Trend Radar 2008: Verticalization Everywhere

If you are a regular reader of this blog, you know, I am a huge believer in verticalization of the web. In fact, my entire Web 3.0 thesis is based on this idea. In 2007, we saw the beginnings of verticalization. In 2008, I expect this trend to become rampant in all aspects of the

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Deal Radar 2008: LinkedIn Should Roll-Up Jobs

LinkedIn is a professional business networking site founded by Reid Hoffman in 2003. It allows members to showcase their profiles and caters to the age 25-65 professionals demographic. It generates revenues via subscriptions and advertising. Recruiters use the site to tap talent, and is LinkedIn’s primary revenue generating segment. In 2003, LinkedIn secured $4.7 million

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Is Google Invincible?

Google is powerful. Of course. But is it invincible? According to Hitwise, Google accounted for 64.49% of all U.S. Searches in the four weeks ending October 27, 2007. According to RimmKaufman, Google controls 79% of the pay-per-click ad market. Google derives 99% of its revenue from advertising.

Web 3.0 & NYT (Part 4)

Acquisition Targets NYT has been making small investments and acquisitions in the online space for the past few years, tipping its toes into the online waters. The Company’s biggest acquisition in this space has been About.com in March 2005, which has been paying off handsomely. The Company has partnered with Monster which now powers the

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Web 3.0 & NYT (Part 3)

Web 3.0 Framework discussion Context Some NYT sites have very good contextual nuances. If you want to know how much calories you are taking in when you are having your favorite chocolate ice-cream or how much calories you have burned by jogging for 15 minutes in the morning or if you are looking for some

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Web 3.0 & NYT (Part 2)

Vertical Strategy The New York Times Company is operating in a number of key verticals (Jobs, Business & Finance, Health, Shopping, Real Estate, Autos, Technology / Gadgets, Travel, Entertainment, and Lifestyle) through its sites NYTimes.com, Boston.com, About.com, etc. We will take a look at the Company’s various online verticals in this segment. Vertical Search Consumersearch.com

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Web 3.0 and Verticalization

I have worked with the Web 3.0 framework for months now, and taken a crack at defining how the web is likely to evolve in the future. So here’s a recap of the thesis so far. I will be adding a dimension to this framework shortly, so it is a good time to stop and

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Facebook’s Monetization Strategy (Part 1)

I have, so far, refrained from joining the hype machine around Facebook. However, things are plain out-of-control right now, with rumors about them turning down $6 Billion acquisition offer from Microsoft, and more recently, that $10 Billion is what they think they’re worth. All this, on an annualized revenue of how much? $150 Million, right?

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