Comments on: Hey Google — You’ve got AOL! http://www.mathewingram.com/work/2005/12/16/google-to-take-stake-in-aol/ ... at the intersection of media, technology, business and the web Sat, 13 Mar 2010 18:09:51 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9 hourly 1 By: Stuart MacDonald http://www.mathewingram.com/work/2005/12/16/google-to-take-stake-in-aol/comment-page-1/#comment-23 Stuart MacDonald Sat, 17 Dec 2005 22:09:11 +0000 http://www.mathewingram.com/work/index.php/2005/12/16/google-to-take-stake-in-aol/#comment-23 I was blown away when I learned it. They have apparently acquired some sites with strong traffic in specific verticals. I'd need to dig into the ComScore data to better understand it (and I don't have a subscription anymore - how about a comp, Brent? ;)) and it is not impossible that this is a one-month-wonder (you used to be able to pop your MediaMetrix reach numbers for a one-time gain big time via pop-unders, promos etc. back in the day -- less so now). But still noteworthy. Gifts to wrap. - Stuart I was blown away when I learned it. They have apparently acquired some sites with strong traffic in specific verticals. I’d need to dig into the ComScore data to better understand it (and I don’t have a subscription anymore – how about a comp, Brent? ;)) and it is not impossible that this is a one-month-wonder (you used to be able to pop your MediaMetrix reach numbers for a one-time gain big time via pop-unders, promos etc. back in the day — less so now). But still noteworthy.

Gifts to wrap.

- Stuart

]]> By: Mathew http://www.mathewingram.com/work/2005/12/16/google-to-take-stake-in-aol/comment-page-1/#comment-22 Mathew Sat, 17 Dec 2005 21:39:26 +0000 http://www.mathewingram.com/work/index.php/2005/12/16/google-to-take-stake-in-aol/#comment-22 Hmmmm... that is interesting. I wonder what would be driving that kind of traffic? I didn't realize they were quite that big. Hmmmm… that is interesting. I wonder what would be driving that kind of traffic? I didn’t realize they were quite that big.

]]> By: Stuart MacDonald http://www.mathewingram.com/work/2005/12/16/google-to-take-stake-in-aol/comment-page-1/#comment-21 Stuart MacDonald Sat, 17 Dec 2005 20:45:20 +0000 http://www.mathewingram.com/work/index.php/2005/12/16/google-to-take-stake-in-aol/#comment-21 Now now... they must have something to offer :) In fact, did you know that AOL.ca has climbed to Number Two in terms of reach on the Canadian web, per ComScore? I just learned that last Wednesday and was super surprised. 14 million monthly uniques to MSN-Sympatico's 17 million (all numbers on a roll-up basis). With essentially no homepage-preset user base and a relatively recent open-doors content approach in Canada, this is darn impressive results, even allowing for the usual +/- 20% ComScore wobble. AOL US should be paying attention... - Stuart Now now… they must have something to offer :)

In fact, did you know that AOL.ca has climbed to Number Two in terms of reach on the Canadian web, per ComScore? I just learned that last Wednesday and was super surprised. 14 million monthly uniques to MSN-Sympatico’s 17 million (all numbers on a roll-up basis). With essentially no homepage-preset user base and a relatively recent open-doors content approach in Canada, this is darn impressive results, even allowing for the usual +/- 20% ComScore wobble. AOL US should be paying attention…

- Stuart

]]> By: Mathew http://www.mathewingram.com/work/2005/12/16/google-to-take-stake-in-aol/comment-page-1/#comment-20 Mathew Sat, 17 Dec 2005 19:05:20 +0000 http://www.mathewingram.com/work/index.php/2005/12/16/google-to-take-stake-in-aol/#comment-20 I agree -- it is all about how it's done, and how it's flagged to the user. If AOL crap... er, content seems to float magically to the top of all my searches, then I agree a flame war is in order :-) I agree — it is all about how it’s done, and how it’s flagged to the user. If AOL crap… er, content seems to float magically to the top of all my searches, then I agree a flame war is in order :-)

]]> By: Stuart MacDonald http://www.mathewingram.com/work/2005/12/16/google-to-take-stake-in-aol/comment-page-1/#comment-19 Stuart MacDonald Sat, 17 Dec 2005 19:03:11 +0000 http://www.mathewingram.com/work/index.php/2005/12/16/google-to-take-stake-in-aol/#comment-19 Execution will be everything. A side box, clearly outlined like AdWords results are -- and just as relevant -- should pass muster. But, if they put a special dog team of Maximizer folks inside AOL's offices to sprinkle bonus pixie dust that magically moves their unpaid placement from Number 1.752 million to Number 7 -- ya, baby, that's a Big Deal. - Stuart Execution will be everything. A side box, clearly outlined like AdWords results are — and just as relevant — should pass muster. But, if they put a special dog team of Maximizer folks inside AOL’s offices to sprinkle bonus pixie dust that magically moves their unpaid placement from Number 1.752 million to Number 7 — ya, baby, that’s a Big Deal.

- Stuart

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