AOL could be free for a Google buy

[dutter]

Time Warner will likely divest itself of AOL, and the company will be a prime acquisition target if that happens. Google could end up paying or even over-paying to purchase AOL for the traffic, as well as the desire to keep it out of Microsoft's hands.

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[Surendran]

I read somewhere Aol's servers are powered by google.

[dutter]

Google powers AOL's search results and advertising.

[netndx]

Microsoft is a better fit for the AOL userbase.

If Google bought AOL it would be to block MS, but a strategy like that could be risky on multiple fronts.

I am not sure Google is up for the challenge.

[greeneagle]

Google exercises every opportunity to keep it's nose legally clean from any monopolistic charges. They are way out front now and both being publicly held... I wouldn't give it much of a chance passing regulatory boards.

IMO - MSN or Yahoo could offer less and have a better chance of closing the deal.

Ken