Google to charge for premium searches?

NEWS First published 26.10.2001 Google is considering boosting its revenues by charging users for specialised searches. The service would target niche markets in corporate and academic circles, billing users who want to conduct searches under specific topics such as medicine or technology. Google has grown in the past few years to overtake older internet brands such as AltaVista. But with 70 per cent of its revenue coming from advertising, and its preference for text based ads over more consumer friendly banner advertising, the company is increasingly coming under pressure to diversify its revenue streams. It already boosts its finances through licensing deals with portals such as Yahoo and Sony, but subscription charges are proving a popular option for many cash-strapped dot-coms. Online media outlets such as the New York Times, Salon.com, the Times and Yahoo have all recently adopted various paid-for content models. Technology news site Slashdot also announced this week that it will start charging users for an advertising free version of its service, while readers who opt to stay with the free version can expect larger banner ads. Google added that while a subscription model is under review it has no immediate plans to implement charges.