Google, Zagat And Content

Image via CrunchBaseGoogle was not, is not a content company. Yahoo yes, AOL yes, but not Google. So I was a little surprised that Google went ahead and bought Zagat. But then Google pays entities like the Associated Press to get news stories directly on to the Google News platform. That's getting into content.

Goes on to show how unformed the mobile space is. The mobile space, the local space. Marissa Mayer might not have been able to buy GroupOn, but she sure did buy Zagat, did she not?

I was surprised and still don't fully understand, but that is not to say it is not a good move. And the price tag - undisclosed, I believe - is not outrageous.
Image via Wikipedia

Related articles

• 4 Ways Google's Acquisition of Zagat Will Affect Search Marketing (greatfinds.icrossing.com)
• Google's price for Zagat $125 million, says WSJ (news.cnet.com)
• Marissa buys Nina: Google's Buys Zagat (thenextwomen.com)
• Google Acquires Zagat (mashable.com)
• Google gobbles up Zagat (marketwatch.com)
• Bloggers Cheer Google's Zagat Acquisition (blogher.com)
• Google Buys Zagat: a Marriage between Old and New Media (searchenginejournal.com)
• Google buys Zagat in push for local market (money.cnn.com)
• A Chat With the Zagats and Google on the Future of Online Reviews (dailyfinance.com)
• Google Buys Zagat, Gives Itself Extraordinary Rating (searchenginewatch.com)

Fractals And FoodSpotting

I don't know but I am guessing there are a few different players in what I call the specific check in space, but I only know one: FoodSpotting. And if there are others, FoodSpotting sure has the best seat in the house. Checking into a book, or movie or music is not actually checking in. It is not location specific. The Like button by any other name.

Much of the special going out involves eating and drinking for many people. And each such check in place, by definition, is a business. Caching. As opposed to when someone checks into Central Park - and people do - that is hard to monetize. Street vendors: don't count on them.