Tuesday, December 19, 2006
PixsyPower: a Google Co-op for Photo and Video Search
I've just spoken with Chase Norlin of photo and video search distributor Pixsy regarding PixsyPower and the new PhotoSense ad unit, which points to exciting monetization directions to come for publishers and Pixsy.So PixsyPower is pretty old news - we've known about it since September at least, and the concept should be pretty simple to MShifters... we're basically talking about a Google Co-Op for video and image search. I would compare PixsyPower to Eurekster except they're just a platform distributing Yahoo results, while PixsyPower is the platform AND the index.
The Video Search Ad Widget
The new story is the PhotoSense ad unit widget they've come up with, inspired by both Ask and Yahoo ads that enable users to search directly in the ad and not leave the page. PhotoSense puts publisher-built search action into all major IAB ad sizes on a site.
So if you've got inventory to kill, or want to TEST how popular video could be for your blog, vertical site or MySpace page it's well worth a look. All (3 or so) results show up INSIDE the ad. You can also monitor what the most popular searches are through their login interface. NICE.
Publishers don't make cash from PhotoSense yet. Pixsy's using it to distribute text ads from partners seeking search inventory - doing what Norlin termed "maximizing the page yield". This is where you'll see some HOT STUFF coming from Pixsy over the next few months, cause nothing spreads on the web like cash.
Encouraging Distribution of Their Distribution
In answer to my question "how will you maximize the spread of PixsyPower to potential users?" Norlin said:
-PR is key in the beginning
-viral spread (by making a good product)
-marketing effort in 2007 around PixsyPower as we tighten up the service
-partnerships with blog platforms, already working with sixapart
Scoopty Doo
I thought this bit was cool, and Norlin said no one's written about it yet - he's having conversations regarding private labeling PixsyPower with networks of all shapes and sizes regarding private labeling the PixsyPower platform. This could be videos, text ads, hell I bet it could work for a TechMeme-styled paid blog post styled distribution platform...
These discussions will be important when it comes time to figure out how to pay the PixsyPower distribution army.
Marketing with PixsyPower
Off the bat - if you're a MySpace marketer I'd recommend putting a PhotoSense widget in your MySpace page - you'll be able to track video and photo searches within the MySpace environment.
Also, for those who have embraced creating how-to videos as an addition to their how-to article marketing efforts you should know that Norlin's considering a how-to video section.
Oh - and Norlin brought up the whole web search vs. site search issue, which I've not delved into but is worth mentioning. Norlin's looking to tap into the SITE SEARCH volume, which some people for whom it benefits to inflate the numbers put at a whopping 2 billion searches a day.
Pixsy's Precarious Position?
So... basically if Pixsy keeps growing and becoming increasingly badassed they will be emulated to death by Google or Yahoo. Norlin sees this and is in talks with deep pocketed organizations for war funding. For now though he's characteristically optimistic and confident: "we beat Google to the punch once again."
Posted By Jason Dowdell at 08:00 AM
Permanent Link: PixsyPower: a Google Co-op for Photo and Video Search
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