Will You "Like" Ads?

Google +1 buttons went live on display advertising today.  They follow Digg's "diggable" and Facebook's "Likeable" banner ads. 

So it is believed that we will start tagging our personal endorsements onto display advertising in the social media universe. 

Will you?

First of all let's be clear, unless you're talking about an extraordinarily funny or clever ad, it is really the products we will endorse, or the brands, not the ads. 

I'm thinking that I'm going to have to feel very strongly about a product before I "like," "digg" or "+1" it.  Don't think this is something I'll be doing a whole lot of.  

But that's probably the point, isn't it?

If I endorse it, and I rarely will, it will mean that I really, really like it.  And that might mean something to you if you're in the market for that sort of thing.  I will probably respond the same way if you "like, etc., etc." an ad.  After all, you my friend.  I supposedly trust you and respect your judgement.  

This strategy is new, intriguing, and I can see a ton of potential in brand building.  It also makes me under about the business of celebrity endorsements.  Will the social media remain its idealistic self and shun paid endorsements?  As a consumer I hope so.  It would be nice to be able to think that all those opinions are honest, not tainted by a bushel of money.  As a marketer, however, I think there may be some interesting possibilities.  If my best friend and Payton Manning both think this ad/product is great, wow!  That's a much stronger endorsement than either of them alone could make.  We will have to wait to see how it shakes out.

I will leave you with this thought:  I may totally mislead you if a very clever ad for, oh... let's say Depends makes me laugh so hard that I "like" it on a lark.  Be forewarned... I know nothing about the product.  (I'm ignoring all snide comments...  ignoring them!)