The Eye-Opening Future of PPC Advertising

Shanine Dorta - August 23, 2013

Remember the days when the thought of computers reading your mind seemed so futuristic?  Well, welcome to the future.  We’ve all heard of PPC (Pay-per-click) advertising.  But how about Pay-per-gaze and even…wait for it…Pay-per-emotion?  Ready or not, it’s coming to a device near you.

Google recently patented a Google Glass-based ad system called pay-per-gaze which would charge advertisers any time someone physically looked at their ad.  “But how?” you ask.  The answer is simple, through an eye-tracking device.  When wearing the device, sensors would detect when your pupils pointed in a certain direction and how long they stayed there.

Take it a step further, if said ad made your pupils dilate — perhaps a picture of a juicy burger invoked some sort of interest in you — it would charge the advertiser even more.

Sounds like something from Total Recall, right. I agree.  This technology has not officially been introduced on the market as it’s currently in beta.  But rest assured, once rolled out it’s sure to raise some eyebrows.