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Why does Google need to operate locally in each country in the first place? Isn't that just a needless expenditure? More employees, more domain names, more deal
by domador 15y ago
Why does Google need to operate locally in each country in the first place? Isn't that just a needless expenditure? More employees, more domain names, more dealings with localized bureaucracies and pesky removal requests? Rather than put itself in a losing position against local governments, Google should let local governments take on their own constituents (and risk angering them by censoring the international version of Google's sites.) A tradeoff between full access or no access to Google is safer for freedom than the complacency-inducing availability of a watered-down, locally-censored Google.
Now, if it's a matter of maximizing profit, this move seems to make sense from Google's standpoint. Having some ads on localized, yet partially-censored Google properties would produce greater profit than showing zero ads in a country that completely censors the international version.
- rryan 15y agoWell, for one Google doesn't operate locally in every country. Moving into a given country comes with tradeoffs which Google surely weighs. Off the top of my head, I assume the decision to move into a country is a balancing act between these pros and cons: Pros: * Quality of sales operations are probably much better when run by people local to the country. Out-of-country call-centers are probably a huge turn-off compared to someone local who can build rapport and speak fluently in the local tongue. * Google can't hire smart engineers fast enough -- they're just too hard to find. Since smart people are found worldwide, to maximize effective hiring you need to hire worldwide. Cons: * You pay taxes in the country. * You have more responsibility to adhere to local laws, takedown requests, etc.
- domador 15y agoGood points!