MySpace now has 900 million more "friends." Yes, now we know that MySpace does have a business model; that is, start a frenzy with Google, MSN and Yahoo.
You see, Google said it will pay at least $900 million to be the exclusive search engine and text-ad system for MySpace. It's a multi-year deal that lasts through 2009.
Hey, then again, Google has a money printer. And, it needs to do whatever it can to protect it. Given that MySpace is the most trafficked site on the Web, a $900 million down-stroke does seem reasonable. Besides, about a tenth of Google's traffic already comes from MySpace.
What is puzzling is that Microsoft did not get aggressive with the MySpace bidding. Of course, it has tons and tons of cash. If it really wants to win the war for search, it needs to make bold bets.
The irony is that when Rupert Murdoch bought MySpace a year ago, Wall Street thought he had finally succumbed to Alzheimer's. Spend $580 million on this weird thing? Well, it shows that Murdoch is the über-media mogul. No contest. Sorry, Steve Ballmer.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
8-08-2006 @ 4:40PM
Gordon Anderson said...
Google has search reduced to a "formula" and they can keep going from company to company to extend their reach. By the time that Microsoft and Yahoo get their act together[if they ever do] it will be too late. Sort of like the Trojan Horse "we are upon you."