News, Fairfax Angry at 'Google Real Estate'
By Martin Kelly, Editor, Search Engine Room
GOOGLE’S entry into the Australian real estate market has reportedly angered two of its biggest advertisers, News Limited and Fairfax Media.
They dominate the sector, worth an estimated $144m each year in ad revenue, through Domain.com.au (Fairfax) and Realestate.com.au (News). Around 30% of their traffic comes from Google, according to Hitwise.
Greg Ellis, Chief Executive of Real Estate Australia, told the Sydney Morning Herald that Google wanted to have it both ways.
“It will be interesting to see how Google reconciles its ability to encourage companies to purchase AdWords, buy Google Maps and DoubleClick services and then compete with these companies who currently who currently or intend to buy those services,” Ellis said.
Lloyd Whish-Wilson from Fairfax commented: “We are looking at our options at the moment. We are obviously not keen to support a would be competitor with our revenue.”
Google has started sourcing listings from real estate aggregators such as Homehound and plotting them on Google Maps.
It is also allowing real estate agents to list properties for free. Fairfax and News have declined to participate. Search Engine Room: July 27, 2009
