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Google is buying sectors of the internet? Absurd?

by Jeffery
35 replies
Over the past few months I have been reading here on the WF, SEO sites that Google has been actively buying websites that represent what some call different sectors of the internet.

The most recent, to my knowledge, is the: travel sector. Specifically:
Googles Acquisition of travel-guide publisher Frommers

For those of us that utilize (not depend) on the search engines for traffic this means to me, we as Internet Marketers possibly face more competition and in many ways the ultimate competition being Google itself. My logic is, for example, if I wanted to market a website in the travel industry (Google Sector if I may) then my competitors in the Google Search Engine are established websites and ultimately Google's own travel sector. Absurd? Hope that makes some sort of sense.

I can imagine many ways that Google could swing visitors to their own affiliations and that worries me.

Should we be concerned or not? I think so.

Jeffery 100% :-)
#google-buying-sectors #mortgages leeds
  • Profile picture of the author Benjam1n
    Yes. Time to stop relying on google for traffic!
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  • Profile picture of the author mosthost
    You should be VERY concerned. At least as concerned as a local store when a Walmart opens.
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  • Profile picture of the author Robert M Gouge
    Originally Posted by Jeffery View Post

    Over the past few months I have been reading here on the WF, SEO sites that Google has been actively buying websites that represent what some call different sectors of the internet.

    The most recent, to my knowledge, is the: travel sector. Specifically:
    Googles Acquisition of travel-guide publisher Frommers

    For those of us that utilize (not depend) on the search engines for traffic this means to me, we as Internet Marketers possibly face more competition and in many ways the ultimate competition being Google itself. My logic is, for example, if I wanted to market a website in the travel industry (Google Sector if I may) then my competitors in the Google Search Engine are established websites and ultimately Google's own travel sector. Absurd? Hope that makes some sort of sense.

    I can imagine many ways that Google could swing visitors to their own affiliations and that worries me.

    Should we be concerned or not? I think so.

    Jeffery 100% :-)
    Google is already giving preferential rankings to their own properties in the organic search.

    Before setting up my site, I had put up a blogger blog with the same name to test out a plugin for a different site. A couple months later, I start this site, put up content and what not, start building links for direct traffic (not for back-linking, screw Google) and Google indexes me.

    With multiple sources pointing to my main site and zero pointing to the blogger blog, I couldn't outrank the blogger site for my site name, Prosperity Clicks. Keep in mind the blogger blog had one page of spam content, less than 500 words and nothing else.

    So, by buying up multiple "sectors," I have little doubt they will give their new properties similar bonuses in the SERPs.

    It should be obvious that "optimal" for Google is having an entire search engine of paid advertising listings and nothing else.

    Would be pretty naive to think that they aren't doing everything in their power to come closer to that goal.
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  • Profile picture of the author Baadier Sydow
    I agree with OP, they have an instant "list" at their fingertips though you have to add that it isnt alway rosy, Google Buzz much?
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    Baadier Sydow
    Budget Furniture

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  • Profile picture of the author MrMonetize
    Google are greedy and are trying to be the rulers of the internet. Getting involved in every aspect of our online lives. They are making their results suit their own agenda whilst cutting out the little man. I've read loads on them recently and honestly their policies stink.
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  • Profile picture of the author Joseph Robinson
    Banned
    I'm good until they start trying to build a Death Star .
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    • Profile picture of the author Jeffery
      Originally Posted by Benjam1n View Post

      Yes. Time to stop relying on google for traffic!
      Well, I would agree that we should not rely solely on Google for traffic.

      Originally Posted by mosthost View Post

      You should be VERY concerned. At least as concerned as a local store when a Walmart opens.
      That makes good sense in that Walmart is a huge store compared to small stores and would swing people because they have a bigger inventory compared to a small business with a limited inventory. In many ways it is similar to Affiliate Marketers with small sites promoting limited amazon products.

      Originally Posted by Robert M Gouge View Post

      Google is already giving preferential rankings to their own properties in the organic search.

      Before setting up my site, I had put up a blogger blog with the same name to test out a plugin for a different site. A couple months later, I start this site, put up content and what not, start building links for direct traffic (not for back-linking, screw Google) and Google indexes me.

