MIVA launches ALOT toolbar

A new toolbar from MIVA could help websites increase traffic and help advertisers increase revenue. Called ALOT, the toolbar, created by direct marketing services provider MIVA, adds interactive elements to websites and web properties, search and start pages.

by Kristina Knight

alot%20logo.gif "We're delighted with the early results we've had," said Rob Roe, SVP/General Manager, MIVA Direct. "Since our soft launch in September in the US market we now have over 630,000 active ALOT Toolbar users."

In addition to the toolbar interface, ALOT offers widgets which can be contextually targeted according to the content on a website. The widgets can be branded; one such widget is from eBay and streams the most-searched terms on the auction website. Widgets can be created for nearly any kind of content and can stream information from RSS feeds, Newswires and other online content sources.

To ensure privacy, the interface requires users to give consent before downloading the toolbar or widgets; there is also a simple uninstall so that users can revert to other toolbars if the ALOT toolbar doesn't meet their needs.

"The ALOT brand has been created with relevancy, ease of use and transparency for the user in mind," said Roe. "The entire user experience is paramount to us - we want ALOT to become synonymous with the phrase 'making information easy'."

Google, eMusic and NetVibes will offer content through the toolbar and widget interfaces.