WoonZai

Google allows advertisers to bid for keywords that are trademarked

It will be interesting to know the impact that this will have on Google. They seem to be eroding their stand of “not being evil”. Increasingly, I see the detrimental effects that being public listed can have on a company’s stand and directions. I don’t think the founders would have anticipated this pressure to maintain profit growth every year when they list the company out.

If I ever have the chance to start a company, I will find all ways and means to keep it from being listed on the stock exchange. I have lost faith in the world’s financial and capital markets. Fundamentally, the reason that drives performing companies to expand their operations from external funds is greed.

FT.com - Anger at Google’s keyword shift

A sudden change in Google (NASDAQ:GOOG) ’s policy on brand-name advertising in its search results has angered British advertisers, even as it opens up competitive opportunities in search marketing.

From May, Google will allow anybody to buy trademarks as “keywords”, allowing rivals’ sites to appear in sponsored search results when users query a specific brand or company name.