IAB Challenges Online Measurement Firms
The Interactive Advertising Bureau is challenging two top online measurement firms comScore, Inc and Nielsen//NetRatings to agree to a third-party audit of their measurement processes.
PreFound: Google Notebook Infringes On Patent
A patent on hyperlinking filed by search site PreFound’s parent company, iLOR, has led to a lawsuit against Google for infringement.
Did Doubleclick Turn Down Microsoft Money?
John Battelle reports that Microsoft was actually offering more money than Google was for Doubleclick and that Doubleclick went with Google anyway.
DoubleClick Turned Down Microsoft’s Higher Bid
The irony of Microsoft crying antitrust in the Google/DoubleClick buy is starting to make more sense: it may be sour grapes, and a regulatory approach may free up DoubleClick for themselves, or at least stop Google from cornering the market.
Google’s Dominance in Online Advertising
Overview of Google’s potential DoubleClick acquisition, its implications for online advertising, and emerging privacy concerns.
FON Sharing Wi-Fi With Time Warner
A deal between Time Warner Cable (TWC) and FON will allow TWC customers to share Wi-Fi connections with other FON users.
Should Twitter be Scared of Facebook?
The New York Times has a piece about Twitter, including a nice pic of Biz Stone and Jack Dorsey of Obvious Corp. looking pretty pleased with themselves — as they should, considering Twitter’s traffic has apparently tripled in the past month or two since SXSW helped it become the new black. Jason Pontin of MIT’s Technology Review does a nice job of looking at the phenomenon, without trashing it as totally frivolous and irritating.
Presidential Debates Move Online
Presidential hopefuls vying for the Whitehouse will have a new opportunity to reach voters.
Yahoo, The Huffington Post and Slate have announced plans to host two online debates during the 2008 campaign.
Honeymoon Over for Social Networks?
MediaPost reports on an In-Stat report that says the honeymoon is over for social networks. It’s time to root, hog, or die: “They need to start generating revenue now or bow out of the race, according to a new report from In-Stat. ‘In order for a social networking site to be successful, it must attain a critical mass, and competition is fierce to attract new members,’ said In-Stat analyst Jill Meyers.”
Social Networking More Popular than Porn?
There’s an unholy trinity of money making niches that are said to be perpetually profitable.
If you’re looking for a ‘permanent niche’, look no further than ‘Pills, Poker and Porn’.