Software Could Enable Links in Product Placements

Think about it. What if a user could click on a phone, a watch or another accessory while watching streaming video and be taken to a website that sells the product? Would it enhance sales? Almost certainly. Is it possible? It may be soon.

by Kristina Knight

VideoClix 3.0 is set to release next week. The updated software is said to be layered with clickable links. Those links can give product information or even direct users to specific e-tailers selling the products placed in the videos.

"If you don't want to click, you don't click. It's very non-intrusive. But at any time you're interested in an item you just click on it," said Babak Maghfourian, CEO of VideoClix (via Clickz.com). "Impulse shopping is what the Internet is all about right now."

They call the service "plinking" and it is generating interest from marketers and e-tailers. The software has more features which allow metrics tracking of the videos and of the content that is clicked. Those numbers track clicks, sales and viewing behavior - all very important to the content holders.

The software works with Flash .swf files and Apple Quicktime files. It also suppots AVI, DV, MPEG1, MPEG4 and 3GPP formats. However, it cannot be used with RealNetworks RealPlayer or with Windows Media Player.

Tags: online video, plinking, product placements

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larry

this is nothing new, people have been creating clickable links within video for over 6 years and tracking every click. the real issue is how fast the clickable area appears and then is gone from the screen making it almost game for the user to click fast enough :(

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