Another day, another Google initiative. This time, they’ve announced a partnership with Ebay to be the exclusive provider of text based adverts outside the US. But more interestingly, they’ve launched a ‘click-to-call’ advertising deal whereby a user can click on a link or icon within a product or service advertisement to initiate an Internet voice call using Skype of Google Talk. The cost to advertisers will be similar to the pay per click model already in place with text based adverts. This brings Ebay owned Skype into the deal, which will be based on revenue sharing between Ebay and Google, although no specific money-related details have yet been launched.
“This agreement underscores how much we value eBay as a partner,” said Eric Schmidt, CEO of Google. “Our technologies will allow us to connect users to relevant advertising across eBay’s international properties. By working together to promote click-to-call functionality through Google Talk and Skype, we are offering advertisers another innovative way to connect with customers.”
Tests will begin appearing early next year, with the initial ‘tweaking’ projected to last several months. [Via VOIP IP Telephony]