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Gokul Rajaram, a high-ranking Google product manager who helped launch one of the search giant’s most profitable ventures has left to start his own company.[...]
Whatever venture he pursues, he has the blessings of top Google (GOOG) brass Eric Schmidt and Sergey Brin. Product management vice president Susan Wojcicki honored him with a large plaque signed by a few hundred Googlers at his farewell party at the Googleplex in Mountain View, Calif., two weeks ago.
“Google had already understood how to match keywords with URLs, so the next step was building a matching algorithm and create an advertising system around it. Sergey had a mandate to launch it in June 2003. So we had less than six months.”
and
“When we started AdSense, it was just me and four engineers,” Rajaram says. “The night before we launched, Sergey spent five hours with me testing the system and pointing out bugs.”
Given that information (four engineers & one product manager & six months), HOW is it possible that Microsoft, Yahoo! and others (yes that means you Ask.com) find it so hard to launch a copycat system to Adsense?
cg
Given that information (four engineers & one product manager & six months), HOW is it possible that Microsoft, Yahoo! and others (yes that means you Ask.com) find it so hard to launch a copycat system to Adsense?
I think part of Google's advantage is they are using their search algorithm to detect a page's topic, which we all know is years ahead of competition.
Ann
In the third quarter, Google generated $1.45 billion from AdSense, a third of its revenue.
Google doesn't seem to put a lot into the part of its business that generates 1/3 of its income.
We see a small staff, few improvements, little support, long glitches.
Strange way to run a business... no wonder people are leaving.
But if its stock is still over $700, what do they care?
p/g
Down 17.23% from 12 month high
12 month high was reached on November 7th, just 9 days ago.
[edited by: RonS at 4:11 pm (utc) on Nov. 16, 2007]
Rajaram joins a number of top Googlers who have departed recently...
That implies much is changing since Google's hire-rate has been huge. Since Rajaram was given a farewell party his "entrepreneurial venture" will not be directly competitive, it will be interesting to see how he monetizes it.
that generates 1/3 of its income
Revenue, Watson, revenue. Of that, about 3/4 is being paid off to publishers, aka "traffic aquisition cost". In other words: Adsense contributes just 8% to 10% to the overall profit. THAT's why Adsense sees so little attention lately. 90% of the profit comes from Google-only property (mostly search).
Down 17.23% from 12 month high
POP goes the bubble...
It sounds like something else if he is joining other, prior, Googlers...or even striking out on his own. With his background he can possibly get all the backing he can handle.
Ann
The going away party was probably just a snow job so other employees and the public doesn't get wind of what could have been the real reason.
What mysterious "real reason"? The guy has 50 million bucks, his own ideas, and investors who want to bankroll him. What's not to like about that?
What mysterious "real reason"?
I have no doubt he can fund his projects out of pocket or with eager VC's, what I am curious about is how he will monetize the ongoing operations and profitability, advertising maybe?
...what I am curious about is how he will monetize the ongoing operations and profitability, advertising maybe?
Maybe his personal portfolio of parked pages with AdSense ads has grown to the point he no longer wants the hassle of getting up and going to work every morning? :)
FarmBo
Maybe his personal portfolio of parked pages with AdSense ads has grown to the point he no longer wants the hassle of getting up and going to work every morning? :)
The first sentence of the CNN article states that he "has left to start his own company." That doesn't sound like retirement.
I tend to agree with walkman, he wants the freedom to create.
[edited by: OnlyToday at 6:39 pm (utc) on Nov. 16, 2007]
If you read my last post again you will see all the maybes and possibilities thrown in there...its called speculation.
Ann
You can see people quoted his advice from PubCon even back in 2004, e.g.
[webmasterworld.com...]
Given that information (four engineers & one product manager & six months), HOW is it possible that Microsoft, Yahoo! and others (yes that means you Ask.com) find it so hard to launch a copycat system to Adsense?
Because they've probably allocated 100 engineers and a product-managing committee.
You get above a certain staffing size, and productivity DROPS. For most software projects, that number is a small handful.
The classic "Mythical Man Month" still applies. If you haven't read it, do.
What a way to earn the hearts and minds of Web site owners!
This was an absolutely strategic product that has helped Google keep its market search.
Congratulations!
Adsense originator! I would like to know. how much money he get before leave? a lot, right?
Yea, but it's smart priced...
