[photopress:265.jpg,full,alignright]In China, Google wants to localize its AdSense product. It has been cooperating with China Telecom and China Mobile in posting online advertising on their websites. Now changes in the registrant information of 265.com have warmed up the rumors that Google may take over the famous Chinese online directory.
(Speculation as to what Google is doing is the only way. Google is very, very close-mouthed about how it works, what it is doing, what it intends to do. CEO Eric Schmidt can talk fluently for half an hour on the subject of Google without giving away anything.)
Registrant in the domain record of 265.com was reported to have changed to Google on May 31. Then, by afternoon, the registrant information was changed back to 265.com.
Cui Jin, Google China’s public relations director, said, ‘We did not acquire 265.com and we have begun an investigation over the registrant change.’
Earlier this year, both Google and 265.com denied rumors that they were discussing a $20 million buyout.
In March, Google launched in China its own directory product called ‘Google Navigator’ after it discovered many of its Chinese users were confused by its basic search page.
Like 265.com, Google Navigator lists the most popular websites. Users only need to click the Web link on the page to enter their favorite websites instead of typing the key words.
Baidu, Google’s biggest Chinese rival that commands over half of the search market, established its own directory service in 2004 by taking over Hao123.com, another popular directory in China.
The suggestion is that Google has been eyeing 265.com as part of its efforts to catch up with Baidu in China’s online advertising market. Perhaps it has. And, equally, perhaps it has not. Cai Wensheng, the founder and CEO of 265.com, shown here, says not. Google says not. So there may be something in it.
Source: China.org.cn