Anyone still think Microsoft shouldn’t be shaking in their boots yet? Google recently snatched up Doubeclick for advertising, but Doubleclick owns Performics, a very large SEO company. Considering Google has their gunsights set against any SEO practices, even “whitehat” techniques, it seems Performics could become the “unwanted relative” of the group. I’m only speculating, but Google might just feel uncomfortable owning Performics, given their perceived anti-SEO stance.
Their purchase of Doubleclick is of course a coup against Microsoft (and Yahoo). And now, they’ve just introduced their own web-based presentation tool, thanks to the purchase of Tonic Systems. It’s very much the same as Microsoft Powerpoint. What’s left? Google Money?
Google does have a suite of great tools. I use at least 2-5 of them daily. But it seems to me that Google is on the same type of acquisition trend that IBM went on in the 1980s, and Microsoft in the 1990s. If Google competitors haven’t started complaining about anti-competitive practices, they will be soon.
The difference is, how do you regulate the Internet, and who should do it? And the bigger question: since history would suggest it, what company will replace Google in the next decade, go on an acquisition trail, peeve every one off, and be replaced in the following decade? Does the company even exist yet, or will we see their appearance in 2008-9?
Originally posted on April 18, 2007 @ 12:25 pm
MySpace and/or Facebook
They have a long way to go. Twice now I have been suckered into relying on customized home page for content and sent months setting it up as I want. Yesterday, for the second time in six mnths, I worte Google telling them I could no longer add gadgets or feeds, and their only solution was to erase everything with a reset and start all over again.
Can you imagine Microsoft telling that to its users and staying in business? If you use Google apps, you do so at your own risk — and I say that as a person who thinks they are the very best.
Would it benefit Big G to buy either, you think? Slap! What am I saying. Of course it would.