      With multiple sources pointing to my main site and zero pointing to the blogger blog, I couldn't outrank the blogger site for my site name, Prosperity Clicks. Keep in mind the blogger blog had one page of spam content, less than 500 words and nothing else.

      So, by buying up multiple "sectors," I have little doubt they will give their new properties similar bonuses in the SERPs.

      It should be obvious that "optimal" for Google is having an entire search engine of paid advertising listings and nothing else.

      Would be pretty naive to think that they aren't doing everything in their power to come closer to that goal.
      Actually I read about that here somewhere.

      Originally Posted by Baadier Sydow View Post

      I agree with OP, they have an instant "list" at their fingertips though you have to add that it isnt alway rosy, Google Buzz much?
      List?

      Originally Posted by MrMonetize View Post

      Google are greedy and are trying to be the rulers of the internet. Getting involved in every aspect of our online lives. They are making their results suit their own agenda whilst cutting out the little man. I've read loads on them recently and honestly their policies stink.
      It appears that way to a lot of people. My own assessment is not set in stone at this time, but I'm leaning that way to be honest.

      Originally Posted by Joseph Robinson View Post

      I'm good until they start trying to build a Death Star .
      Who says they haven't? With so many acquisitions in targeted sectors of the internet one of the things on the table will definitely be content. One of my concerns how much of their own copy will be indexed compared to how much of our copy will be in the supplement index because our copy is "similar". After all, it appears to a lot of people that Google is slowing buying up our niches.

      Jeffery 100% :-)
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      • Profile picture of the author Joseph Robinson
        Banned
        Originally Posted by Jeffery View Post

        Who says they haven't? With so many acquisitions in targeted sectors of the internet one of the things on the table will definitely be content. One of my concerns how much of their own copy will be indexed compared to how much of our copy will be in the supplement index because our copy is "similar". After all, it appears to a lot of people that Google is slowing buying up our niches.
        Not saying your wrong; it's definitely worth keeping an eye on. I don't know about other people, but my niches (and the syndication I use for the crux of the traffic) aren't Google dependent now and can probably be moved offline should Google balloon to the point where I just can't continue to matter no matter what.

        Gotta have a backup plan guys. Adapt or die.
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        • Profile picture of the author Jeffery
          Originally Posted by Joseph Robinson View Post

          Not saying your wrong; it's definitely worth keeping an eye on. I don't know about other people, but my niches (and the syndication I use for the crux of the traffic) aren't Google dependent now and can probably be moved offline should Google balloon to the point where I just can't continue to matter no matter what.

          Gotta have a backup plan guys. Adapt or die.
          Agree and though I may be wrong, but I do not think Article Syndication will be affected, but Article Marketing and Content Marketing may very well have to change as we know it today.

          Gotta have a backup plan guys. Adapt or die.
          ^ Best Advise ^

          I do have an idea about how to adapt, but it is expensive and hardly worth the ROI. Have to start thinking out of the box me thinks.

          Thanks Joe.

          Jeffery 100% :-)
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          • Profile picture of the author Joseph Robinson
            Banned
            Originally Posted by Jeffery View Post

            Have to start thinking out of the box me thinks.
            Or get the X-Wings ready to take Google out. I'll watch from the safety of the ground, unless I get to be Wedge or Han. Definitely not Porkins though. Never Porkins.


            (It's the only of the Family Guy clips I could find so don't mind the stupid title at the beginning).
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            • Profile picture of the author Jeffery
              Originally Posted by Joseph Robinson View Post

              Or get the X-Wings ready to take Google out. I'll watch from the safety of the ground, unless I get to be Wedge or Han. Definitely not Porkins though. Never Porkins.

              Cover me porkins - YouTube

              (It's the only of the Family Guy clips I could find so don't mind the stupid title at the beginning).
              Take Google out is an option that many would take seriously. There are ways that could be accomplished and companies bigger than Google have been taken out. But not by me as I am too small of a business to take Google out.

              Watch from the safety of the ground is not an option for me and many others. Rather, I prefer what you said earlier "Gotta have a backup plan guys. Adapt or die."

              Jeffery 100% :-)
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              • Profile picture of the author Bonadza Vojo
                You gotta understand, it's a business. They're just looking to do whatever is best for their business, and their expansion.

                For us? It might not be a good thing. But we shouldn't rely on google anyway for our business. I personally don't rely on them at all.
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                • Profile picture of the author Jeffery
                  Originally Posted by Bonadza Dan View Post

                  You gotta understand, it's a business. They're just looking to do whatever is best for their business, and their expansion.

                  For us? It might not be a good thing. But we shouldn't rely on google anyway for our business. I personally don't rely on them at all.
                  We should do the same: "Google is a business and looking to do whatever is best for their business, and their expansion."

                  I think everyone here understands that Google is a business and they are doing what is best for their business. That in many ways is the whole point. What many are eluding to is their acquisitions may very well have a negative if not severe negative impact on our business.

                  Who knows? Who really knows? One thing I do know is there are Warriors here that almost never post anymore and in the past they revealed "revelations" that shocked the Internet Marketing Industry months before it was made public.

                  Guess I might be getting too dramatic, LOL.

                  Jeffery 100% :-)
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      • Profile picture of the author MrMonetize
        Originally Posted by Jeffery View Post


        It appears that way to a lot of people. My own assessment is not set in stone at this time, but I'm leaning that way to be honest.
        I'm a bit anti Google nowadays which you'll no doubt pick up on if you read my posts. I lost two sites to the Panda which I wasn't too fussed about, and I had a slap from Adwords for a low quality score site which I got reinstated. I had to create a separate account for my business so I could continue offering Adwords services to my clients.

        However, look at what they know about you. They know what you search for, your emails, videos, your website stats, backlinks, all your friends and business colleagues on G+ and if you use Google Drive, they have all your files too. There are loads more services that I can't even think of right now but I think they are getting too diverse. A search engine that is trying to own everything online. I don't like that about them so I tend to use alternative services where I can.
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        • Profile picture of the author Jeffery
          Originally Posted by Jeffery

          It appears that way to a lot of people. My own assessment is not set in stone at this time, but I'm leaning that way to be honest.
          Originally Posted by MrMonetize View Post

          I'm a bit anti Google nowadays which you'll no doubt pick up on if you read my posts. I lost two sites to the Panda which I wasn't too fussed about, and I had a slap from Adwords for a low quality score site which I got reinstated. I had to create a separate account for my business so I could continue offering Adwords services to my clients.

          However, look at what they know about you. They know what you search for, your emails, videos, your website stats, backlinks, all your friends and business colleagues on G+ and if you use Google Drive, they have all your files too. There are loads more services that I can't even think of right now but I think they are getting too diverse. A search engine that is trying to own everything online. I don't like that about them so I tend to use alternative services where I can.
          In as far as being anti-Google I am far from it only because there is money to be made from being pro-Google.

          Like you I do not like their ways 100% of the time, but it is a give and take business relationship in my opinion. I was one of the lucky ones with regard to my sites slipping by both Panda and Penguin.

          On top of that this is interesting:

          Google's Matt Cutts at SES SF: "you probably won't like Penguin the next few updates will be "jarring and jolting" for webmasters and SEOs."

          This is not about SEO. I refer to that as a small part of discussing how to make money. I agree that Google is a source of income and some Internet Marketers say Google is a tool to make money. In any event, traffic from the search engines is a big part of an Internet Marker's income.

          Jeffery 100% :-)
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          • Profile picture of the author MrMonetize
            Originally Posted by Jeffery View Post

            In as far as being anti-Google I am far from it only because there is money to be made from being pro-Google.

            Like you I do not like their ways 100% of the time, but it is a give and take business relationship in my opinion. I was one of the lucky ones with regard to my sites slipping by both Panda and Penguin.

            On top of that this is interesting:

            Google's Matt Cutts at SES SF: "you probably won't like Penguin the next few updates will be "jarring and jolting" for webmasters and SEOs."

            This is not about SEO. I refer to that as a small part of discussing how to make money. I agree that Google is a source of income and some Internet Marketers say Google is a tool to make money. In any event, traffic from the search engines is a big part of an Internet Marker's income.

            Jeffery 100% :-)
            You are correct in everything you say, but there is a lot more traffic out there other than Google. People are just used to it and think its the be all and end all. It is the main search engine no doubt, but you can easily achieve that sort of traffic by combining the traffic from a few other sources without the fear of getting slapped. That's my experience since I effectively gave up worrying about Google. Because they hate IM and that is my main business, I can't risk building a long term asset on something so volatile.

            As for that article, I'm not surprised and there will be more to come after that as well until they ruin the user experience on Google and people move search engines. I have seen a number of results pages with one site owning the top 20. I also searched for something the other day video related, and Youtube results dominated the top 40+ results, it was like there wasn't anything else online until I hit page 5 or 6 and then I got other sites to look at. This is what I mean by owning the Internet, they are ruining the experience for me.
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            • Profile picture of the author Jeffery
              Originally Posted by MrMonetize View Post

              You are correct in everything you say, but there is a lot more traffic out there other than Google. People are just used to it and think its the be all and end all. It is the main search engine no doubt, but you can easily achieve that sort of traffic by combining the traffic from a few other sources without the fear of getting slapped. That's my experience since I effectively gave up worrying about Google. Because they hate IM and that is my main business, I can't risk building a long term asset on something so volatile.

              As for that article, I'm not surprised and there will be more to come after that as well until they ruin the user experience on Google and people move search engines. I have seen a number of results pages with one site owning the top 20. I also searched for something the other day video related, and Youtube results dominated the top 40+ results, it was like there wasn't anything else online until I hit page 5 or 6 and then I got other sites to look at. This is what I mean by owning the Internet, they are ruining the experience for me.
              All good. Just curious about the search results. Do you flush your DNS every time before you connect to the internet? Tip = Flushing the DNS in that manner is the single biggest enemy to all search engines. I almost "never" see the same results twice unless the result is solid.

              Jeffery 100% :-)
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              • Profile picture of the author MrMonetize
                Originally Posted by Jeffery View Post

                All good. Just curious about the search results. Do you flush your DNS every time before you connect to the internet?

                Jeffery 100% :-)
                I have seen numerous results pages like this myself, as well of examples of this posted by other members on here. I use the depersonalized search plugin by Yoast for Firefox, so its correct and a fault with their algorithm.

                This example posted by another member highlighted this, its a town near me so I was obviously interested when I searched for it.

                Go to Google.com, or google.co.uk

                Search for - mortgages leeds

                You'll see the same site dominate 2 pages or so. The search volume is low but thats beside the point, there are other sites on the later pages and the user experience is ruined as they have to navigate 3 pages to find another site.
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                • Profile picture of the author Jeffery
                  Originally Posted by MrMonetize View Post

                  I have seen numerous results pages like this myself, as well of examples of this posted by other members on here. I use the depersonalized search plugin by Yoast for Firefox, so its correct and a fault with their algorithm.

                  This example posted by another member highlighted this, its a town near me so I was obviously interested when I searched for it.

                  Go to Google.com, or google.co.uk

                  Search for - mortgages leeds

                  You'll see it the same site dominate 2 pages or so. The search volume is low but thats beside the point, there are other sites on the later pages and the user experience is ruined as they have to navigate 3 pages to find another site.
                  Yep, interesting indeed. Is that Google manipulation?

                  I'm going to try an experiment on my PC which involves a reboot and let you know what happens.

                  Jeffery 100% :-)
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                  • Profile picture of the author MrMonetize
                    Originally Posted by Jeffery View Post

                    Yep, interesting indeed. Is that Google manipulation?

                    I'm going to try an experiment on my PC which involves a reboot and let you know what happens.

                    Jeffery 100% :-)
                    I was doing some video editing the other day, so despite it been a video related search query which would obviously bring up plenty of Youtube links, these results shocked me. There are a few different results on page 2 or 3 but every single page after that is Youtube, click through all the way to page 34 ish and see what I mean. There are other sites in the later pages that are not Youtube, so why are they not shown higher up the rankings. There is no user expereince here because the person wouldnt get to page 34.

                    Go onto google.com

                    Search for - after effects cs6 intro template free

                    Now those results to me are a joke.
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                    • Profile picture of the author Jeffery
                      Originally Posted by MrMonetize View Post

                      I was doing some video editing the other day, so despite it been a video related search query which would obviously bring up plenty of Youtube links, these results shocked me. There are a few different results on page 2 or 3 but every single page after that is Youtube, click through all the way to page 34 ish and see what I mean. There are other sites in the later pages that are not Youtube, so why are they not shown higher up the rankings. There is no user expereince here because the person wouldnt get to page 34.

                      Go onto google.com

                      Search for - after effects cs6 intro template free

                      Now those results to me are a joke.
                      My results for both search terms were the same as yours, but I would expect as much for: after effects cs6 intro template free

                      Maybe you missed this question "Is that Google manipulation?"

                      Jeffery 100% :-)
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                      • Profile picture of the author MrMonetize
                        Originally Posted by Jeffery View Post

                        My results for both search terms were the same as yours, but I would expect as much for: after effects cs6 intro template free

                        Maybe you missed this question "Is that Google manipulation?"

                        Jeffery 100% :-)
                        Yes its a loose term, but includes the words needed to pull up pages I want to view. There are loads of different results after page 34, sites like Adobe etc.

                        I would have to say that is manipulation, its putting its videos above every other site with those words in it.

                        I searched for a similar term just then that read better.

                        after effects cs6 free intro template, same type of results.

                        What do you think?
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                        • Profile picture of the author Jeffery
                          Originally Posted by MrMonetize View Post

                          Yes its a loose term, but includes the words needed to pull up pages I want to view. There are loads of different results after page 34, sites like Adobe etc.

                          I would have to say that is manipulation, its putting its videos above every other site with those words in it.

                          I searched for a similar term just then that read better.

                          after effects cs6 free intro template, same type of results.

                          What do you think?
                          I'm just not surprised to be honest because I have seen this a lot over the years.

                          However, anything about youtube results never surprises me though. Tell you why and it is not because of Google. Its because before this forum went public a Warrior announced youtube to us and said invest now. I challenged that because there was no warrant to the announcement. Warriors with far more knowledge of the individual then me were investing 6 figures and said to me.. this person does not post often, but when he does take it to the bank. Obviously, knowing what we know now, it was not a sham and there are in fact a lot of unknowns.

                          I guess what I am saying is I don't look for a reason to figure everything out because there are far too many unknowns. With that said, I do know that Google is buying into our business and the unknowns cause me concern.

                          Jeffery 100% :-)
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                          • Profile picture of the author MrMonetize
                            Originally Posted by Jeffery View Post

                            However, anything about youtube results never surprises me though. Tell you why and it is not because of Google. Its because before this forum went public a Warrior announced youtube to us and said invest now. I challenged that because there was no warrant to the announcement. Warriors with far more knowledge of the individual then me were investing 6 figures and said to me.. this person does not post often, but when he does take it to the bank. Obviously, knowing what we know now, it was not a sham and there are in fact a lot of unknowns.

                            I guess what I am saying is I don't look for a reason to figure everything out because there are far too many unknowns. With that said, I do know that Google is buying into our business and the unknowns cause me concern.

                            Jeffery 100% :-)
                            Well I wish I was around then, I browsed here for a few years before joining but when I started doing IM full time it made sense to join. As for YouTube, I have been doing a few things on there. I made one video as a test, I targeted a keyword with around 1200 exact searches and created a small article for the description. That video has been on page 1 of Google since April with no backlinks, views or comments by me, I let it rank naturally and it hasn't moved. I would say those Warriors made a shrewd investment. I have to sleep now, its been an interesting conversation. Night.
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  • Profile picture of the author BiggyJ
    I think it is dangerous for IMers, but Google is doing smart business. Basically the more of all of the markets it will control, the more they can depend on every other product. Basically they are doing the smart thing of not putting all of their eggs in one basket, like a lot of you like saying
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  • Profile picture of the author Indecision
    Well if Google ever offer me money for my latest project I will be laughing all the way to the bank, not a single f*** was given that day!
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  • Profile picture of the author Dan Grossman
    What's the news here? Google acquires many companies every year, all the way back to 2001, and gives them preferential treatment they didn't have before as they're now part of Google.

    List of acquisitions by Google - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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    • Profile picture of the author MrMonetize
      Originally Posted by Dan Grossman View Post

      What's the news here? Google acquires many companies every year, all the way back to 2001, and gives them preferential treatment they didn't have before as they're now part of Google.

      List of acquisitions by Google - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
      Wow that's a big list! I think the news here is they are trying to dominate all the search results in one way or another. Its a matter of time before Bing becomes the search engine of choice, maybe not for Joe Public but certainly for us lot.
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    • Profile picture of the author Jeffery
      Originally Posted by Dan Grossman View Post

      What's the news here? Google acquires many companies every year, all the way back to 2001, and gives them preferential treatment they didn't have before as they're now part of Google.

      List of acquisitions by Google - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
      Hi Dan,

      From what I seen since January it looks like Google is buying more sectors in niches that relate more to Niche Marketing compared to past acquisitions.

      A coincidence or a planned strategy? Gives me some concern.

      Jeffery 100% :-)
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  • Profile picture of the author everydayreviews
    If that is the case, then we cannot rely on google as heavily as we do. facebook and social media is the way to go
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  • Profile picture of the author Rbtmarshall
    I'm sure the acquisition of Frommers, a trusted name in travel guides worldwide, could definitely enhance Google Places & maps. Making them better apps, and one step closer to an all in one solution for traveling.

    IMO they should also integrate airline/hotel/tour/travel sales directly into maps. I would have to find out what would be a better option, having the app opt out by default, but leaving the option for people to use those services while Google collects commission on the sales. Or opt in and hear the complaints come rolling in due to the additional screen real estate these services may take up. and on a mobile device, screen real estate it pretty limited for comfortable viewing.



    it sounds to me like a good move.
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    • Profile picture of the author Jeffery
      Originally Posted by Rbtmarshall View Post

      I'm sure the acquisition of Frommers, a trusted name in travel guides worldwide, could definitely enhance Google Places & maps. Making them better apps, and one step closer to an all in one solution for traveling.

      IMO they should also integrate airline/hotel/tour/travel sales directly into maps. I would have to find out what would be a better option, having the app opt out by default, but leaving the option for people to use those services while Google collects commission on the sales. Or opt in and hear the complaints come rolling in due to the additional screen real estate these services may take up. and on a mobile device, screen real estate it pretty limited for comfortable viewing.

      it sounds to me like a good move.
      Consider that Google just might keep the technology to enhance Google's existing technology and fold Frommers. Wouldn't be the first time.

      Jeffery 100% :-)
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  • Profile picture of the author jox51
    They are becoming a monoply.
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    • Profile picture of the author MrMonetize
      Originally Posted by jox51 View Post

      They are becoming a monoply.
      Except they hold all the community chest, chance and get out of jail free cards. They also own all the houses and hotels and you don't get $200 for passing go, you get slapped.
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  • Profile picture of the author Walter Parrish
    Originally Posted by Jeffery View Post

    Over the past few months I have been reading here on the WF, SEO sites that Google has been actively buying websites that represent what some call different sectors of the internet.

    The most recent, to my knowledge, is the: travel sector. Specifically:
    Googles Acquisition of travel-guide publisher Frommers

    For those of us that utilize (not depend) on the search engines for traffic this means to me, we as Internet Marketers possibly face more competition and in many ways the ultimate competition being Google itself. My logic is, for example, if I wanted to market a website in the travel industry (Google Sector if I may) then my competitors in the Google Search Engine are established websites and ultimately Google's own travel sector. Absurd? Hope that makes some sort of sense.

    I can imagine many ways that Google could swing visitors to their own affiliations and that worries me.

    Should we be concerned or not? I think so.

    Jeffery 100% :-)
    I've seen many hosting companies and web design businesses go out of business due to the dawn of the Social Sites, but some how the monsters continue to thrive and just wipe out the little guy with no mercy.

    All I can say at this point is focus on bringing new things to the table, don't give and don't give in to these monsters.

    oh and remember
    No One Can Buy or Sell without the Mark of the Beast = Google.
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