Google enables AdWords for mobile search

Google has opened up AdWords to Google Mobile Search, but if you don’t want to take advantage of this new opportunity you need to opt out.

by Helen Leggatt

A year after Google started testing paid listings on its mobile search offering, the internet giant has taken AdWords to the mobile platform. With over 200 million mobile phone users in the U.S. alone, this year is being touted by some as the year mobile advertising “popped”.

Not all ads will be allowed a listing on mobile search, as indicated in an email distributed by the AdWords Team which reads, “Each ad’s eligibility will be determined by its landing page and only ads with landing pages that can be adapted for viewing on mobile browsers will be shown.”

It should also be noted that this service will be free of charge up until, and including, 18 November, 2007. After that, if an advertiser hasn’t opted out of the mobile channel their ads will continue to be displayed and will incur a charge.

Recent research by The Kelsey Group found that spending on mobile search and display advertising in the U.S. is due to soar over the next few years. The total spend for 2007 is forecast to total just over $33 million and, by 2012, to hit $1.4 billion.