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Could Google not argue that if GMail wasn't making money (through scanning email and serving ads), then they wouldn't have a business case for gmail, and it wou
by MAGZine 13y ago
Could Google not argue that if GMail wasn't making money (through scanning email and serving ads), then they wouldn't have a business case for gmail, and it wouldn't exist? In this sense, ads are absolutely instrumental in providing service. spam filtering and prioritzation, on the other hand, are not.
- cynwoody 13y agoThat's true. However, spam filtering (for sure) and prioritization (maybe) improve the user experience, thus drawing in more clients and retaining the existing base. Spam filtering, etc., make the service more attractive, boosting the user base, which makes it possible to charge more for the opportunity to show ads to the customer base, which, of course, is how Google gets paid. Spam filtering, etc., are no different than improving the Search Engine. Both attract more eyeballs and, thus, more ad revenue!
- gibwell 13y agoAd supported email existed before gmail started scanning people's email, so it is clearly not absolutely instrumental in providing the service. The allegation is that Google is attempting to make illegal additional profits by monetizing the users messages rather than just the service itself.