I just spotted this advert for Chromebooks on the “Most visited” tab of one of my Google Chrome installations (v 24.01312.57 m).
The advert didn’t appear on the laptop I have with me (same version number) and disappears from the open tab after about 2 minutes.
Considering I’m a full-fledged citizen of the Google world (and an AdWords /AdSense user), it’s fair to say that their advertising usually doesn’t irk me. Most of my irritation with online advertising comes from poor design (which I’ve been / am guilty of) or overzealous use.
I know Google have advertised their own services and products in prominent places on their search engine and other products, but this is the first one that, despite it’s subtlety, I’ve actually felt to be slightly intrusive.
Not only does this advert feel intrusive, but it’s very sloppy. In the tab it talks about the “$249 laptop from Google”, which I will assume is the Samsung Chromebook, but the link actually goes to page for the $199 Acer Chromebook.
I’m not saying that there’s anything wrong with the Acer Chromebook (we have 3 of them and the kids are never off of them) but I would probably be pimping the $199 dollar price in order to attract those who are more fiscally responsible/constrained.