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Millions of Addresses, Thousands of Sites, One Business

An anonymous reader writes "A New York Times piece looks at a rising power in the 'new internet bubble' that you may not have heard of before. The business, an outfit called NameMedia, has made a concerted effort to quietly purchase vast tracts of 'real estate' on the internet. The ultimate goal is to provide additional advertising and page views for content sites. 'Behind this suddenly active business category -- which includes companies like iREIT in Houston, Marchex in Seattle, and Demand Media in Santa Monica, Calif. -- is the recognition that not all Internet users turn to a search engine when they are confused about where to find something online. Rather, 5 percent to 10 percent of people will simply type in a name that sounds as if it might suit their needs. The so-called direct search or direct navigation approach is seldom fruitful for users, nor has it been particularly profitable for owners of the sites that they visit. An obscure Web address may have four or so visitors a month, and perhaps half will click on an ad.'"

4 of 97 comments (clear)

  1. Uhmm.... by suv4x4 · · Score: 4, Informative

    I think I speak of everyone, when I say: WTF

  2. Re:Namespace clutter by spottedkangaroo · · Score: 4, Informative

    Report those pages to google. Supposedly, pages that link to pages with only google ads are against the adwords rules.

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    Imagine if you weren't allowed to use roads because a bus company complained about your driving 3 times. --skunkpussy
  3. Nice business model... by Simon · · Score: 4, Informative
    ...it would be a shame if anything were to happened to it.

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    Simon

  4. Re:zlitch content by QuickFox · · Score: 4, Informative

    They really show Google ads on these pointless pages?
    If I did that my adsense account would be terminated. On the contrary, Google encourages domain squatting.
    --
    Terrorists can't threaten a country's freedom and democracy. Only lawmakers and voters can do that.