Comments on: Israel’s Kontera Nails $10.3 Million Second Round From Sequoia And Others http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/12/israels-kontera-nails-103-million-second-round-from-sequoia-and-others/ Startup and Technology News Mon, 21 Jul 2008 00:35:01 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Kim http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/12/israels-kontera-nails-103-million-second-round-from-sequoia-and-others/#comment-1558601 Kim Thu, 16 Aug 2007 07:32:43 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/12/israels-kontera-nails-103-million-second-round-from-sequoia-and-others/#comment-1558601 I'm not sure what you guys are complaining about. These kind of ads are mostly hidden out of view. Once you get the hang of it, you simply keep the mouse away from them. These in-text ads are still a new concept and we haven't gotten used to them, but they have potential. I’m not sure what you guys are complaining about. These kind of ads are mostly hidden out of view. Once you get the hang of it, you simply keep the mouse away from them. These in-text ads are still a new concept and we haven’t gotten used to them, but they have potential.

]]> By: Miriam http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/12/israels-kontera-nails-103-million-second-round-from-sequoia-and-others/#comment-1555771 Miriam Tue, 14 Aug 2007 14:54:28 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/12/israels-kontera-nails-103-million-second-round-from-sequoia-and-others/#comment-1555771 I think Kontera is just plain sneaky. First of all, it looks almost exactly like a hyperlink. When I first came across them I remember clicking by mistake only to find some annoying ad in my face. Second, don't tell me that people are clicking on those ads because they're interested in the advertised product. There's no advertisement there - it's just a word. Seeing the word "Ford" in a sentence does not mean I want to see an ad about it. Basically, they don't earn the clicks, and to me that's sneaky. I think Kontera is just plain sneaky. First of all, it looks almost exactly like a hyperlink. When I first came across them I remember clicking by mistake only to find some annoying ad in my face.

Second, don’t tell me that people are clicking on those ads because they’re interested in the advertised product. There’s no advertisement there - it’s just a word. Seeing the word “Ford” in a sentence does not mean I want to see an ad about it.

Basically, they don’t earn the clicks, and to me that’s sneaky.

]]> By: Colin Klinkert http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/12/israels-kontera-nails-103-million-second-round-from-sequoia-and-others/#comment-1555503 Colin Klinkert Tue, 14 Aug 2007 11:19:47 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/12/israels-kontera-nails-103-million-second-round-from-sequoia-and-others/#comment-1555503 I mentioned before that John Chow uses this and it makes him a fair amount. He has just blogged about it again then. I am not sure if i will use it when my site gets popular enough (goal is 2 months) because personally they don't annoy me, but I wouldn't like to annoy my users so i might have a poll nearer the time ;) I mentioned before that John Chow uses this and it makes him a fair amount. He has just blogged about it again then. I am not sure if i will use it when my site gets popular enough (goal is 2 months) because personally they don’t annoy me, but I wouldn’t like to annoy my users

so i might have a poll nearer the time ;)

]]> By: Bhasker V Kode http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/12/israels-kontera-nails-103-million-second-round-from-sequoia-and-others/#comment-1555493 Bhasker V Kode Tue, 14 Aug 2007 10:58:16 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/12/israels-kontera-nails-103-million-second-round-from-sequoia-and-others/#comment-1555493 I wonder how the company is doing. The Returnable Project, does this kind of dotted in-text premptive tooltips as well . But instead of showing ads, you can show content, links, and what not . Besides, it's open source , so that makes customization easier. Keep Clicking, Bhasker V Kode Lead Architect, The Returnable Project I wonder how the company is doing. The Returnable Project, does this kind of dotted in-text premptive tooltips as well . But instead of showing ads, you can show content, links, and what not . Besides, it’s open source , so that makes customization easier.

Keep Clicking,

Bhasker V Kode
Lead Architect, The Returnable Project

]]> By: Creeper http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/12/israels-kontera-nails-103-million-second-round-from-sequoia-and-others/#comment-1555266 Creeper Tue, 14 Aug 2007 06:14:37 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/12/israels-kontera-nails-103-million-second-round-from-sequoia-and-others/#comment-1555266 Stone is right. I just found out that Kontera is originally Ezula. Remember that really horrible spyware company. They have the same senior people in SF and same Founders who has caused a lot of people a lot of grief. Oh my god!!!!!! Stone is right.

