tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5689812823462613341.post8383725160639186808..comments2022-03-26T10:40:25.681-07:00Comments on Glen on Programming: Google's Privacy PolicyAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01199522537419481981noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5689812823462613341.post-84771016830933052172012-09-28T10:32:43.477-07:002012-09-28T10:32:43.477-07:00Google's revenue comes primarily from serving ...Google's revenue comes primarily from serving ads with AdWords and they make billions. Interestingly, Adwords uses "Site Placement" which shows ads based on the content of the site they are shown on, as opposed to using tracking cookies (they may use tracking too, I don't know). But yes, it is a pay-per-view and pay-per-click business model that advertisers use to show ads through Google.<br /><br />It's interesting that you bring up Facebook. Here is a recent article that blames Facebook's poor IPO performance on *not* using tracking cookies, or at least on not leveraging them as much as they could:<br />http://www.businessinsider.com/facebook-fbx-2012-9<br /><br />Businesses could create a bubble by over-investing in online advertising, but no more so than by over-investing in anything else. Also, it's pretty effective compared to some other forms of advertising. I personally find it less intrusive than strangers knocking on my door, phoning me after dinner, and stuffing my mail box full of junk.<br /><br />Chris Anderson makes a compelling argument in his book, "Free: The Future of a Radical Price" that the things we use will increasingly be supported by various non-traditional business models such as advertisements, companion goods, and the like, so that the end consumer gets something for free or a reduced price. So no, I think this kind of arrangement is here to stay.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01199522537419481981noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5689812823462613341.post-12899170696411902482012-09-28T10:11:19.109-07:002012-09-28T10:11:19.109-07:00Just read your post on "Google Privacy Policy...Just read your post on "Google Privacy Policy," and wanted to address some points you made that I found compelling/challenging. To start, I am someone who is mildly perturbed by Google/Facebook's complete access to my personal information, but not out-and-out angry about it. As someone who is not as technically savvy as, perhaps, someone such as yourself, I don't like the idea that these mega-industries are selling my personal information to companies that I am not aware of (unless I read the fine print, which, to be fair, is something I choose not to do).<br /><br />That being said, as you said in your post, I want my Facebook and Gmail to be free services, and there has to be some way for these free services to make revenue in order to stay afloat. My question to you: is this business model sustainable? As you know, there will only be an ever-increasing amount of data for Facebook/Google to sell as the years go on, information which they can use as they like, but do page views, and targeted ads really pay the bills? I worry that Facebook's poor IPO performance may be a harbinger of things to come, especially concerning free social web services. Ostensibly, do you see this new tech industry as another burgeoning "bubble," especially concerning social media?<br /><br />Would be interested to hear your thoughts on these matters, as well as any others you have regarding the current tech economy. Thank you for posting such a thought-provoking blog post, and look forward to your response.<br />Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15060962530106194511noreply@blogger.com