CNN's Google "insiders" say 2004 as earliest for IPO

nothing groundbreaking; summary of SE world today

[homegirl]

[cnn.com...]

Discusses what others here already aware of:
- competition via Yahoo & Microsoft (with investment in the billions of dollars)
- lease of new office space (500,000 square-foot complex)
- Yahoo's purchase of Inktomi and Overture meaning an eventual drop of Google search at the portal.

[edited by: homegirl at 4:51 pm (utc) on Aug. 4, 2003]

[Mohamed_E]

Thanks for the link! An interesting read even though, as you say, there is little that is new to WW readers.

[homegirl]

Yes, I agree, Mohammed_E! Main reasons I posted it are:
- I find it interesting to track what info makes it to mainstream press (and is not something only known to the SE or SEO "Elite" back here). After all, the mainstream press is reaching your average pool of clients.
- Also, I think of info such as this like a bookmark in time... many of us here believe an IPO is inevitable (despite Google's previous coyness). And I'm always curious about the reliability of sources. Earlier this year, some were hopeful the IPO would be in the Fall 2003. Now, that timeframe's been pushed back.

We'll see... :)

[metaG]

As a matter of fact, the date for Google IPO has long been set in their business plan back in 1997.

The logic is simple:
if you earn money the first year, you may be lucky.
ifyou earn again second year, then well... it is
more believable. But if you earn positive netincome consecutively for three years
and with growth, then that can't be luck. W
hen that happen, and you have to do IPO, do it.

From news reports, 2001, Google have 10 millions netincome.
In 2002, they have 100 millions netincome.
For year 2003, the outside estimate for revenue is below 1 billion. I am more optimistic, I would say the revenue is around 1.2 billion with the last 3 months earning higher than their expectation. Given their high profit margin
33%, it is translated into 400 million netincome.

Yes. 2004 will be the year they do IPO because
the investos are not that 'patient' any more.
By the year 2004, the economic situation will
be better. Less risk. Both ventual capital firms
will gain 200+ folds of their investment without
difficult.

However, IPO will be a challenge for google since
it will transform them from private to public.
Many things will change.

[Tor]

Excellent reasoning metaG... ;) I tend to agree with you on this.

[Xoc]

There was a segment on the radio show Marketplace [marketplace.org] on public radio last night. Talked about search engines, Microsoft, Yahoo, Overture, Google, the Google IPO, etc.

[jeremy goodrich]

That figure seems to low for their venture capital infusion - I thought the initial figure (before Yahoo) was around $50 million or something?

And the article "forgets" that Yahoo also got stock for their deal in 2000. ;)

Tough for the main stream press to really get me interested in reading these days, since they often forget some cruicial details.

>>>$2 billion market size for 2003 in paid listings?

That doesn't seem right - Overture alone market - share wise, 1 billion in revenue. Add in Google, at their "projected" 2003 revenue of 1 billion, and you already have $2 billion.

Then you've got LookSmart, Ask Jeeves, and Yahoo (the stuff that doesn't come from Overture). Like directory listings & what not.

Surely there is about a hundred million through all that...then let's not forget SEO services & related link purchases *cough*.

I'd say this years market closer to 2.5 billion, in actuality, but again, it's impossible to get an accurate figure.

[SactoKhmer]

... & related link purchases *cough*.

what's that? is that what teoma is doing? selling related link keywords?

"It's way too powerful," said Daniel Brandt, a fierce Google critic who started a Web site to air his misgivings. "It's scary because if Google drops you, you could be out of business in no time."

how much money can google make if they tax every site it indexes at a penny/page per day? or a penny a click?

the GOOGLE tax!

atleast $10,950,000,000 dollars a year minimum.

[kelvinhui]

Would Warren Buffet be interested in Google stocks? :)

[shasan]

hehe, the penny per day idea is kinda wild.

What do they need the IPO money for? If they expect to net 400M?

[the_nerd]

Would Warren Buffet be interested in Google stocks? :)

Not before they start to produce google-candy-bars :)

[TomWaits]

Just checked, somebody already bought msgoogle.com, which is where this thing is headed, like it or not.

[Chef_Brian]

Hey Everyone,

Yea, this next year will prove very intresting for google for sure ;-)

Those that have been on the web for some time will no doubt have a "vested" intrest in more than one way, weather they pluck there dollars down on the ipo or not.

Also note the company "Roxio" have just recently purchased the name and rights to "napster". I purchased just over a grand in that company yesterday while the stock is still below $10. Roxio is planning on launching paid online music site later this fall using the napster name. Should be intresting to watch this stock as well over the next 6 months to a year.

Brian

[seekanddestroy]

Mmmmm, we think Google has a few problems now, wait until the suits get there hands on it!

God Bless private Google!

[Terrier]

(Mmmmm, we think Google has a few problems now,)

Google with a few problems, I dont think so, they know exactly what they are doing!

They are doing the same thing we are all doing only they are in control!

I just wish they would hurry up and get this IPO over and done with.