I just found out that Kontera is originally Ezula. Remember that really horrible spyware company. They have the same senior people in SF and same Founders who has caused a lot of people a lot of grief. Oh my god!!!!!!

]]> By: stone http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/12/israels-kontera-nails-103-million-second-round-from-sequoia-and-others/#comment-1554811 stone Mon, 13 Aug 2007 22:28:52 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/12/israels-kontera-nails-103-million-second-round-from-sequoia-and-others/#comment-1554811 They're a bullshit company that's been struggling to gain respect for years now. This round of funding hasn't changed anything. They’re a bullshit company that’s been struggling to gain respect for years now. This round of funding hasn’t changed anything.

]]> By: The Buxr Widget http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/12/israels-kontera-nails-103-million-second-round-from-sequoia-and-others/#comment-1554416 The Buxr Widget Mon, 13 Aug 2007 17:55:06 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/12/israels-kontera-nails-103-million-second-round-from-sequoia-and-others/#comment-1554416 I don't like these types of Ads either.. But clearly someone is clicking on them, and people are making money. I don’t like these types of Ads either.. But clearly someone is clicking on them, and people are making money.

]]> By: Chad W. http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/12/israels-kontera-nails-103-million-second-round-from-sequoia-and-others/#comment-1554368 Chad W. Mon, 13 Aug 2007 17:18:29 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/12/israels-kontera-nails-103-million-second-round-from-sequoia-and-others/#comment-1554368 Funny how many people say that they "know" the quality of this kind of traffic. My company runs advertising on banners and in-text and I cna tell you that we have been really impressed with the performance (measured on a CPA basis). If you believe that 1/2 of the clicks are garbage, then the other 1/2 is really amazing performing. Don't knock new technologies until you've tried it! Funny how many people say that they “know” the quality of this kind of traffic. My company runs advertising on banners and in-text and I cna tell you that we have been really impressed with the performance (measured on a CPA basis). If you believe that 1/2 of the clicks are garbage, then the other 1/2 is really amazing performing.

Don’t knock new technologies until you’ve tried it!

]]> By: Loner http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/12/israels-kontera-nails-103-million-second-round-from-sequoia-and-others/#comment-1554314 Loner Mon, 13 Aug 2007 16:45:04 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/12/israels-kontera-nails-103-million-second-round-from-sequoia-and-others/#comment-1554314 When I see the ads, they're usually relevant. I don't understand why people get so up in arms about these silly little ads that are in fact shown only when you stick your cursor on the double underlines--compared to when you see product placement and sponsorships right smack in the middle of tv shows and you see PAID bloggers out there online. It's up to the consumer to differentiate and also realize that paid ads are what keeps tons of content free on the web. When I see the ads, they’re usually relevant. I don’t understand why people get so up in arms about these silly little ads that are in fact shown only when you stick your cursor on the double underlines–compared to when you see product placement and sponsorships right smack in the middle of tv shows and you see PAID bloggers out there online. It’s up to the consumer to differentiate and also realize that paid ads are what keeps tons of content free on the web.

]]> By: Paul http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/12/israels-kontera-nails-103-million-second-round-from-sequoia-and-others/#comment-1554230 Paul Mon, 13 Aug 2007 15:48:37 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/12/israels-kontera-nails-103-million-second-round-from-sequoia-and-others/#comment-1554230 I've never cared for the kind of advertising that Kontera supplies. Like useful mentioned, their text links appear as clutter and unprofessional in many blogs - but I can certainly see the temptation. I’ve never cared for the kind of advertising that Kontera supplies. Like useful mentioned, their text links appear as clutter and unprofessional in many blogs - but I can certainly see the temptation.

