Media Resources

More Than 20,000 Visitors Have Seen the Presumably "World's Smallest Banner Advertisement"

Berlin (Germany), May 20, 2007

The 1-pixel sized banner advertisement of Peter Debik from Berlin, Germany, has welcomed visitor # 20,000 lately. Up to now, almost all visitors have clicked on the pixel to find out, what's hidden behind it. The pixel is not only the presumably world's smallest banner advertisement but a very effective banner ad, too.

Berlin, May 5, 2007. One year ago, Peter Debik (36) from Berlin, Germany, has put a single pixel on a web page. The pixel works like a banner advertisement: Site visitors can click on it and are forwarded to a hidden website of an advertiser. Normally only one to three percent of internet users click on banner ads, but this pixel has a 96 percent click-rate. Almost every visitor clicks on it, because it is placed prominently and inviting. Further, it appeals to click on the presumably world's smallest advertisement (on average computer monitors, the pixel measures 1/64 square inch only).

The homepage this pixel is seen on is fitly named "you-cant-resist.com". The pixel is auctioned on eBay every week. The highest bid can determine the redirection target for a full week. The auction winner brings hundreds of visitors to his website. Within a year, more than 20,000 visitors have seen the pixel. At a click-rate of 96% this makes 19,200 clicks for the advertisers. Some of them were lucky to get the pixel for only 1 Euro. This however got rare. While the pixel becomes known better on the Internet, its market value rises. More and more visitors click on it, which leads to an increased advertising effect for the advertiser.

Images

Screenshot of the pixel homepage, TIFF image, 828 x 665

Screenshot of the eBay auction page, TIFF image, 957 x 753

Portrait of "pixel inventor" Peter Debik, TIFF image, 348 x 482

Publication royalty-free.