2 Comments

My Google

May 20, 2005
by

Google came out with customizable homepages…http://www.google.com/ig

I have mixed feelings about this, as Google just seems to be getting distracted from its main goal of helping people find information. I understand that personal portals pull desired content, but it’s not a new, revolutionary idea. A personalized homepage with my email and stocks just isn’t that impressive. It’s one of those “been-there-done-that” deals. Additionally, if someone already uses a Yahoo portal, why would they switch? Consumers are habitual creatures. Sure, there’s a lack of advertising on the Google page, but I’m sure it’s just a matter of time till AdSense hits.

About Carolyn Tang Kmet

Carolyn Tang Kmet is the director of affiliate marketing for Groupon.com, a site that features a daily deal on the best stuff to do, see, eat, and buy in a variety of cities across the U.S., Canada, Europe and soon beyond (read: Space). Prior to joining Groupon, she led the client services team at ShareASale.com, an award-winning affiliate network. On the merchant side, she’s managed affiliate programs at Orbitz.com and CollectiblesToday.com; and on the affiliate site, she helped build the MyPoints Shopping portal. Carolyn is also an adjunct lecturer with Loyola University of Chicago, where she teaches both undergraduate and MBA level e-marketing courses.

Carolyn received her MBA from Loyola University Chicago. She holds a Masters of Science degree in Journalism from Northwestern University and a Bachelor of Arts degree from University of California, Berkeley.You can find Carolyn on Twitter @catango.

Filed under: Online Marketing
  • http://adjungle.com/ Brad Waller

    Carolyn, You beat me to it. I have a personalized page with Excite and MyWay, and free email from Excite and gmail. I don't use either of the portals for search, just news, weather, movies, and the basics. I could do the same with Google, but they need to do something special – like let me earn money from the ads they show me – to get me to take the time and trouble to switch.

  • http://adjungle.com/ Brad Waller

    OK, I had to check it out to see what it was like. After seeing it, I was both very impressed and disappointed. You can drag and drop each block to rearrange your page – amazingly cool. But, they waste a ton of screen space at the top with their logo and links. You are a good 300 pixels down the page before you get to content. Finally, their customization and options are limited. I like to get eather for both where I am and where I'll be soon, so I can't get both Redondo Beach and Las Vegas on the page…