Looks like some kind of beta program; no idea if they get paid, but it's not likely to be AdSense.

...but it's not likely to be AdSense.

Just curious, what makes you say that?

Adsense has a few different unit types (banners, search, text). Seems like a "survey unit" might make sense, no?

I saw that on a newspaper site today. It was positioned after an article preview, something along the lines of "Keep the Internet free. Either answer a [survey] question or share this page." When you clicked an answer the rest of the content showed. I didn't catch who it was powered by.

It might be, but it doesn't really fit the profile. I'm pretty heavy into advertising, and I haven't seen it offered to advertisers yet, even in beta - and it would have to be, for it to be AdSense.

But I suppose it could be some premium publishing thing.

Hope it doesn't spread, that's extremely annoying.

This type of thing has been all over ringtone and download sites. Its called content locking, but it is really surprising to see Google testing it out, if it is indeed Google.

You typically see this type of ad technique on the dodgier parts of the internet, and usually you have to do a zip code or email submit, or if they're really aggressive - a telephone # submit for a shady freebie or prize affiliate offer. Sometimes all it takes to unlock the content is a Facebook like, G+, Tweet, or other type of social share.

I've read that the technique can be very profitable in certain niches and demographics, especially for monetizing high bounce rate, high one-time visitor traffic, and there are affiliate networks that specialize in offers that allow content locking traffic, and even build/host the content locking script for you.

I think at best - its annoying, and at worst can be downright fraudulent, ie. phone # submits that bill you for ringtones without your consent or disclosure...

In its current form I wouldn't run content locking on my sites, but if Google figured out how to clean it up, remove the shady elements of it, and make it as non-intrusive as possible - I'd test it out.

It looks like a micro-paywall type thing, which should be great for newspapers and media - because its the advertisers that do the paying, as opposed to the audience.

cr1t1calh1t

Its called content locking, but it is really surprising to see Google testing it out, if it is indeed Google

The unit clearly said powered by Google (see screenshot video above). I was surprised it was from them as well.

but if Google figured out how to clean it up, remove the shady elements of it, and make it as non-intrusive as possible - I'd test it out

That was the interesting part of it. When I initially saw it I almost clicked away to a different site because I didn't want to interact with something shady that blocked the content.

When I saw it was Google, I went ahead and clicked (it didn't ask for any private info, just a one question survey answer).

It worked well for the type of site it was on, since the "cost" to view the content was very small.

It's interesting to think that even a click is worth something to the person doing the clicking, but that's the way I felt when I encountered it.

I'm seeing a new version of 336x280
One image ad plus 3 text ads all in one 336x280 block. Maybe some new ads are being tested. Anything to help CTR is welcome.

Hey I just ran across this - looks like you saw an early version of this (I don't think it's related to AdSense though)

[google.com...]

Or its just a straight google gadget, e.g.
[google.com...]

Just came across an article about this. It is a new way to monetise sites.

Advertisers pay Google to run the surveys, and Google pays sites 5 cents per response.

Not sure if I'm allowed to post the link, but if you google the quote you'll find the article.

Hey I just ran across this - looks like you saw an early version of this (I don't think it's related to AdSense though)

Yep, that looks like what I saw.

So if the advertiser is paying .10 per survey, it looks like Google is paying half that to publishers.

Seems like you'd need a pretty high traffic site with helpful content in order to make it worthwhile. Maybe a movie times site would be another example.

If this Pop-up requires an action to close it wouldn't it violate the AdSense Policy of:

Sites showing Google ads should be easy for users to navigate. Sites may not change user preferences, redirect users to unwanted websites, initiate downloads, include malware or contain pop-ups or pop-unders that interfere with site navigation.

Seems like you could use either AdSense or Surveys but not both.