tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6569681.post6926307279853511182..comments2024-03-24T10:38:16.997-07:00Comments on Geeking with Greg: Facebook and the value of blocking GoogleGreg Lindenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09216403000599463072noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6569681.post-33552621982042113242007-10-30T14:14:00.000-07:002007-10-30T14:14:00.000-07:00Thanks, Murray. I have thought about going after ...Thanks, Murray. I have thought about going after personalized advertising.<BR/><BR/>The problem is that success of that business probably depends on building up high quality ad inventory, which likely requires a substantial advertising sales staff, considerable funding to build that team, and deep connections into the industry.<BR/><BR/>Findory did make an attempt to build personalized advertising without building up its own ad inventory -- first layering on top of Google AdSense, then trying layering on top of Amazon Associates -- but neither of those attempts were successful.<BR/><BR/>That is not to say that some other effort would not be, but I suspect that layering on top of another's ad inventory does not give the level of access and control necessary to make the targeting as effective as it would need to be.<BR/><BR/>If you agree that the advertising team is critical, then I think you have to ask which is more important to succeed, the strength of the advertising and sales team or the strength of the targeting technology. I suspect that, in this extremely crowded space, getting the deals done is critical, putting technology-heavy startups like Findory at a disadvantage to the larger players already swarming over the market.Greg Lindenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09216403000599463072noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6569681.post-81658628615073873642007-10-28T14:10:00.000-07:002007-10-28T14:10:00.000-07:00Hi Greg,instead of closing down Findory why dont y...Hi Greg,<BR/><BR/>instead of closing down Findory why dont you convert it to a personalized ad network. I think you'd make a ton of money.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6569681.post-19945732696792920902007-10-26T08:32:00.000-07:002007-10-26T08:32:00.000-07:00"how will Facebook know enough about the girlfrien..."how will Facebook know enough about the girlfriend to provide anything other than a generic recommendation for a restaurant and present?"<BR/><BR/>First of all - if Facebook can prevent the ill fate of once again forgetting the birthday of my girlfriend it is all the argument I need to stay as a loyal user... :-)<BR/><BR/>However, to the point of Anonymous, if the girlfriend is on Facebook too + the relationship/connection between the two persons is in the system + she has her profile data filled out it should not be too hard to find:<BR/>a) suggestions for a suitable present in line with her preferences<BR/>b) suggestions for a nice restaurant in the neighbourhood<BR/>c) a nice offer to deliver some fancy roses to her through a local florist.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6569681.post-47997812089353150642007-10-26T07:24:00.000-07:002007-10-26T07:24:00.000-07:00Hi, Anonymous. It is a good point that there may b...Hi, Anonymous. It is a good point that there may be some specific events that have strong purchase intent, such as birthdays, that Facebook can target. However, I am not sure that is a frequent enough advertising opportunity to make the kind of revenues implied in a $15B valuation.<BR/><BR/>Moreover, I cannot see how the targeting will be specific enough that it will be useful to users and lucrative for Facebook. Taking your birthday example, how will Facebook know enough about the girlfriend to provide anything other than a generic recommendation for a restaurant and present?Greg Lindenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09216403000599463072noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6569681.post-55009446982625286562007-10-26T02:48:00.000-07:002007-10-26T02:48:00.000-07:00reaching back to the last action with purchase int...reaching back to the last action with purchase intent is ok, but facebook will be able to remind me of my girlfriends birthday, recommend a suitable restaurant and suggest a present.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com