]]> By: Thomas http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/12/israels-kontera-nails-103-million-second-round-from-sequoia-and-others/#comment-1554147 Thomas Mon, 13 Aug 2007 14:38:27 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/12/israels-kontera-nails-103-million-second-round-from-sequoia-and-others/#comment-1554147 Someone needs to point out that the content and traffic for a specific site will determine if Kontera's ads makes sense. If the traffic is composed of technically savvy readers, the answer is no. I have mostly come across sites using these ads when troubleshooting some HW, SW, or gadget. Anyone know if adblock plus removes these? Obviously, noscript does. Someone needs to point out that the content and traffic for a specific site will determine if Kontera’s ads makes sense. If the traffic is composed of technically savvy readers, the answer is no. I have mostly come across sites using these ads when troubleshooting some HW, SW, or gadget. Anyone know if adblock plus removes these? Obviously, noscript does.

]]> By: Amy Wilsch http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/12/israels-kontera-nails-103-million-second-round-from-sequoia-and-others/#comment-1554121 Amy Wilsch Mon, 13 Aug 2007 14:26:36 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/12/israels-kontera-nails-103-million-second-round-from-sequoia-and-others/#comment-1554121 Allen, step away from the drama creatr 2.0... Allen, step away from the drama creatr 2.0…

]]> By: Useful Concept http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/12/israels-kontera-nails-103-million-second-round-from-sequoia-and-others/#comment-1554087 Useful Concept Mon, 13 Aug 2007 14:03:19 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/12/israels-kontera-nails-103-million-second-round-from-sequoia-and-others/#comment-1554087 I used Kontera for a few months as a test. Granted I don't have a high traffic blog, but I found for the clutter it just wasn't worth it. The CTR is no where near 10%. For me it wasn't even 1%. Bottom line: they would be my last choice of the big advertising options. It is an interesting idea, but I would far prefer direct selling ad placement. More control, more relevancy and more money. I used Kontera for a few months as a test. Granted I don’t have a high traffic blog, but I found for the clutter it just wasn’t worth it. The CTR is no where near 10%. For me it wasn’t even 1%. Bottom line: they would be my last choice of the big advertising options. It is an interesting idea, but I would far prefer direct selling ad placement. More control, more relevancy and more money.

]]> By: Ravish http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/12/israels-kontera-nails-103-million-second-round-from-sequoia-and-others/#comment-1554042 Ravish Mon, 13 Aug 2007 13:22:37 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/12/israels-kontera-nails-103-million-second-round-from-sequoia-and-others/#comment-1554042 @Micheal: Kontera's CTR is less than 1% and average CPC is less than $0.05. CPM comes out to be around $0.35. Moreover, their reporting is kind of delayed and strange. They only report/monetize 60-70% of a website's page views. @Micheal:

Kontera’s CTR is less than 1% and average CPC is less than $0.05.
CPM comes out to be around $0.35. Moreover, their reporting is kind of delayed and strange. They only report/monetize 60-70% of a website’s page views.

]]> By: Bob http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/12/israels-kontera-nails-103-million-second-round-from-sequoia-and-others/#comment-1554028 Bob Mon, 13 Aug 2007 13:12:09 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/12/israels-kontera-nails-103-million-second-round-from-sequoia-and-others/#comment-1554028 I have often clicked on AdSense ads because they were relevant, unobtrusive, and clearly identified as ads. I hate those double underline ads because they're not relevant and they make the content harder to read. I was reading an article about tennis just a few minutes ago, and the word "server" was double underlined. And the tooltip showed that it's hawking web servers. Google succeeded by making ads work better for the user. YouTube deferred ads altogether to improve the user experience. This technology doesn't respect users nor does any website that uses it. I have often clicked on AdSense ads because they were relevant, unobtrusive, and clearly identified as ads.

I hate those double underline ads because they’re not relevant and they make the content harder to read. I was reading an article about tennis just a few minutes ago, and the word “server” was double underlined. And the tooltip showed that it’s hawking web servers.

Google succeeded by making ads work better for the user. YouTube deferred ads altogether to improve the user experience. This technology doesn’t respect users nor does any website that uses it.

