Hacker Newsnew | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submitlogin

A search engine. Still alive and popular.


Also adwords (the product that is actually sold). Brilliant idea: users only see ads relevant to their interests; advertisers get qualified users, and instant feedback and adjustment; google gets the highest price possible (by advertisers bidding against each other).

Google is double the good guy: (1) helps users for free, because advertisers pay for it (like free-to-air TV); (2) advertisers can't complain about google's high prices, because it's the other guy who bid it up (like selling munitions in an arms race).

I believe google came up with this independently BUT goto/overture did it first, patented it, sued, and google settled.

So far as revenue is concerned, this is Google's only product.




Consider applying for YC's Summer 2026 batch! Applications are open till May 4

Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: