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Hey Google — You’ve got AOL!

Started by mathewi · 1 year ago

According to a blizzard of reports, starting with the Wall Street Journal and now including the New York Times, the Washington Post, and Reuters, Google is close to a deal to take a five-per-cent stake in America Online for $1-billion (U.S.). This, of course, is only the latest in ... Continue reading »

7 comments

  • Stuart MacDonald

    3 years ago

    Regardless of the competitive blocking, revenue protecting, MS losing etc. funsy aspects of this still-not-done deal, I soooo agree with John on the real spectre here. Preferencing aol, no matter how they do it, would put a bullet through their brand promise and call their worthiness as the repository of everything into serious question. The $1b is relative chump change; agreeing to an Indecent Proposal would be a colossal price to pay.

    Let's hope it's not true.

    - Stuart
    reply
  • Mathew

    3 years ago

    Is it really that serious, Stuart? I admit, if Google starts providing AOL links high up on the page mixed in with the rest of a search, that's a big problem -- but it sounds like they're planning to have them listed separately in a box on the lower right-hand side (below the AdWords ads, I assume), and clearly marked as AOL -- is that really so bad?
    reply
  • Stuart MacDonald

    3 years ago

    Execution will be everything. A side box, clearly outlined like AdWords results are -- and just as relevant -- should pass muster. But, if they put a special dog team of Maximizer folks inside AOL's offices to sprinkle bonus pixie dust that magically moves their unpaid placement from Number 1.752 million to Number 7 -- ya, baby, that's a Big Deal.

    - Stuart
    reply
  • Mathew

    3 years ago

    I agree -- it is all about how it's done, and how it's flagged to the user. If AOL crap... er, content seems to float magically to the top of all my searches, then I agree a flame war is in order :-)
    reply
  • Stuart MacDonald

    3 years ago

    Now now... they must have something to offer :)

    In fact, did you know that AOL.ca has climbed to Number Two in terms of reach on the Canadian web, per ComScore? I just learned that last Wednesday and was super surprised. 14 million monthly uniques to MSN-Sympatico's 17 million (all numbers on a roll-up basis). With essentially no homepage-preset user base and a relatively recent open-doors content approach in Canada, this is darn impressive results, even allowing for the usual +/- 20% ComScore wobble. AOL US should be paying attention...

    - Stuart
    reply
  • Mathew

    3 years ago

    Hmmmm... that is interesting. I wonder what would be driving that kind of traffic? I didn't realize they were quite that big.
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  • Stuart MacDonald

    3 years ago

    I was blown away when I learned it. They have apparently acquired some sites with strong traffic in specific verticals. I'd need to dig into the ComScore data to better understand it (and I don't have a subscription anymore - how about a comp, Brent? ;)) and it is not impossible that this is a one-month-wonder (you used to be able to pop your MediaMetrix reach numbers for a one-time gain big time via pop-unders, promos etc. back in the day -- less so now). But still noteworthy.

    Gifts to wrap.

    - Stuart
    reply

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