Google to Test PayPal Rival

Carl Bialik from WSJ writes "Google is set to introduce a test version of its GBuy online-payment service as early as this week, presaging a shake-up in the online-payments market now dominated by eBay's PayPal, the Wall Street Journal reports. From the article: 'Here is how the service will work: Consumers who search for items like "shoes" or "strollers" on Google's search site will see text ads with a symbol or icon designating advertisers that accept GBuy payments. Shoppers normally would have clicked on an ad and been linked to that merchant's Web site. Now, while they will still be linked to the merchant's site, they will go through a different checkout process integrated with Google if they choose GBuy for their transaction. Details of the service could still change before Google's official GBuy announcement.'"

Comments

I like google as much as the next /.er,

[tpjunkie]

but seriously, don't you think they've begun to seriously overextend themselves, as well as take on a sort of microsoft-borg-ish nature, assimilating anything and everything it encounters?

Re:I like google as much as the next /.er,

[Stalli0n]

Clearly, Microsoft is the Borg and Google is the Flood - learn your nerdferences!

Re:I like google as much as the next /.er,

[xtracto]

I like google as much as the next /.er,

Do not talk for me, as I do not like Google too much, for one they treat their customer pretty bad. To the extent that they prohibit criticism of their AdSense "service" terms and conditions on participating sites..

And then some, their search engine is sucking a bit too much lately (personally I think search.yahoo.com returns more relevant results). And as you state, they are focusing in nothing and trying to compete with every technology available. As has been stated before they are a public company and as this they enter into the set named "Corporations" which only target and focus is to get more money for the shareholders. When their usual "ways" (i.e. the initial things they did to get money as Adsense in searches) stops to work they cant help but look for other ways of revenew, or die.

So, behold the new Google Inc. 10 years from now (if not less) Google will be what IBM was 20 years ago, and what Microsoft has been these 10 years.

(go ahead mod my day)

Re:I like google as much as the next /.er,

[neonprimetime]

Just as long as Google doesn't replace Slashdot with GDot ... I'm thinking they're ok.

Re:I like google as much as the next /.er,

[Aqua_boy17]

I think I heard that they also piloted 'GSpot' but quickly gave up on the idea. Seems that most men had a very difficult time finding it

Re:I like google as much as the next /.er,

[Anonymous Coward]

then see the light and turn themselves around? That's IBM.

They aren't all the way there yet, they still do some sleazy stuff. For example, they have spammed Wikipedia with their AlphaWorks/DeveloperWorks articles (as in: added links themselves to lots of different articles as part of an instituted policy and been placed on the blacklist as a result).

Re:I like google as much as the next /.er,

[donutello]

but I want to know if you think that means that Google will go evil, but then see the light and turn themselves around? That's IBM.

IBM is only not-evil to the extent that their business doesn't conflict with your zealotry.

Again??

[tygerstripes]

I for one welcome my...

Jeez, is there anything these guys won't get there fingers in? Don't get me wrong, I like what they've done so far, but is it possible for a company to expand beyond a certain critical mass and still stick to the operating principle "Don't Be Evil"?

I just hope the Geegees aren't going to turn nasty and suddenly warrant a big anti-monopoly order or somesuch. I just couldn't take the smug look on Bill's face...

Re:Again??

[linvir]

The problem is that as Google grows and grows off the back of low-key ads and simplicity, the rest of the industry isn't taking the hint. So Google is pretty much alone in filling this gap in each area of the web.

Don't worry though. If they really start to take over, the bean counters will catch on, and companies might actually start to compete with Google on their terms. I think this might have already happened at Yahoo, but even then most of of that page is taken up by an irrelevant photo.

Good

[p0tat03]

I run a web store on the side, and if GBuy can come up with the same type of merchant rates that PayPal can, I'm completely sold. I've never been screwed by PayPal (yet), but I've heard the horror stories.

this really suits their other plans ;)

[Skal Tura]

As some of you know, this is perfect for what they are just testing: commissions advertising (aka affiliate stuff).

This would nicely prevent frauds, as the payments will go thru google, a advertiser cannor report 0 sales even if sales was made. This would remove one cheating possibility, where as AdSense currently is plagued with click fraud, there won't be such a problem with this type of advertising.

As an Australian...

[zegebbers]

We already have G'day, now we'll have Gbuy.

Thanks, I'll be here all week, try the veal!

Google Micropayments

[sweetnjguy29]

If Gbuy would support micropayments, that would be groundbreaking! I have plenty of stuff to sell in the $1 range, but no economical way to do it!

The other big question would be whether Ebay will allow people to pay with Gbuy!

Re:Google Micropayments

[14erCleaner]

The other big question would be whether Ebay will allow people to pay with Gbuy!

No, but Gbay will.

competition is good!

[TheGratefulNet]

I have been WAITING eagerly for a real competitor to paypal. the amount of guff you have to put up with from the paypal corp is just too much! and the ONLY reason they get away with it is because there is no competition.

my last horror story re: paypal was when I bought an online ebay item and there was no option to have shipping done (from this vendor) with insurance. the item was mailed 'media mail' which is UNCONFIRMED. the PO considers it confirmed delivery but the postman HIMSELF signs the delivery receipt! what good is that?? so my mailmain supposedly delivered it and signed for it himself. of course I never got the pkg.

I emailed the seller and no reply. he had 'confirmation' from the PO and so ignored me. I filed a case with the PO but they didn't really care (obviously). I tried calling paypal (emailing them, first) and they kept saying 'it was delivered so your claim is rejected'.

problem was: there was NO HUMAN looking at this so-called delivery receipt. the date was wrong (it was the wrong DECADE, too - what a blunder in their database!) and there was no signature online to prove it really did get delivered. it was a losing battle to explain this to them. they didn't care. they are on the side of the 'power sellers' and they know where their money is earned ;(

if they think they can accept delivery confirmations that say "1900" as the year and then close my case, well, I hope they get some cosmic justice for all the scams and abuse from their customers. I hope google eats them alive.

the more powerful google gets, the more I do worry; but paypal needs to have some humble pie fed to them. its about time.

Re:God for bid it be regulated

[L0neW0lf]

Why is it so impossible to have paypal or other online bill pay regulated. I mean is it that hard to make paypal a real bank so they are held accountable.

PayPal doesn't WANT to be a bank, and unless they apply to become one, they won't be held to the same standards as one. They WANT to be an "online payment processing service", which exempts them from FDIC (in the current unlikely chance they fold, you lose any money stored there rather than getting up to $100k back like a bank) and from lots of rules and oversight that they don't want to do, because this way they can go on shafting those who use the service. As long as they're the only game in town, you get to play by their rules.

There's a reason I no longer take PayPal on Ebay: see http://www.gripe2ed.com/scoop/story/2006/3/6/8326/ 75161

Re:I just wonder...

[BriamKG]

Will they enter Poland?

Well, that is usually the first step