Freeserve to offer personalised ads

Jane Wakefield ZDNet.co.uk

Published: 22 Nov 1999 17:34 GMT

In conjunction with iWeb, the Internet messaging firm, Freeserve has been trialling a system called iNotes among a thousand Freeserve customers. According to the ISP, iNotes yielded ten times higher click-through rates than traditional banner ads.

Users subscribing to iNotes will have messages crossing their screen, displaying a message or advert. They are sent approximately once every five minutes. As well as adverts the notes also contained news, sports and TV listings.

According to Freeserve, 88 percent of users found the service valuable and unobtrusive. "User feedback has proved to be very positive indeed," said Freeserve's chief executive officer John Pluthero. "82 percent of trial users said they would like to see an increase in the frequency of messages."