Facebook gave a half of one percent of equity in the company in exhange for $10 million in advertising, according to ZDNet.

That translates to Facebook being a $2 billion company, not bad for a company that isn't even close to the top of its field. Is the company that desperate for advertising that it has to sell off shares?

Social networking for kids will be a fad as safety concerns are going to diminish their use. There will be a few survivors, but most of these companies will be the Pets.com of the 21st century.

However, social networking for adults has more potential. LinkedIn should be upgraded to include classifieds and job listings. People could hire and sell to trusted friends, and LinkedIn could take a cut as advertising dollars will only get you so far. Members should be able to search for concert tickets, travel buddies or freelancers, and connect one level deep through all connections.

Think Craigslist and eBay and MySpace all rolled into one.

Pay per call company Ingenio announced a service that enables experts to charge per hour to give their advice. Ingenio provides the phone number and handles the billing, and the expert takes calls either on their phones or through Skype.

Ingenio is using VoIP as the back end for Ether, and takes a 15 percent cut for facilitating the transaction. The company is targeting accountants, tech support services, and wine experts.

This seems like a relatively limited niche as charging per hour for advice isn't something that many companies do.

But perhaps the technology could be broadened for hosting virtual conference calls through a website. Imagine that instead of a web chat, you could take calls through your website and have a system to automatically manage the queue. You wouldn't be required to setup an account and pay the hefty telecom fees if it were all done through IP. And it could be ad-supported as people listening in would have to be looking at something on their screens.

If you're using VoIP to save on marketing costs or for pay per call advertising, you should expect to pay more soon. The FCC voted that VoIP should join other telecom carriers in contributing to the Universal Service Fund.

The rates could go up by as much as 16 percent, according to News.com.

By one VoIP industry estimate, customers could owe as much as $2.12 extra on a $30 monthly bill because of the changes, said Jim Kohlenberger, executive director of the VON Coalition, which represents the Internet phone industry.

As much as we might want IP-based services to remain outside the grasp of the tax man, it seems only fair that VoIP vendors contribute. The fees are based on estimates of long distance charges as a percentage of revenue, so it will be interesting how Skype, which currently isn't charging for calls within the U.S. and Canda, figures out what it owes.

Podtrac today put out numbers about the percentage of podcaster consumers who listen/view content online versus offline. The growing use of mobile devices for consuming content complicates how much advertisers are willing to pay, as well as the analytics for tracking viewership.

"The average listening and viewing habits for audiences across all podcasts from Podtrac's most recent data are: 52% on an MP3 player or iPod, 45% on a PC and 3% on a pocket PC, PSP, cell phone or other portable device." .

Podcast (and other multimedia) advertisers should plan on up to half of their audience hearing their pitch offline. Podtrac says the percentage can vary substantially: shorter programs tend to be viewed online, while longer podcasts tend to be downloaded and viewed offline.

Advertisers should ask about the online/offline metrics before making a buy. They also may need to create one ad that assumes interactivity (click here now for more info) and another with an easily remembered branding message for offline consumption.

MSN has loaded up the prize wagon again and is giving out free stuff to users of their search engine. A Few months ago they tried a similar contest that hast been an ongoing thing that most people have forgotten about, so to pump new life into the contest MSN has added all new prizes to their Search And Win Contest. Some of the new prizes include: Lots of gift certificates, travel vouchers, golf clubs, electronics and more. And just like last time the keywords you need to search for to trigger a chance to win are in the source code. I wonder if Nick from threadwatch's hack still works?

Here's the list:

