Personally, I'm appalled that Google would reach into the browser for advertising. To me it's analogous to Microsoft bringing me pop ups in Windows to show me their new phones. I understand that the ad is small and unobtrusive, but it really feels like an invasion of sacred ground to me. I expect advertising when I venture out into the web, through the pages I request. I don't expect it injected directly into the programs I use.
Google makes the lion's share of its profits from ad revenue. Chrome is a big billboard. A shiny, speedy billboard, but a billboard nonetheless. It's no big surprise for them to want to monetize it eventually.
I would imagine the reason Microsoft never entertained that idea with IE is because Microsoft's core business is selling software, not selling ads. If you're running IE, you already gave MS money, either directly or indirectly.
I understand that. That's why I'm perfectly happy to see advertising in my search results. I would not have minded if the ad was placed on the Google home page or at the top of my search results, but this ad is showing up in my software, on my own computer. I haven't seen any other reputable browser do that (without annoying toolbars installed, that is).
And no other browser maker makes the vast majority of its revenue from advertising.
Google aren't in the business of making web browsers, or tablet and phone OS' out of the goodness of their heart. it's all about pushing users to use their services, so they can mine that usage for data, so they can serve more ads, more effectively.
7 comments
[ 12.1 ms ] story [ 36.0 ms ] threadI would imagine the reason Microsoft never entertained that idea with IE is because Microsoft's core business is selling software, not selling ads. If you're running IE, you already gave MS money, either directly or indirectly.
When people say "the user is the product" in relation to Google, they aren't joking.
Google aren't in the business of making web browsers, or tablet and phone OS' out of the goodness of their heart. it's all about pushing users to use their services, so they can mine that usage for data, so they can serve more ads, more effectively.