SEL: AIM Pages: Google's New Social Network Partner?

check out the Digging into Search swicki at eurekster.com

Search marketing in the new media era.

May 11, 2006

AIM Pages: Google's New Social Network Partner?

IF, as Francisco's interview with Google CEO Eric Schmidt indicates, Google is indeed hyper-interested in social networking, is it more likely that Google will rebuild Orkut, partner, or tape something together with GDuctape... oops I mean with GData?

The name Francisco dropped during her Schmidt conversation was MySpace:

When I asked Schmidt about News Corp's MySpace and the power of social networks, he said that these social networks don't make money. Google would like to find a way to help them make money. "Does that mean Google has to partner with a social network?" I asked. "How does that work?"

He gave me that Schmidt smile -- a nice warm one he seems to easily give regardless of his mood -- with a look that said to me: "I'm staying reticent."

Rather he said, "You can figure it out." I guess I can figure it out.

I think that, given Google's existing 5% ownership of AOL, and the fact that they already provide AOL's search results, that AIM Pages is a more likely partner - if Google indeed goes the partnership route.

(Though MySpace DOES have 76.25% of social networking site visits according to HitWise...)

Learn more about AIM Pages: AIM Pages - AOL breaking down the Walled Garden

Garrett French - MarketSmart Interactive | permalink | +marktd |

...the search industry queries new media