Google’s Hal Bailey discusses domain parking at DOMAINfest.
In what can only be described as an awkward session, Google Adsense for Domains’ Hal Bailey discussed the future of the domain channel at DOMAINfest Global today in Los Angeles.
The good news for domainers is that Bailey said the company is committed to the domain channel and believes it adds value to domainers. Google (NASDAQ: GOOG) will not exit the domain channel “any time soon”, he said. He also said Google does not want to compete with domain parking companies and views them as a value-add.
“We value our partners,” Bailey said. “They provide value to us and they provide value to [domainers].”
In 2008, Google focused on traffic quality, and that will continue.
The session started turned awkward once the floor was opened up for questions. It was awkward for a couple reasons. First, some of the audience’s questions didn’t make sense or where about Google products unrelated to Adsense for Domains. Bailey’s group doesn’t actually manage the Adsense for Domains “direct” product, and only works with partners such as Oversee. Second, the audience was generally hostile to Google’s perceived lack of transparency. Bailey dodged many questions stating he couldn’t comment on them. When I asked Bailey what, other than the economy, was driving down domain parking revenue, he replied it was the economy.
Bailey will be at the networking session this afternoon to meet with domainers face-to-face.
RKB says
Nice info. Thanks for posting.
Rob Sequin says
Sounds like Hal needs to brush up on his political non-answer deflect-the-question replies.
Kevin Ohashi says
There video of this session? Domain Parking co’s are a value-add in terms of designing technology and optimizing it, but they are also value-taking in that they have to give up a larger share for it….
Andrew Allemann says
The video I captured didn’t come out well.
The biggest value-add of the domain companies is Google doesn’t have to provide support to every jack and jane domain owner.
Johnny says
Nice reporting. 🙂
The word “committed” kinda’ contrasts with “not any time soon”. I wish he was more clear.
Good news, anyhow.
Andrew Allemann says
@ Johnny “The word “committed” kinda’ contrasts with “not any time soon”
Hal was very cautious. If he said they were “committed” and then there was a shake-up in a year, people would say he lied. So I think he was just covering himself.
jp says
I fealt like even though some of the questions were a bit off Hal still didn’t actually really answer any of the questions that were asked. Fortunately he did slip in those positive nuggets like “Google is not pulling out of the domain channel any time soon”.
Why doesn’t he just admit that when he says “Transparency” he is talking about end users. The advertisers only enjoy slightly more transparancey than we do.
Bihar says
This is interesting, is there any specified number of domains one has to obtain to use it.
Andrew Allemann says
@ Bihar – it used to require 750k uniques/month to get a direct account. The Google Adsense for Domains “online” has no minimum.