Google Newspaper Ads Go Into Beta

Google is testing newspaper ads. What does this have to do with organizing the world’s information? It seems that Google thinks most information is advertising. The initiative is described as “a potential print ads test”, and would allow advertisers to purchase ad space in the papers through Google AdWords. The beta service is called Google Publication Ads. It is by invitation only.

Even to users with AdWords logins, enrollment is limited by invitations. Newspapers may view Google’s attempt to become a middleman as a mixed blessing. Many of them feel dependent on the revenue from AdSense, and worry about Google as a competitor. Rightly so. The new beta service is the company’s first foray into newspaper territory, although Google has placed print ads in the past in computer magazines. But Google is organizing the world’s information, and making it universally accessible.