Google Homepage Themes -- Cute Now, Dangerous Later

[Ian David]

As a software company, Google's adherence to the "release early, release often" philosophy is exemplary.

Today's Google release of note is the addition of themes for Google Personalized Homepage, it's widgetized Ajax/RSS start page service along the lines of offerings from Netvibes, My Yahoo, Pageflakes and others. The simple templates add a little color and character to a user's basic Google Personalized Homepage. The themes are all pretty cutesy at this point -- there's a cityscape that presents a hand-drawn pastel skyline at the top of the page and a "Sweet Dreams" theme that shows the sun, moon and stars. The themes are also dynamic. They change based on the time of day (the sun sets, the moon rises) or current weather conditions (note the rainy bus stop scene in my GPH screenshot below).

While these themes are obviously very lighthearted and fun, they point to a possible future for ad revenue on Google Personalized Homepage that's much more serious.



First, Google could offer custom, branded homepage themes for corporations and open a new revenue stream. You're a huge Will Farrell fan? Get a Blades of Glory theme. Can't live without obeying your thirst for lemon and lime flavors? Grab a Sprite theme. As Steve Rubel notes on his Micro Persuasion blog, specially branded pages -- which have been a feature on other homepage services My Yahoo -- are more immersive than branded widgets or RSS news feeds on these pages.

Second, Google could open up the themes to total user customization and gain an edge over competing services. The themes are CSS files, not complicated at all. Much in the way people can customize their MySpace or Twitter pages, Google Homepage users could truly personalize their homepages with custom images. Or, they could pick a theme from thousands of pre-fab creations drawn by third-party designers.

More:
http://blog.wired.com/monkeybites/2007/03/google_homepage.html

[SteppingRazor]

1. How is this dangerous?

The two points brought up here — the marketing revenue stream and the deeper personalization — don't seem like big deals to me. If you want a personalized google, fine. And this probably wouldn't give Google an edge over competitors, as they would likely follow suit.

And if you're actually willing to pay money to have a Blades of Glory-themed homepage, also OK by me. A sucker's born every minute.

So, what's the damage here? :shrug:

[havocmom]

4. Possibly due to their request for a zip code? Fine, pick a zip code

ANY zip code ;)

[Ian David]

5. I don't see a real problem, either. n/t

[originalpckelly]

2. THEY'RE GOING TO TAKE OVER THE WORLD ONE CUSTOMIZED...

THEME BACKGROUND AT A TIME!!!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :scared: :cry:

[SteppingRazor]

3. GET AHOLD OF YOURSELF, MAN!!!

:rofl: