Cringely's column http://www.pbs.org/cringely/pulpit/2007/pulpit_20071102_003354.html has a critique of some of Google's recent behavior comparing them to Microsoft.
One topic deals with google courting free411.com (800-free-411) before starting 800-goog-411.
Another topic deals with google "blaming" algorithms for problems in an apparent attempt to avoid responsibility.
A third topic deals with AdWords.
He claims they post some AdWords outside of contexts for which they were contracted. A local campaign may be delivered nationally. Choosing to have an AdWord placed on a content page may still have it placed elsewhere, such as a parked domain page. He says "The owners of these domains use AdSense participation to suck up more than 30 percent of the total AdWords market."
[Link fixed as requested – Tony] |
Is he saying that AdSense For Domain Squatters accounts for 30% of total AdWords spending? That's a remarkably huge figure. |
<<Goog-411 is actually a bit more sophisticated than free411, offering product and service classifications and suggestions, which, of course, also generate more revenue.>>
Goog-411 generates $0 revenue.
<<The owners of these domains use AdSense participation to suck up more than 30 percent of the total AdWords market.>>
I don't think that's true. Parked domains are a very small part of Google's revenue. I know a Google employee who said that.
<<At the heart of this problem is a flawed computer architecture that makes Google's customer service responses so slow.>>
I wonder what could be the solution to this.
Overall, the author's problem is the way Google designs algorithms without considering the side-effects of the changes, but that's always the problem with a change and Google is always focused on long-terms benefits and improvements for user experience. |
My favorite part was when John said in the comments
"I believe 99% of businesses using AdWords are not making money. They just advertise, but if they took a hard look they will find out that the ads are not profitable for them."
I don't even need to comment on this. |
> Parked domains are a very small part of Google's
> revenue. I know a Google employee who said that.
[... side-note... Google should be treated like any other source you use: with a reasonable amount of doubt applied to what the source says :) (and not because you'd think they lie, or tweak the truth in their favor, but also because they may work on false or outdated information, even when being an inside employee...)] |
I looked a little further at Cringely's site for the source of the 30% statistic.
I did find a different 30% statistic in an earlier column.
http://www.pbs.org/cringely/pulpit/2006/pulpit_20060525_000356.html
It is about click fraud. I do not think it is the source.
I also looked at the comments for the current column.
http://www.pbs.org/cringely/pulpit/2007/pulpit_20071102_003354_comments.html
Many are worth a look. I recommend reading them, but I didn't find the 30% answer there.
Some had references to distribution fraud being bigger than click fraud.
http://searchquant.blogspot.com/2006/12/fk-click-fraud-its-distribution-fraud.html
http://www.ppcthink.com/2007/10/01/ppc-distribution-fraud-issue-larger-than-click-fraud
I sent Cringely an e-mail. Perhaps I will get an answer. |
