What is AOL thinking?

Can't do anything but signup for AOL at AOL.com

[skibum]

Didn't AOL used to have things like content and search available at AOL.com?

It seems like now its just a big ad to try to get you to sign up for AOL and nothing else. Seems like a big waste of prime real estate.

[creative craig]

I am not sure about the live URL on the website. But the portal when you use them as you're ISP does have a lot of content and also has the search engine, well the Google search at least.

Craig

[digitalv]

Like Craig said, I think the content is shown when you're looking at the page from an AOL IP address (ie; logged in through the software or AOL Broadband) or if you have logged in to your AOL account via the website.

It's actually not a bad move for them... why make their content available to non-subscribers?

[sem4u]

The search box disappeared a couple of months ago from the homepage.

[skibum]

Seems like if they had content available they would generate ad revenue, more search engine traffic and just be more visible in general.

It seems like people would currently either subcribe or leave. Given that there is pletny of content and news elsewhere, probably not to many will subscribe for the content.

[Chndru]

>The search box
it can still be accessed at [search.aol.com...]

[digitalv]

Seems like if they had content available they would generate ad revenue, more search engine traffic and just be more visible in general.

It seems like people would currently either subcribe or leave. Given that there is pletny of content and news elsewhere, probably not to many will subscribe for the content.

In my opinion AOL is a company that doesn't "get it" - and unfortunately for them, their users are starting to. They've had a horrible "new customer" rate over the last couple of years (compared to previous years). Sure they were great in their day and frankly the Internet wouldn't be what it is today had AOL never come around - but like many former greats, they're going the way of the dinosaur. Personally I think it was a bad move for AOL to offer all of that stuff on the web initially anyway, and now it seems like they agree. AOL's advertising rates are based on the number of subscribers they have. If they put everything out there on the web without an AOL account required, what incentive would that long-term user have to stay with AOL when they could access all of the same crap for free through any ISP? Despite popular belief, AOL for Broadband wasn't an attempt for AOL to attract broadband visitors. It was to prevent their current customers from LEAVING AOL in favor of Cable or DSL.

The only reason AOL still has subscribers is because it's what the members are used to. If someone came along and told them you could still do "AOL stuff" without being an AOL user, they would. And they did. Now they can't.

[creative craig]

I live with my girl friend and her family and they are AOL broadband users, in fact when I go to any other member of their family they seem to be AOL members as well, must be a cult thing ;)

I have asked countless times why they use AOL and the answer is simple. Ease of use, yes they can get the same news, search, good deals and bargains from other sites, but with the AOL browser (shudder) it is painfully simple to use and very child friendly.

I live with the typical AOL family in my opinion :)

Craig