I shouldn't have used "profits"... I guess I'm thinking of what is called "Net Present Value"...which basically factors in short term losses for long term gain

I shouldn't have used "profits"... I guess I'm thinking of what is called "Net Present Value"...which basically factors in short term losses for long term gains. Which kind of is what you're saying with "value creation" I guess. In which case, yes, they decided to give away Google Search for free (as well as GMail) because they saw future revenue streams in another area. My point is calling it "free" is BS in terms of NPV - which business decisions are all about, which valuation is all about, etc.