ReadWriteWeb has discovered the existence of a stealth Google project, called DreamAds. It is a very ambitious project, topping even the wireless balloons which Google is also looking into. Essentially DreamAds is Google's latest plan to extend AdSense - this time into our dreams. It may sound far-fetched, but an inside source at Google told us that it is very possible thanks to the latest in cheap magnetic resonance scanning and mind-reading techniques developed at Stanford University. Our source also revealed the thinking behind DreamAds: Google is aiming to become the first company to monetize a totally wasted period of time in human life: sleep, which takes up almost 1/3 of our lives.
We discovered a reference to the DreamAds project via a piece of commented-out code on a hidden Google webpage that an alert reader sent us. We followed up with our inside sources at Google and it turns out that this project is real! We even have an exclusive concept design of the new product (see below).
DreamAds appear only during your REM sleep, as a footer overlay to your dream. According to scientists, things that we see during our sleep are up to 10 times more influential than the things that we see in our real life. And this is exactly what makes DreamAds a potential cash-cow for Google.
DreamAds works with a very light apparel that you put on your head. It is said to be so light that you won't even feel it and so it won't disturb your sleep in any way. The apparel will be distributed for free, starting with a beta rollout in San Francisco - dates as yet unknown. Here is a concept drawing of the device, which we got from our Google source:
On the business model, we were told us that the ultimate goal is a CPA model (Cost Per Action), whereby ads are embedded into dreams so that users can 'action' them. However the current technology isn't that sophisticated. So in the first version of DreamAds, Google will start with a 'Cost Per Impression' based ad model.
This is an intriguing product that has the potential to take Adsense to the next level. Google will probably be able to make around $500 per DreamAds apparel user. And with the upcoming CPA version, the high relevancy could increase Google's revenues to $5,000 per person. Think about that: $5,000 * 1 billion users means an unparalleled distribution model for advertisers and a gigantic revenue source for Google.
Our source didn't confirm this, but we've heard a rumor that Google has already started a private beta program with a limited number of trusted testers in the Mountain View area. ReadWriteWeb will stay on top of this story and bring you updates as they happen. In the meantime, please share your thoughts in the comments.
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Emre, I'm sorry to report Google fooled you. They showed you this obsolete version, when there is already a newer one.
It won't require the headsets, there will be transmitters in the streets. They will also be scanning and reporting/processing our dreams.. whether we're asleep or not.
Posted by: Zoli Erdos | April 1, 2008 2:51 AMToo funny and too true! :}
Posted by: Vicky | April 1, 2008 2:54 AMer! yeah! The following is way better. Let me win the Amazon voucher for best comment :)
Posted by: DC Crowley | April 1, 2008 2:55 AMIt's not surprising: the dream work is a process, (Jean Francois Lyotard) which can be modelled, monitored and monitized. This new white space market, which connects devices, people, interaction latencies and specific intents, is exactly the kind of platform mediation opportunity that Google so excels at (i.e. mediating between the subconscious intents, the manifest intent, and the advertisement as image between the two).
"The dream work is not a language; it is the effect on language of the force exerted by the figural, (as image or form"
An excellent example of taking the leading edge thinking from another field and re-purposing it. Great find. :)
Posted by: PaulSweeney | April 1, 2008 3:13 AMI can't help but think that too many privacy concerns will arise!
Posted by: Pink | April 1, 2008 3:30 AMThis is awesome. I will sign up as soon as it is out of beta. I heard a rumor that Google will use the DreamAds system to pipe back nightmares to anyone who is trying to commit click fraud. This will be called DreadAds. However, they are concerned that Goths might actually enjoy this feature, thus messing up their entire business model.
Posted by: Roger | April 1, 2008 3:47 AMThanks Zoli, how did I miss that :{
Posted by: Emre Sokullu | April 1, 2008 3:47 AMThis leak from Google HQ is the early beta of an even more ambitious project to index every human thought, and base Adsense on a CPD (cost per Desire) trading model.
Posted by: graeme | April 1, 2008 3:59 AMBut here’s the thing. After a long day spent tinkering in my AdWords account, I am already dreaming of Google Ads. So what I will need is an ad-blocker plugin. Can the Mozilla people develop that one just as fast?
Posted by: Kanupriya | April 1, 2008 4:08 AMI can't help myself to think that this is just another great April fools prank by Google...I could be wrong!
Posted by: Chris | April 1, 2008 4:29 AMLOL Maybe DreamAds will make me more money than AdSense does.
Live From Las Vegas
Posted by: The Masked Millionaire | April 1, 2008 4:44 AMThe Masked Millionaire
On average I log about 20 mini dreams a night, Dream Ads will compliment the in between commercial breaks... minimizing unnecessarily use of the bathroom. Go Googeniuses!
Posted by: Jeff Makana | April 1, 2008 5:24 AMExcept for the lack of expletives, this could have been taken from The Onion!Great April Fool's article!
Posted by: dena | April 1, 2008 5:29 AMHOPEFULLY,
Posted by: LaunchWire | April 1, 2008 5:35 AMAnother April Fool Prank....LOL
Good April Fool prank. Enjoyed :)
Posted by: Sathish AR | April 1, 2008 6:33 AMI hope this is an April Fool's joke because if it isn't then its the dumbest thing I have ever heard.
Posted by: VTFootballGrad | April 1, 2008 7:45 AMApril Fool's joke?
Posted by: Jason | April 1, 2008 9:00 AMgood one! you got me.
Posted by: bill | April 1, 2008 10:53 AMThis has to be an April Fools Day Joke!!! Hilarious!!!
Posted by: Haute Concept | April 1, 2008 12:52 PMsuper-smart!!! Hilarious!
Posted by: semih | April 1, 2008 1:15 PMlol ..amuses me that people only "think" its an april fools joke OF COURSE IT IS!
Posted by: smackmeone | April 1, 2008 1:33 PMSo what's the deal, do I just put the headphones to dream ads for free just cause I'm a cool 21st century consumer, or do I actually get paid for sleeping?
Posted by: xavierv | April 1, 2008 3:38 PMCan you blog while you dream? Read your feeds? That I would pay for.
Posted by: xavierv | April 1, 2008 3:41 PMxavierv: yep you get paid. you are shown 100-150 ads per sleep. regular CPM is $1 but here it is 10x because our scientists say it's 10x more influential. With this simple arithmetic, you can get around $500 per year. More sleep more money!
Posted by: Emre Sokullu | April 1, 2008 4:57 PMit's real or april fool
Posted by: ajay | April 1, 2008 11:05 PMGreat article. Very creative. ha ha...
Posted by: Matthew Griffin | April 2, 2008 3:55 AMmaybe it is for april fools day just like Think geeks betamax to hd-dvd converter haha!
Posted by: dwek | April 2, 2008 6:17 PMInteresting. Thanks
Posted by: askmuslims.com volunteer | April 3, 2008 6:42 PMhmmm...will it benefit advertisers more? or would it lessen their income
-W3G
Posted by: W3G | April 4, 2008 3:01 AM