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for vendetta, cinerama, film festival, MI3, Mission Impossible 3, American Dreamz, Previews, PG-13, Loews Cineplex Odeon, showtimes, Regal Cinemas, United Artists, Paramount, Fox, Universal, Warner Brothers, tri-star, golf, golf club, golf accessories, golf putter, golf ball, PGA, michelle wie, tiger woods, golf swing, fairway, irons, wedges, putters, drivers, pine valley, greg norman, jack nicklaus, golf handicap, caddy, hole in one, sand trap, tee, golf tee, tee time, green fee, green fees, usga, gortex, polar fleece, polartec, fleece, backcountry, back country, hiking, mountaineer, mountineering, crampons, rock climbing, climbing, nordic skiing, cross country skiing, cross-country skiing, cross country ski, cross-country ski, randonee, randonee skiing, randonee ski, snowshoe, snowshoes, snowshoeing, snowshoing, telemark, telemark skiing, telemark ski, telemark skiis, belay, belaying, black diamond, blackdiamond, headlamp, head lamp, climbing harness, climbing gear, Magnesium carbonate (MgCO3), chalk, chalk bag, climber's chalk, climbing chalk, carabiner, bouldering, top-roping, top roping, piolet canne, piolet ramasse, piolet panne, piolet poignard, piolet ancre, piolet traction, Abalakov V-Thread, ice pitons, pitons, outdoor, outdoor gear, camping, camping gear, camping supply, camping supplies, sno park, sno park permit, forest service permit, sno park pass, snow park, snow park permit, snow park pass, electronics, home theater, consumer electronics, dvd player, cd player, stereo, stereos, stereo equipment, pc, computer, desktop, notebook, laptop, software, hardware, dvd burner, satellite television, satellite tv, XMRadio, Sirius , Sony, Toshiba, Samsung, Monster Cable, Bose, Panasonic, Pioneer, sofa, chair, table, dining room, living room, bedroom, registry, bridal registry, placemats, napkins, table settings, plates, glasses, kitchen ware, William Sonoma, gourmet foods, gourmet, gourmet cooking, cookware, gourmet cookware, specialty foods, kitchen appliances, kitchen equipment, tableware, gift packages, cookbook, waring, pressure cooking, slow cooker, henkel, wustoff, donvier, baking, ramekin, pyrex, zyliss, good grips, oxo, krups, calphalon, le creuset, printer, printer cartridge, printer refills, home office, desk, cable modem, high speed internet, DSL, all in one printer, scanner, telecommute, city year, susan g komen foundation, make a wish foundation, ronald mcdonald house, slow food movement, magic johnson, technology access foundation, TAF, unicef, care, american red cross, habitat for humanity, Oxfam, save the children, Weber, barbeque, BBQ, ribs, outdoor grill, party, boy meets grill, hamburgers, rotisserie, corn, corn on the cob, kebab, kebabs, grill, grilled meat, hamburger, bun, alder smoked, smoker, smoke house, smoked, wood chips, ligher fluid, charcoal starter, BBQ Sauce, steak, charcoal, propane, propane tank, side burner, BTU, blue rhino, alder chips, cedar chips, picnic, meat thermometer, grilling, steak sauce, dry rub, Netflix, movies, DVDs, top video rentals, online movie rental, videos, video rental, Hollywood movies, top videos, top dvd rentals, top dvds, online dvd rentals, online video rentals, dvds online, videos online, sopranos, six feet under, sex in the city, entourage, brokeback mountain, pay per view, cable tv, on demand, blockbuster, actor, actress, academy award, academy award winner, oscar, oscar winner, movie studio, movie, motion picture, flick, feature, documentary, indie, indie films, IFC, foreign film, Golden Lion, Palm D'or, director, best director, film, celluloid, thespian, big screen, feature film, Home Depot, home improvement, doors, lumber, windows, roof, tools, lighting, decks, landscape, garden, insulation, building materials, bark, mulch, gardening, lighting fixtures, light bulbs, wheel barrel, planter, plumbing, decking, hammer, stanley, black and decker, outdoor lighting, motion detector, beauty bark, compost, garden supplies, landscape maintenance, chainsaw, chain saw, fertilizer, weed and feed, turf builder, turf, sod, seeder, annuals, perennials, landscape lighting, rake, hoe, garden hoe, shovel, trowel, soil, potting soil, diatomaceous earth, gopher traps, vermiculite, pest control, slug bait, slug and snail, snail bait, weed control, gardens, weeds, plant stakes, tomato cages, tomato cage, sprayer, pressure washer, tractor mower, edger, lawn, grass, grass seed, lawn mower, car maintenance, oil change, tuneup, tune up, tune-up, tire, tires, tire rotation, oil filter, air filter, muffler, carborator, car parts, car repair, coolant, windshield washer, windshield wiper, wiper fluid, brake fluid, brake pads, rotor, fan belt, antifreeze, wiper blade, wiper blades, timing chain, oil pan, 10w-40, Honda, Mazda, Toyota, Ford, BMW, Mercedes, used cars, kelly blue book, viscosity, outdoor furniture, smith and hawken, plants, pool, swimming pool, avignon, picnic table, deck furniture, lounge chair, lanterns, deck cushions, chair cushions, furniture covers, fountains, trellises, fences, window boxes, planters, pots, garden tools, solar lighting, greenhouses, bulbs, tullips, orchids, topiaries, ferns, bonsai trees, roses, trees, vines, wreaths, english roses, tea roses, climbing roses, teak garden furniture, adirondack chair, teak bench, sunbrella, bird feeder, bird bath, garden art, garden ornaments, fountain, hummingbird feeder, bat house, praying mantis, lady beetle, lady beetles, lady bugs, lady bug, trellis, greenhouse, door mat, umbrellas, satellite radio, XM radio, xm radio subscription, digital radio, internet radio, music, jazz, ellen degeneres, front row fred, bob dylan, roy orbison, opera, oprah, christian , rock, dance, latin, classical, extreme xm, air america, Sirius, fox news, family talk, high voltage, family travel, expedia, airline, plane tickets, united, southwest, delta, online travel agent, travel agent, air fare, airfare, summer travel, airline tickets, passport, visa, entry visa, europe, discount travel, travel deals, best fares, american, continental, beach travel, car rental, travel packages, cruise packages, cruises, cheap airline tickets, travel voucher, las vegas, new york city, hawaii, carribean, mexico, getaway, travel guide, corporate travel, flight status, weather, airport map, airport guide, one way tickets, AAA , travel, AAA Member Services, AAA Financial Services, financial services, car purchase, car loans, emergency road service, maps, insurance, locksmith, car battery, travel discounts, heath insurance, driving school, long term care insurance, retirement, life insurance, roadside assistance, tow truck, spare, flat tire, flat, tire iron, jump start, road trip, scenic drives, scenic routes, travel planning, route guidance, cross country drive, travel services, grand canyon, home insurance, swimsuits, swimming, women's swimsuits, men's swimsuits, children's swimsuits, swim apparel, swim bags, tote bags, mesh bags, waterproof mp3 players, goggles, jog belts, triathlon, 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energy, carbon zero, alternative energy, wind power, solar power, biofuels, biofuel, bio fuel, bio fuels, clean energy, Terrapass, Terra pass, renewable energy, emissions, emissions offset, tailpipe emissions, carbon offset, jet fuel, air pollution, pollution, biodiesel, bio diesel, gas, gasoline, motor fuel, gas mileage, mpg, miles per gallon, price of gas, cost of gas, oil prices, pump, unleaded , price per gallon, cheap gas, lowest gas prices, fuel prices, Greeting Cards, Greeting Card, anniversary announcement, anniversary announcements, anniversary note card, anniversary online card, 4 x 8, 4x8, 5 x 7, 5x7, address change stationary, announcements, change of address announcement, christening, greeting card maker, greeting cards print, making birthday cards, online card making, printable greeting card, save the date cards, save the date postcard, foto card, foto greeting card, art note card, foto cards, foto greeting cards, farewell greetings, anniversary picture, anniversary 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Contextual advertising company Vibrant Media now links video ads to in line text. The IntelliTXT service uses the double green underline that you are doubtlessly familiar with from blogs and news sites.

