JayWeintraub.com - Internet Advertising Analysis and Growth Insights

To control the world's information

I've recently written on Google and my belief that they leverage, not to mention create, market ineffeciencies for their gain. That lead me to conclude that Google's "Do No Evil" might warrant a change to "No Mercy."

Recent data from speaking to publishers and advertisers leads me to believe that their main mission - "To organize the world's information..." should be "To control the world's information." They are the new gatekeeper, one whose natural search and paid search algorithms' opacity allows them to determine what is truly relevant. It's a marketplace to a point, except that those spending on it and those trying profit from it, i.e. the advertisers and publishes, are kept in the dark.

Whether Google is doing this is purely speculative and borderline conspiracy theory. What is true is that the tipping point of not using Google is here and soon that point will be reached with respect to commerce online. This is really rough idea that I will hopefully work into a more formal article.

For the Record - Google Monopoly

The future of Google is a popular topic and one I cannot avoid but join. Just as Microsoft did in the 80's and 90's, so too is Google doing today - creating a company that will control the way we access and store information. I firmly believe we are witnessing the beginnings of the Google monopoly, and that in three to five years time, Google will play as integrated a role as Microsoft does today. Do no evil - perhaps, but that does not equal consumer control and transparency, two areas where both MSFT and GOOG come up incredibly short. 

Semi-related reading material:
NY Times Article (will expire 11/18/2005 - Times Select...ugh)
Google Classifieds

Quinstreet

I'm looking for some information about Quinstreet. They have long been considered one of the larger more successful lead generation companies, but certain rumors have floated suggesting that they might not be as invincible and their strong-arm legal tactics often seem. I have been guilty of perhaps giving them too much credit in their non-edu based lead businesses.

Certainly, they must be looking at the market and looking for a substantial exit. Will they get it? Should they? Email or comment here. I will not reveal the source.

GMail and Cell Phones

According to a senior investor, GMail, upon its public release requires a cell phone number in order to join. Let's hear some ideas on what they may do with it.