]]> By: Ted http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/12/israels-kontera-nails-103-million-second-round-from-sequoia-and-others/#comment-1553969 Ted Mon, 13 Aug 2007 12:33:04 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/12/israels-kontera-nails-103-million-second-round-from-sequoia-and-others/#comment-1553969 Hi, I'm a publisher and am thinking of using Kontera. 1. Does anyone know where they get their advertisers? We don't want to cannibalize our own ad sales, and we're concerned about the level of advertising coming through Kontera. 2. Do any folks here have an idea what users think of Kontera? I get the feeling that it kind of makes users angry...am I wrong? 3. Does Kontera on site reduce the CTR of other ads? Thanks for your insights! Hi, I’m a publisher and am thinking of using Kontera. 1. Does anyone know where they get their advertisers? We don’t want to cannibalize our own ad sales, and we’re concerned about the level of advertising coming through Kontera. 2. Do any folks here have an idea what users think of Kontera? I get the feeling that it kind of makes users angry…am I wrong? 3. Does Kontera on site reduce the CTR of other ads?

Thanks for your insights!

]]> By: Mohammed Nour http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/12/israels-kontera-nails-103-million-second-round-from-sequoia-and-others/#comment-1553958 Mohammed Nour Mon, 13 Aug 2007 12:26:48 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/12/israels-kontera-nails-103-million-second-round-from-sequoia-and-others/#comment-1553958 @15: Read the first 3 comments on the post and you will know what I am talking about! @15:

Read the first 3 comments on the post and you will know what I am talking about!

]]> By: Martin http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/12/israels-kontera-nails-103-million-second-round-from-sequoia-and-others/#comment-1553796 Martin Mon, 13 Aug 2007 10:40:26 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/12/israels-kontera-nails-103-million-second-round-from-sequoia-and-others/#comment-1553796 I have at times read about a specific product or service, but had a problem finding more info on it (if I was interested in purchasing the product/service) due to poor UI. Kontera's ads allow people in one convenient click advance to the purchase section of a product/service. I think that Kontera's product is good for people that are not experts in using the net (such as my parents). If they read about a specific product or service and wish to purchase or get more info then they can just click on the keyword. In addition, I see no major difference between Kontera's ad product and adwords.....the difference is in the placing. Regarding the Israel post that Mr. Nour added, I think that it is beneficial to know where the company originated from. For some reason his post has a political buzz that I personally don't appreciate. I have at times read about a specific product or service, but had a problem finding more info on it (if I was interested in purchasing the product/service) due to poor UI. Kontera’s ads allow people in one convenient click advance to the purchase section of a product/service.
I think that Kontera’s product is good for people that are not experts in using the net (such as my parents). If they read about a specific product or service and wish to purchase or get more info then they can just click on the keyword. In addition, I see no major difference between Kontera’s ad product and adwords…..the difference is in the placing.

Regarding the Israel post that Mr. Nour added, I think that it is beneficial to know where the company originated from. For some reason his post has a political buzz that I personally don’t appreciate.

]]> By: Lig http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/12/israels-kontera-nails-103-million-second-round-from-sequoia-and-others/#comment-1553706 Lig Mon, 13 Aug 2007 09:36:36 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/12/israels-kontera-nails-103-million-second-round-from-sequoia-and-others/#comment-1553706 @14: Ha? Have you ever read American journalism? They always state where companies are based, e.g., "Detroit, MI based Acme Corporation has declared bla bla bla". @14:

Ha? Have you ever read American journalism? They always state where companies are based, e.g., “Detroit, MI based Acme Corporation has declared bla bla bla”.

]]> By: Mohammed Nour http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/12/israels-kontera-nails-103-million-second-round-from-sequoia-and-others/#comment-1553669 Mohammed Nour Mon, 13 Aug 2007 09:13:25 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/12/israels-kontera-nails-103-million-second-round-from-sequoia-and-others/#comment-1553669 I just have a question, when one of someone form Israel make some achievement in some field we directly showing up "Israel" in the image. why? In my opinion, when we're talking about any achievement, the achievement goes to the owners themselfs, not to their nationality or where they come from. I feel that you just want to inject Israel in the post. I just have a question, when one of someone form Israel make some achievement in some field we directly showing up “Israel” in the image. why? In my opinion, when we’re talking about any achievement, the achievement goes to the owners themselfs, not to their nationality or where they come from. I feel that you just want to inject Israel in the post.

