One aspect of Google TV that has received criticism from users is the presence of ads in some sections of the main UI. However, the company is reportedly looking for ways to make ads less disruptive and more interactive. In line with that, Google TV is receiving ads with QR codes that you can scan from your phone.
Google is rolling out ads with QR codes on Google TV
The new ads with QR codes make the experience of receiving more information about a new show easier. Simply scan the QR code to access the details page of the show or series if you’re interested. It’s noteworthy that the Mountain View giant has been seeking direct feedback from Google TV users. Some users have been receiving surveys asking about their experience with ads on the platform. Google mainly wanted to know if people felt they were receiving too many ads.
Google may have responded to the feedback it received in recent weeks by introducing the new ads with QR codes.
The presence of ads on Google TV has also been growing gradually. Initially, the ads only appeared on the main home screen, but they eventually expanded to the “For You” tab. The ads are “camouflaged” among the recommendations of shows or movies from your favorite streaming services. However, the “sponsored content” message lets you know what they really are. Ads with self-playing videos that include audio have also been reported, which can be quite annoying.
Ads for products are popping up as well
Plus, the company has been integrating ads for products not related to streaming platforms, including physical ones and websites, such as an Xbox ad. The integration of QR codes could create a more interactive experience with this type of ad, in particular, facilitating the experience of purchasing products.
In any case, let’s hope that QR codes will enable users to select whether they want to receive the ad details. Allowing people to choose whether to view more details would be a much better option than being forced to. However, there are still areas where the new ad format could be improved. For example, currently, QR codes can be very large, feeling “clunky” in the UI when they appear.
