TheFind announced today an innovative new advertising unit: Mouse Over Banners. Here’s the press release.

While the other shopping engines struggle to create a loyal user base (partly because they’re incentivized not to - if they are paying for an incoming click, they have to monetize that user with an outgoing click ASAP), TheFind continues to provide a pleasurable shopping experience where consumers can leisurely browse through a ton of products. As opposed to monetizing on a quick CPC exit, TheFind is taking advantage of high CPM rates.

Not sure exactly how this Mouse Over Banner program will play out. Siva’s language in the press release made me think of Adware *cringe*. I really hope merchants are not able to use the Mouse Over Banner as an Adware module; mouse over a Macy’s product and see an ad for Nordstroms. This would be a terrible step in the absolutely wrong direction. I’d much rather see these banners allow merchants to highlight promotional messaging - coupons, sales, special offers, cross-sell, in-store offers, etc. Think of it as an ‘add on’ service that you see on Shopping.com and the rest of the shopping engines.