In Conversation with Mark Fletcher, CEO of Bloglines it is suggested that Bloglines is copying Google's model of making money through ads. Google's model is spreading quickly (even on some of my favourite blogs, I'm afraid to say). No ads on Google itself, they tease others putting ads provided by Google on affiliate sites. Very clever, rabbits will agree. Now, Bloglines is trying to copy the idea, or so it appears. Others provide the content, Bloglines picks up the profit. That is what I call taking advantage of the idea of Creative Commons.
The web is a place where there is a tug-of-war between those who want to share and those who want to make money. When more and more people move from the sharing end to the money making end, however small the transition might feel at the time, the worse it well get. Those who aspire to make money should perhaps try to be more creative rather than copying an existing business model. (I think the Google model is sick, comparable to the make-money schemes).
When there is breaking news, like today, I have a choice between CNN and BBC News 24. CNN corries with ads about every 10 minutes, BBC News 24 has no ads at all. Obvious choice, and I'm indirectly paying for it. That business model works.
PS. Cannot find a "comments" button on Mark Fletcher's blog. Why?
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