Notice Anything Different?
Yes, there’s something different about the Google News logo. Can you tell?
That’s right, Google News is out of beta after 8,753 months! Okay, it was actually 40 months, but still, what is likely Google’s longest beta is over. This coincides with the release of Google News’ new personalization and popularity features. Since Google claims products stay in beta until all desired features are implemented, we can assume they’re satisfied.
One of the most prevalant theories over the years was that News was in beta because it had no ads and that it had no ads because Google was afraid of getting sued. Well, News has left beta, and there is still no revenue model. Will we ever see ads on Google News?
Hat-tip: Miel
UPDATE: Gary Price notes that it was in beta a mere 29,256 hours, or about 1219 days.
I’m not sure if they care about ads too much–it gets people coming back to the site. That said though, since Google News drives lots of traffic to publisher sites I don’t see how it differs from SERP results. I know when I get linked high up on GN there are tons of hits, great feeling!
Comment by Jon Gales | January 24, 2006
Now the big question is: when will Google integrate Adwords / Adsense to monetize the heavy traffic?
My guess is that it will happen pretty soon in a shared revenue mode: I guess that Google will share in the same way that they announces for Google Print / Books “….and your books will also earn revenue from contextual advertising – even if they are out of print…”
See http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2005/08/making-books-easier-to-find.html
Would you agree with me on this bet?
didier
Comment by Didier DURAND | January 24, 2006
The Google News “Indian version” is still in beta.
http://news.google.com/news?ned=in&btn=Go
Comment by Sudhir | January 24, 2006
From there own blog:
“Google News has matured a great deal, and we’re proud to see it graduate from its beta status. Much remains to be done, and as always, we have many exciting ideas that we intend to take forward.”
So, they are not done yet. Maybe google just doesn’t consider ads as a main feature.
Comment by Sander | January 24, 2006
Where are your prespectives? I was really looking forward to those.
Comment by Scott | January 24, 2006
Sudhir,
Just clear your Browser cache - probably it’s just showing the old Google News logo.
Amit.
Comment by Amit Agarwal | January 24, 2006
Damn, google took something out of beta? Hell must be a cold cold place…
Comment by matt | January 24, 2006