Google+ Launches Showcase To Show Rich Media To Viewers Of Hangouts On Air

Google+ rolled out a new interactive feature for Hangouts on Air today, giving producers the ability to show viewers links to websites, videos, merchandise and other content being discussed during live events.

The Showcase app displays links with rich-media cards on the right-hand side of the Hangout’s video player during the broadcast. If viewers click, the content opens in a new tab while the HOA continues playing. Here’s how it looked during an HOA this week to promote Common’s new album (click to view the tape of the event):

The new feature should be especially useful for marketers and businesses interested in using Hangouts for direct sales. Since last October, Google has been testing “Shoppable Hangouts” with retailers such as Diane von Furstenberg, Birchbox and Sunglass Hut.

The Showcase app will allow any retailer or direct marketer to set up a sales-oriented live event (although any payment and sales process still needs to be set up in Google Wallet or third-party site).

Hangout producers can active the app within the HOA dashboard. For more details, see Google+’s how-to guide (PDF).