AS with what happens to most popular apps, Pokemon Go will soon open itself up to advertising.
Thankfully, the developers are taking a subtle approach to this to ensure this doesn’t mean intrusive ads popping up on your screen when you are just about to catch that wild Kangaskhan.
Niantic chief executive John Hanke told Financial Times that “sponsored locations” would provide an additional revenue stream from the mobile game.
This means businesses will be able to pay to be featured as a landmark on the game’s virtual map, which will likely bring an influx of customers and revenue for the companies involved.
Mr Hanke said the model would charge advertisers on a “cost per visit” basis, which is similar to Google’s “cost per click” search advertising.
The idea will likely be popular with businesses, as the game has already proved it can drive customers into their stores.
L’inizio Pizza Bar in Queens paid $A13 for an in-app lure to attract Pokemon to the store, which saw business increase by 75 per cent.
Owner Tom Lattanzio said he would have never predicted the impact the app would have on his business.
“The amount of people has been astonishing,” he told the New York Post.
“All day long, from afternoon to evening this past weekend.”
Local outlets in Australia are even getting in on the action with similar ideas, while secretly hoping the trend doesn’t end.
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