IAC’s Ask.com already uses Google’s text ads, but hitherto, it’s still used its own search algorithm, which it acquired when it bought Teoma. Teoma and Wisenut were once considered to be potential Google killers, Ask Jeeves bought Teoma; Looksmart bought WiseNut.
Anyway, Ask.com already uses Google’s text ads and when Google filed to go public, it was disclosed that Google was giving Ask a 110% revenue share. That’s right, Google was essentially paying off Ask.com for market share. However, IAC always maintained that one day, it might launch its own ad platform, too. This always seemed to be a hollow threat, because Google has created the world’s most effective and valuable advertising marketplace… it did not make sense for Ask.com to do that, frankly. continue reading...
CNET paid $20.5M for FindArticles last week and bought it from Looksmart, who made it official today.
CNET has about $50M in cash and has set up a $250M credit facility to buy more assets I presume. They also just sold Webshots to American Greetings from some $45M. continue reading...
The search industry has been putting too much of a premium on paid results at the detriment of organic results.
Well, not so fast. The quintet of mass search - Google, Yahoo!, MSN, Ask.com and AOL - have focused on both organic and paid, but the laggards have not, and the market caps - and market shares - of these is a reflection. This quintet also battles for mass search supremacy, leaving a great opening for niche players. continue reading...
I guess it’s time to roll out the stock market cliches.
Back in 2000, I used to work at Mamma.com, the so-called “Mother of All Search Engines.” I worked there before the search engine industry took off, before the stock price tripled in price in one day, before Mark Cuban bought and sold his shares in the company. continue reading...
