Roughly a month ago Google launched their beta version Google Base, their free-classified ad program. At the time there was a lot of hoopla from disgruntled eBay sellers about Google providing some serious competition to eBay.

AuctionBytes had an article titled eBay Powersellers Jump On Google Base that reflected the optimism a lot of people had for Google Base.

Shortly after Google Base was announced, I’d responded to a post about it on Jim Wilson’s Auctionhints Forum by saying in part:

“Historically, Google doesn’t have the best record for getting rid of the bugs before launching a new product or service.”

Now, a month later, we’re not hearing much from the Powersellers who jumped on Google Base as to whether it’s providing any competition for eBay. But Google Base has accomplished one thing.

They’ve made a lot of affiliates for porno sites huge chunks of money. While most of them aren’t talking about it, here’s a conversation with one anonymous affiliate who made $315,000 in one month placing classifieds on Google Base that included his affiliate links to porno membership sites.

It looks to me as though Google has a long way to go before they are going to pose any kind of serious competition to eBay.

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