Google: New news service - publishers will be involved
Google has launched a new online news service called «Fast Flip.» Unlike Google News, publishers will receive a share of the advertising revenue.
Google has launched a new online news service called "Fast Flip". The content comes from almost 50 well-known US publications such as the New York Times, Washington Post or Newsweek, but also from websites such as the British BBC. "Fast Flip" combines the advantages of the online and offline worlds, according to Google News Manager Josh Cohen. The new application makes it possible to browse through selected articles like in a magazine. At the same time, users can put together a personalized content program, for example by selecting articles from specific journalists.
With the service launched in Google Labs, the search engine giant is reaching out to publishers, who have not previously received a share of the advertising revenue on Google News. According to Cohen, one graphic advertising element will be displayed per article. However, the Google News manager did not want to give details of the revenue split. A week ago, at the suggestion of the Newspaper Association of America (NAA), oogle had already brought up a payment system for publishers' content. The newspaper industry in the USA is currently struggling against falling revenues from circulation and advertising. According to the NAA, the advertising revenues of US newspapers (printed editions and online) fell by 29 percent year-on-year to 6.82 billion dollars in the second quarter of 2009.
With the service launched in Google Labs, the search engine giant is reaching out to publishers, who have not previously received a share of the advertising revenue on Google News. According to Cohen, one graphic advertising element will be displayed per article. However, the Google News manager did not want to give details of the revenue split. A week ago, at the suggestion of the Newspaper Association of America (NAA), oogle had already brought up a payment system for publishers' content. The newspaper industry in the USA is currently struggling against falling revenues from circulation and advertising. According to the NAA, the advertising revenues of US newspapers (printed editions and online) fell by 29 percent year-on-year to 6.82 billion dollars in the second quarter of 2009.
Expansion possible
The new service will initially be available on the web at the address fastflip.googlelabs.com be available. There will also be web applications for the iPhone and smartphones with the Android operating system. A test phase will show whether publishers from other regions will also be represented on "Fast Flip" in the future.
