Google Gets Serious About Making Money
Looks like Google is finally getting serious about making money. As the Google Blog states:
… we want to ensure that we prioritize our resources and focus more on our core search, ads and apps business.
That was in the context of them shutting down Lively this December 31. Launched last July, Lively was Google’s answer to browser-based virtual worlds that could be embedded into other websites.
As TechCrunch points out however, Lively never really took off.
All evidence seems to point to Google streamlining their properties, and focusing on monetizing them - new monetization models being adopted at YouTube, and banner ads appearing on Google Finance (check out the large 300×250 on the right).
Looks like the age of innocence is over at Google.
Must reads:
YouTube Now Going Full Hog On Advertising
YouTube Tries The eCommerce Route For Monetization
YouTube Tries Out Post-Roll Video Ads