13
danielbriggs macrumors 6502 Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Manchester, UK	If it meant the music and video prices were lower (e.g. £0.69 instead of £0.79) that could be a good thing, but I don't think it will happen though!

Sep 18, 2006, 04:22 PM	#14
wronski macrumors 6502 Join Date: May 2005	Um, here's a question. Where would they go? The store is horribly cluttered as it is now.

Sep 18, 2006, 04:25 PM	#15
Small White Car macrumors 68040 Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Washington DC	Who Cares? Ha, how can anyone care about this? When you open up the iTunes store right now all it IS is ads. So you'll lose a graphic telling you to buy "The Office" and it'll be replaced with an ad telling you to buy a Toyota. Whoop dee doo Big change.

Sep 18, 2006, 04:25 PM	#16
evilgEEk macrumors 65816 Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Boise, Idaho	As long as it's done tastefully (and if anyone can do that, Apple can), then I don't care. I'm all for Apple generating some more income because ultimately we will all benefit from that. And like LillieDesigns said, ads were inevitable.

Sep 18, 2006, 04:30 PM	#18
Jetson macrumors 6502 Join Date: Oct 2003	My first impression is that I don't like the idea of ads - it reeks of cheap commercialization. When I go to Amazon.com or other internet retailers, I'm not bombarded by unwanted advertisements. When I visit the iTunes stores I expect to see promotions for their own products and that is welcome. Ads from other sellers would be annoying. Of course if it was done tastefully for related products I might reconsider.

Sep 18, 2006, 04:31 PM	#19
NATO macrumors 65816 Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Northern Ireland	Just another way to boost revenue, money raised from advertising will definitely not end up reducing the cost of music for customers. Still, won't bother me, I don't use iTunes /cough DRM cough/ Store __________________ iMac 27" 3.06GHz Core 2 Duo 4GB RAM MacBook Pro 17" (Unibody) 2.66GHz Core 2 Duo 4GB RAM Mac Mini 1.66Ghz Core Duo iPhone 3G S 32GB

Sep 18, 2006, 04:32 PM	#20
kresh macrumors 6502a Join Date: Dec 2005	So long as it's not stupid crap. Can you imagine opening iTunes and looking at a Microsoft Zune ad begging you to dump Apple and go with MS? __________________ Please click here to help add native TrueCrypt encryption to Pathfinder by voting for this feature in CocoaTech's Feature Suggestion Voting System, No registration required. Spread the word!

Sep 18, 2006, 04:34 PM	#21
Doenertier macrumors newbie Join Date: Sep 2006	Okay, why am I going to a STORE. Perhaps to BUY something. Okay, what are ADS. Advertisement is information about a PRODUCT. This PRODUCT may be the something I went for for the STORE. So, if the ADS are for the PRODUCT I went for for the STORE, THIS IS GREAT. That's what google is all about. Trying to guess what you are looking for and helping you find it. Real good advertisement isn't JAVA IN YOUR FACE POPUS, it's good or excellent guessing your desires/wishes/needs and/or helping you discover them. So, if you're into me BUYING some PRODUCT in your STORE, APPLE, bring on the ADS. But do it right...

Sep 18, 2006, 04:36 PM	#22
skubish macrumors 68020 Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan	And so the downfall of iTunes has begun. If I have a bunch of popups and ads to wade thru to buy something, then I am done with iTMS. Why don't they just charge the movie and record companies money if they want there stuff on the frontpage or on the front page of each section. __________________ 12" iBook/512MB/80GB/Combo--> RIP 2/1/2009 iMac C2D 24" iPhone 3GS 32GB Black iPod Nano 8GB Blue

Sep 18, 2006, 04:45 PM	#23
iSee macrumors 65816 Join Date: Oct 2004	Oh, good! That means I'll be getting my songs and videos for free, now... Right? Right!?! RIGHT???!?!!?

Sep 18, 2006, 04:50 PM	#24
alec macrumors regular Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Washington DC	sell outs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! __________________ Help Me Work In Burma: Do Your Holiday Shopping On Amazon!

Sep 18, 2006, 04:59 PM	#25
resonator macrumors newbie Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Berkeley, California	This Sucks This really sucks. I do not want to see ads when using iTunes. Especially if I am playing my own music which I purchased or imported from my own CD's. If there is no way to turn off this feature I am ready to start looking for an alternative player.

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