Middle East Sparks Interest in Literature

As the minds of people around the world focused on the fighting in the Middle East, millions of computer users came across ads offering literature that could help them make sense of the confusing and dangerous situation.

From July 1 to 20, more than 7 million searchers looking for information about the crisis in the Middle East had a link to an ad for The Middle East in Bible Prophecy appear on their computer screens. For several days this was occurring at the pace of more than a million impressions a day! Of these, 32,000 clicked on the link to find more information, and 2,200 ordered the booklet.

This spike of interest—like earlier spikes related to Easter (see "Google and Yahoo Advertising Peak Around 'Easter,'" May United News), The Da Vinci Code movie and the Indian Ocean tsunami—is just the most visible part of a major keyword advertising effort. The Church pays to have related booklet ads linked to hundreds of specific keywords through the Google and Yahoo search engines. These ads also appear alongside related news items.

This also contributed to the number of daily visitors doubling at gnmagazine.org in late July. "Our booklet ads have also appeared within the Time magazine and Washington Post Web sites," said Aaron Booth, Internet managing editor. "On this booklet ad Web page, individuals can view a short ad clip from the Beyond Today TV program, and download or request the free booklet."

At the Compass Check July 24, Clyde Kilough stated this keyword advertising program is "very cost-effective," coming out to about 10 cents per click or about $1.90 per response.

"We have a tool now that we never had before" to reach interested people with God's truth, said Mr. Kilough. "Pray that God will open their minds." UN