In its never end battle against Google, Overture Services, Inc. on Monday launched Content Match, a new contextual advertising product that places search results on relevant content-based pages of its
distribution partners' sites. Reportedly, the new service is designed to further Overture's efforts of diversifying both its product offerings as well as revenue streams. Content Match links will be
placed in various locations on partner site pages and embedded within their content, appearing on the side or bottom of webpages. The placements will feature Overture's Pay-For-Performance listings
generated by the company's advertisers. Additionally, Overture plans to make Content Match available in the six international territories in which it currently operates, as well as in the new markets
into which it plans to expand by the end of 2003. Google, the No. 1 Web search company in the U.S., and Sprinks, a property of magazine publisher Primedia Inc., already provide similar services.
According to the announcement, Overture is already distributing Content Match to MSN, Edmunds.com, the MyFamily Network of sites, the Away Network and Advertising.com. "It is a real testament to the
quality of the product that, at launch, we are distributing Content Match to leading businesses such as MSN, as well as to other primarily content-oriented websites," said Bill Demas, senior vice
president and general manager of Overture's Partner Business and Solutions Group. Overture estimates that the market for contextual advertising could reach $2 billion within five years.
