Google’s Free Ad Server, Ad Manager, accepting applications for beta.

Google has rolled out a new Ad Manager service targeted at the small to mid sized publisher sites.

Google Ad Manager offers a wide array of inventory management, trafficking, targeting and reporting tools normally found in premium ad serving software or services for free.

Currently the list of features implemented in Google’s Ad Manager service includes:

Inventory Management

- Inventory levels: Maximize traffic and efficiency with granular level inventory management. Ad slots in Ad Manager allow for simple tag generation, and the ability to bundle and sell inventory packages with the same targeting and cost criteria.

- Simple Integration- Ad Manager will generate all the tags needed for implementation. Simply copy and paste the tags into your html. No need to ever re-tag and i-frame tags are available upon request.

- Inventory tracking: Google Ad Manager makes it easy to confirm available ad inventory based on specific dates, placements, and targeting criteria. No worries about overbooking ads or underselling your ad serving capacity.

Yield Optimization

- Google Ad Manager will allow for Google Ad Sense integration for filling unsold inventory or to compete against other revenue streams.

Ad Targeting

- Targeting options: Google Ad Manager will allow you to target ads based on several visitor metrics including: geography, bandwidth, browser, browser language, operating system, and domain.
- Custom targeting: Target ad impressions by developing and installing your own ad serving criteria to Ad Manager.

Trafficking, Ad Delivery, and Order Booking

- 5 Types of Delivery Options: Set delivery type to one of 5 levels: exclusive, priority, standard, remnant, or house. Google Ad Manager will determine, automatically, how ads may be delivered.
- Pricing models: Ad Manager supports cost/thousand impressions (CPM), cost/click (CPC), and cost/day (CPD) pricing models.
- Frequency Levels: Google Ad Manager allows multiple levels of frequency capping, which limit the number of ads the same visitor sees over a predetermined unit of time (hour, day, week, etc…).
- Google Infrastructure: Google’s technology and resources should ensure fast, reliable ad serving.

Creatives and Rich Media Management

- Rich media support: Google Ad Managers tags support a variety of rich media formats.
- Redirect Support: Ad Manager tracks ads from a third-party network, affiliate provider, or other URL you provide.
- Free Ad Hosting: Google will host ad creatives. Save bandwidth and associated costs.
Reporting

- Fast, Sortable Reports: Run reports on inventory performance, overall sales, order delivery. Break down reports by date, advertiser, line item, and placement. Ad Manager creates reports in seconds and allows sorting & other edits without leaving the page or running a new report.
- Media Rating Council (MRC) accredited: Google Ad Manager is accredited by the Media Rating Council to be fully compliant with Interactive Advertising Bureau standards.

User Interface
- Search functionality: Search from any page in Ad Manager. Locate order, inventory, or advertiser data in seconds.
- Intuitive workflows: Simplistic but powerful interface allows quick and easy order creation, approval, & review.
- Browser session support: Use your browser’s navigation functions, such as the ‘Back’ button, without losing data.

Administration

- Access controls: Google Ad Manager allow you to set viewing and editing permissions & define individual responsibilities. Ad Manager will also store advertiser and agency company information allowing for easy management and reporting.