The small video windows launchautomatically, so the ads are not that intrusive and can be an effective way for publishers to generate revenue. The format is useful for 10 second commercials, if the commercial is relevant to the linked word. There is nothing more irritating than clicking on a link to be brought to a page that is only tangentially related.

I personally don't click on these types of links as I'm always on deadline, and the shopping sites and buying guides where these might be most effective do not seem to offer the technology. Brief product demonstrations that explain how something works or that show off the product (cars, movie trailers) would seem to be the most likely candidates.

Google could (but probably won't) compete with Vibrant when it rolls out its video ad network by linking either the natural or paid search results to video ads that would let you preview a product by rolling over the company's URL.

Found via Adotas.

A week or so ago it was annouced that ASK.com would be the official search engine of NBC's new reality show Treasure Hunters. For those who havent seen the show, it is essentially a copy of CBS' Amazing Race with a treasure hunting theme. I'm hooked but Ask.com needs to do some tweaking to their relationship with the new show.

All throughout Treasure Hunters there is a 'play-at-home' type game with simple trivia questions. Now if I am Ask.com, I am getting a hold of these questions before hand and making sure that users who watch the show can find the answer in the top result. Even if there needs to be a little gaming of the results, as the search engine underdog you have to do what you can to get the users hooked.

My thinking is that you make the answer the top result or near the top so that when a new user comes to Ask.com to find the trivia answer it takes them one search. As the search engine underdog you have to hope they find out how unbelievably easy it is to use and how accurate the results are (even if you are cheating). Otherwise, what is the reasoning for paying all that money for that sponsorship?

To do a little comparison I went 3 major engines (Google, Yahoo, MSN) and compared them to Ask.com's results using the same query to answer the question as it was presented on TV:
"Thomas Edison NickNamed his Kids?"
Google had an answer at #1, Yahoo at #1, MSN #10 and Ask.com had it at #8. Being as the show is so new they still have time to correct this otherwise Ask maybe wasting a lot of money on their sponsorship.

I bet if Jeeves was there, he'd have them straight!