Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

Google to Newspapers: We Come in Peace

Search CEO says his company's not to blame for industry woes

By Kevin Spak,  Newser Staff

Posted Dec 3, 2009 9:07 AM CST

(Newser) – Newspapers of the world, Google CEO Eric Schmidt wants you to know that it’s not his fault. The print industry is certainly in crisis—it’s a “traditional technology struggling to adapt to a new, disruptive world”—but the anger at Google is misplaced, he writes in today’s Wall Street Journal. “Google is a great source of promotion. We send online news publishers a billion clicks a month…for free.”

Nor is Google really profiting off newspapers’ work. Google’s revenue comes mainly off product searches. A typical news search—for Afghanistan, for example—generates few if any ads. But a news-gathering crisis is a big deal, and Google “is serious about doing its part” to help publishers “develop new ways to reach readers.” Eventually technology is bound to create more news, not less. “Video didn’t kill the radio star,” he reasons. “It created a whole new industry.”

Eric Schmidt, Chairman of the Board and CEO of Google speaks at the Gartner Symposium ITxpo in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2009.
Eric Schmidt, Chairman of the Board and CEO of Google speaks at the Gartner Symposium ITxpo in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2009.   (AP Photo/John Raoux)
The logo of Google, seen on the front door of the new Google Engineering center in Zurich, Switzerland, in this March 6, 2008 file photo.
The logo of Google, seen on the front door of the new Google Engineering center in Zurich, Switzerland, in this March 6, 2008 file photo.   (AP Photo/Keystone, Walter Bier, file)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
My TakeCLICK BELOW TO VOTE
25%
0%
25%
0%
25%
25%
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 5 comments
GeminiMishy
Dec 4, 2009 8:01 AM CST
I'm flattered kokuaguy! I like your posts too. :) I post when I can, I am usually catching up on the news while on breaks at work.
kokuaguy
Dec 3, 2009 7:57 AM CST
Prag may have been speaking of "Gguy" -- I dig his/her comments also. But I just took a look at yours since you joined on Oct 27th and I find them (and you) to be delightful. I put youra up there almost on the same level with sharfeh and a couple notches down from my complicated, erudite friend deebles. My only complaint is that you don't post often enough. ; ^)
GeminiMishy
Dec 3, 2009 7:32 AM CST
Me? Really, thank you!

More Newser Stories

Google Drops Plans to Save Struggling Papers

Inside Google X Lab: Office Robots, Space Elevators

Google Bosses Not Using Google+

Google Faces FTC Antitrust Investigation

Eric Schmidt: Google Really 'Screwed Up' on Social Media


NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne