Can Google beat Groupon at its own game?

The search giant failed in its attempt to buy the popular group-discount site. Now it's launching its own version

Google's rival deals-service will actually be known as "Google Offers." But that didn't stop Flickr user Sean MacEntee from mocking up this Google-meets-Groupon logo.
(Image credit: CC BY: Sean MacEntee)

Google is preparing to launch its own group-buying service — Google Offers — to compete with Groupon. The internet giant recently tried to buy Groupon for $6 billion but was spurned, and Groupon is now getting ready for a $15 billion IPO. Google Offers will work like Groupon and LivingSocial, emailing users daily alerts about bargains in their area. Can Google's Groupon clone beat the original? (Watch a report about Google Offers)

No way. Google will not top Groupon: Google Offers is "no Groupon killer," says Greg Sterling at Search Engine Land. Groupon has a huge head start, with 50 million email subscribers. If Google's version is "very successful" it could eliminate some of the more than 100 smaller companies offering daily deals, but would still have to contend with Groupon and LivingSocial. And if Google doesn't build its service well, "it could flop."

"Confirmed: Google readies 'Google Offers' Groupon clone"

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/flexiimages/jacafc5zvs1692883516.jpg

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up

Google Offers will need to be shrewdly competitive: Google had little successwith its earlier bargain business, Google Coupons, says Lisa Barone in Small Business Trends, but it can knock Groupon off its pedestal if it's "smart." For example, Groupon takes 50 percent of the profits from its deals as a fee. If Google charges a "much smaller commission rate," it can snare the best business partners, and the best bargains, and "establish market dominance."

"Google testing Groupon clone for SMBs"

This is a gamble for Google, but one worth taking: There are already "dozens of Groupon clones out there," says Ryan Singel in Wired, and Google might quickly discover that nobody "wants to sign up for another daily email." But it's worth a shot — Google is so keen on extending its reach into local advertising markets that it was willing to shell out $6 billion for Groupon. If it can integrate Google Offers deals "into its popular online apps or ads," Google could "super-charge its efforts to be the leader not just in search ads, but in mobile ads as well" — even if it doesn't take down Groupon.

"A spurned Google makes its own Groupon"

To continue reading this article...
Continue reading this article and get limited website access each month.
Get unlimited website access, exclusive newsletters plus much more.
Cancel or pause at any time.
Already a subscriber to The Week?
Not sure which email you used for your subscription? Contact us