Google Offers: Google’s Groupon challenger is being tested
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Google is currently testing Google Offers, a product that could rival the popular Groupon voucher website.
The move to develop such an service comes after Google reportedly tried and failed to buy Chicago-based Groupon for as much as $6 billion.
Nate Tyler, a Google spokesman, sent this statement to the Technology blog Friday morning:
Google is communicating with small businesses to enlist their support and participation in a test of a pre-paid offers/vouchers program. This initiative is part of an ongoing effort at Google to make new products, such as the recent Offer Ads beta, that connect businesses with customers in new ways. We do not have more details to share at this time, but will keep you posted.
Google’s approach with Google Offers is likely to be similar to that of Groupon, which teams with local businesses to offer discounted products and services that are issued only when a set number of people agree to purchase the deal. Groupon’s offers are usually only offered in a specific city with a company local to that city.
Groupon’s profile has risen in recent months, particularly after the reports of Google, a tech heavyweight, wanting to buy it. Founded in November 2008, Groupon recently raised $950 million in financing. The website operates in 35 countries and has more than 50 million subscribers.
The company’s revenue comes from taking a cut from each discount coupon it sells.
The website Mashable broke the news of Google Offers Thursday night.
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-- Nathan Olivarez-Giles