]]> By: Ian http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/12/israels-kontera-nails-103-million-second-round-from-sequoia-and-others/#comment-1553348 Ian Mon, 13 Aug 2007 06:00:30 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/12/israels-kontera-nails-103-million-second-round-from-sequoia-and-others/#comment-1553348 I have to agree with the other comments here. These types of ads are VERY annoying and I have only clicked on them 1-2 times out of pure accident. Now that I am aware of them I don't bother, and I try staying away from sites that use them. It's just way to annoying to have something pop up every time a particular word is mentioned. I have to agree with the other comments here. These types of ads are VERY annoying and I have only clicked on them 1-2 times out of pure accident. Now that I am aware of them I don’t bother, and I try staying away from sites that use them. It’s just way to annoying to have something pop up every time a particular word is mentioned.

]]> By: Justin http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/12/israels-kontera-nails-103-million-second-round-from-sequoia-and-others/#comment-1553335 Justin Mon, 13 Aug 2007 05:50:21 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/12/israels-kontera-nails-103-million-second-round-from-sequoia-and-others/#comment-1553335 the ads suck. I can't imagine any user LIKES them. (Oh look,I'm reading an article about the declining quality of the american auto industry and every time the word FORD is mentioned, I can click to see an enticement to put in my zip to get the lowest price on an escalade?). No thanks. Not even better context solves the irritation of seeing all these double underlined words scattered around.. As someone pointed out, most of the clicks are mistakes. That is probably pumping the CTR of the product but sooner or later advertisers will realize it doesn't convert and the product will crash and burn, doomed to be run on spammy sites only. Its doomed for that reason, but the main reason is that it is (unlike adsense) ANNOYING for users. the ads suck. I can’t imagine any user LIKES them. (Oh look,I’m reading an article about the declining quality of the american auto industry and every time the word FORD is mentioned, I can click to see an enticement to put in my zip to get the lowest price on an escalade?). No thanks. Not even better context solves the irritation of seeing all these double underlined words scattered around..

As someone pointed out, most of the clicks are mistakes. That is probably pumping the CTR of the product but sooner or later advertisers will realize it doesn’t convert and the product will crash and burn, doomed to be run on spammy sites only.

Its doomed for that reason, but the main reason is that it is (unlike adsense) ANNOYING for users.

]]> By: Colin Klinkert http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/12/israels-kontera-nails-103-million-second-round-from-sequoia-and-others/#comment-1553324 Colin Klinkert Mon, 13 Aug 2007 05:43:14 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/12/israels-kontera-nails-103-million-second-round-from-sequoia-and-others/#comment-1553324 JohnChow uses this and pushes it quite strongly. It makes a fair income for him each month too i think, not just the ads, probably from referrals too JohnChow uses this and pushes it quite strongly.

It makes a fair income for him each month too i think, not just the ads, probably from referrals too

]]> By: Ron http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/12/israels-kontera-nails-103-million-second-round-from-sequoia-and-others/#comment-1553301 Ron Mon, 13 Aug 2007 05:27:25 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/12/israels-kontera-nails-103-million-second-round-from-sequoia-and-others/#comment-1553301 Mat, If these clicks didn't convert these companies wouldn't be with us. It's not the 2000 bubble anymore. People are tracking everything. As for the user experience. Well, who likes ads right?! Mat,
If these clicks didn’t convert these companies wouldn’t be with us. It’s not the 2000 bubble anymore. People are tracking everything.

As for the user experience. Well, who likes ads right?!

]]> By: Ankur Mittal http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/12/israels-kontera-nails-103-million-second-round-from-sequoia-and-others/#comment-1553271 Ankur Mittal Mon, 13 Aug 2007 04:49:43 +0000 http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/08/12/israels-kontera-nails-103-million-second-round-from-sequoia-and-others/#comment-1553271 Thanx for the information Thanx for the information

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