Nickname: Rank Cologne

Review: What AOL has that gives them all of these "unique visitors" every month is AIM and the fact that they're still the largest ISP in America (although losing about 1 million a quarter). As they continue to lose 4 million subscribers a year, they will lose these "unique visitors" to AOL.com, since most of the people who visit AOL.com do so to access their AOL e-mail while at work. I know what AOL's customers are interested in because I used to work there--and they are not interested in AOL's crap content. Hell, even the LIVE 8 that AOL likes to hype as a big success wasn't that big of a deal. The click-thru on the LIVE 8 links on the Welcome Screen and AOL portal were lower than most of the other promotions that were running that same day. And whenever AOL does live music events, the click thru is shockingly low. AOL is hyping itself up because they know they're sinking (again) and so are looking for another strong company to latch on to (and drive the stock value down).

Date reviewed: Nov 16, 2005 8:21 PM

Nickname: Ayan

Review: I would be interested in seeing how Google can incorporate a partnership with AOL without compromising its unbiased search procedures. Google offers a lot of value added services such as receiving YellowPages and direction services for cell phones. I fail to see how Google can strike a partnership, beyond their existing one. A financial analysis of how the revenue breakdown would get distributed would be helpful.

Date reviewed: Nov 16, 2005 1:38 AM

Nickname: Short Google?

Review: If Google does this deal, it will demonstrate the first sign of them succumbing to Wall Street. They don't want to do it, but they do feel the pressure not to lose 20% of their traffic. If this happens, it's probably the time to consider shorting Google. This will be the Google blink test. Mark my words.

Date reviewed: Nov 15, 2005 11:28 PM

Nickname: Johnathan Swift

Review: Microsoft is a 10-ton obese gorilla that needs to go on a diet. Google is lean, mean, and hungry. I say go with Google and give Microsoft a much needed kick in the butt.

Date reviewed: Nov 13, 2005 3:58 PM

Nickname: larry278

Review: For Google to team up with AOL is a lousy idea. AOL stinks & it killed Time Warner's share price. AOL is the GM of the computer world.

Date reviewed: Nov 12, 2005 5:08 PM

Nickname: Mike

Review: AOL needs to do Google. This is the Microsoft of the new century. Google has what AOL needs. Just do the deal!

Date reviewed: Nov 12, 2005 2:58 AM

Nickname: thebeav

Review: Microsoft is a much better match for AOL than Google. Both companies share a need and established use of content, not to mention Microsoft's established relationships with other Hollywood studios. Google will not be able to maintain its religious display of search results while sending more traffic to TimeWarner properties, and Microsoft can easily do this. Microsoft can also afford to pass through 100% of the revenue generated by paid search results on the AOL properties, as the new relationship will help kick start MSN's own paid search business (as AOL played a key role in the growth of Google's paid search product).

Date reviewed: Nov 11, 2005 9:05 PM

Nickname: InsideOut

Review: Microsoft should concentrate its resources on cleaning up its bloated and very hackable operating system. A Google/AOL alliance will only work if TimeWarner exits the picture entirely. Content "synergy" with TimeWarner is an obscenity at best, and Google doesn't need stodgy old TimeWarner executives and their outdated "shotgun advertising" model. But what to do with AOL's access business? How about retooling it as a telecommunting tool for businesses and government workers? Monthly dial-up is cheaper than monthly gasoline. Google's people could make that work. TimeWarner execs don't have a clue.

Date reviewed: Nov 11, 2005 5:50 PM

Nickname: Momentrider

Review: A well articulated artical. It does seem likely AOL will go with Google when one looks at Google's recent burst of popularity that seems to be draining from AOL. But I was curious how long the partnership would last. When AOL desides what company to go with don't forget to write about the terms. Thanks for the insight.

Date reviewed: Nov 11, 2005 5:00 PM

Nickname: JAL

Review: Google is youth. Microsoft is a 10-ton gorilla. Courting Google would have more excitement than old man Microsoft/MSN.

Date reviewed: Nov 11, 2005 2:22 PM