Is Google Losing Its Luster?

Google has grown from a tiny little start up to a monster corporation, gobbling up other start ups to add to its empire. Is Google getting too big to maneuver effectively in this market?

Plain Brown Wrapper

Think about Google ads you see on almost every web page you visit. Do you even notice them anymore? These simple, plain textual advertisements have little impact on viewers. In addition, Google's ad policy is often restrictive for certain types of websites. Other advertising providers are providing more innovative and easier to use products.

Google Alternatives

One Google alternative is Kontera, which takes no space on your website pages. Kontera underscores words on your website and links them to ads that users will see as they mouse over text. Just the curiosity factor will often get eyes on your ad.

Another good alternative to Google is Widgetbucks. This advertiser offers slick-looking widgets that add to the attractiveness of your page instead of boring it down with plain text advertisements.

Google Becoming a Microsoft?

Google has previously been known for innovation, but when was the last time they upgraded their AdSense program? They are becoming reminiscent of the giant Microsoft that has done nothing to streamline its popular browser, Internet Explorer. While Microsoft has upgraded the software several times, it has never taken steps to make the program quicker and lighter. Microsoft's failure to improve the software so it uses less resources has opened the door for Firefox, Opera and Google's own browser, Chrome. Nearly half of all Internet users are surfing with Firefox.¹

If Google is not careful, other advertisers will take over the market share that Google currently dominates. Google is not the shiny new penny it used to be and needs to make its ad services more appealing before the market tires of them. If it does not find a way to maneuver more quickly in the fast paced Internet environment, it will fall prey to other innovators.

¹R&R Web Design: Most Popular Browsers November 2008