Bangalore: The world’s most preferred search engine- Google, is one of the best innovators around the globe. But most of the success is shared by its famous acquisitions. Google is one of the proud companies to have some of the renowned takeovers, which includes more than a hundred companies.
So here’s the list featuring top 10 expensive Google takeovers.
#1. Motorola Mobility:
Acquisition cost: $12.5 Billion
Year: 2012
The Motorola Mobility Holdings Inc. takeover is Google’s biggest ever acquisition. With a massive $12.5 billion as acquisition price, it’s thrice bigger than Google’s previous highest, the takeover of online advertising company DoubleClick for $3.2 billion in 2008. It’s also more than the total amount Google spend in buying nearly 200 companies since they went public in 2004.
#2. DoubleClick
Acquisition Cost: $3.2 Billion
Year: 2007
One of the best moves from Google, the launch of Google into the display advertising business was through their acquisition of DoubleClick in 2007. This $3.2 billion takeover helped Google to provide better multimedia ads over the old fashioned short links. $2.5 billion a year is what Google supposedly makes from display advertising.
#3. Youtube
Acquisition Cost: $1.76 billion
Year: 2006
Another renowned takeover is Google’s $1.76 billion acquisition of online video sharing site, Youtube. The takeover of Youtube in 2006 was considered as a huge risk as Youtube was known only for its copyrighted content that users used to upload without any permission and home videos. After the takeover, Google has masterfully discussed the contents with its owners and applied a very good takedown policy. From a site that had billions in lawsuits to one of the most preferred entertainment destinations, Google simply carried Youtube to greater heights. With an estimated $ 1 billion a year, Youtube is one of the best Google acquisitions up to date.
#4. ITA Software
Acquisition Cost: $700 Million
Year 2011
ITA Travel Service, an airline fare tracker helped Google to be introduced in the online travel market. The nearly $700 million purchase of ITA, which compiles of flight information for airlines and travel agencies, has raised some eyebrows of bitter rivals like Microsoft Bing and Kayak even after Google clearing the regulatory rules. But whatever the case, this takeover has taken Google to the top in travel market and that gave the number 4 spot in our top 10 Google acquisitions.
#5. AdMob
Acquisition Cost: $681 Million
Year: 2010
The acquisition of the mobile advertising service provider, AdMob gave Google the much needed push in the mobile market. This $681 million stock buy took Google to new heights in the mobile advertising market. The AdMob acquisition of Google makes it to the number 5 spot in top 10 expensive Google acquisitions.
#6. Widevine Technologies
Acquisition Cost: $158 Million
Year: 2010
In 2010 Google paid off $158 million in acquiring Widevine Technologies which is digital-right management software. This acquisition helped Google with some powerful DRM and streaming technology. Widevine works with companies in delivering protected video across the multiple channels and helps to content piracy. This takeover from Google is in at number 6 spot in expensive Google acquisitions.
#7. On2 Technologies
Acquisition Cost: $123 Million
Year: 2010
The acquisition by Google over On2 is at number 7 spot in our top 10 expensive takeovers by Google. A provider of digital video compression technology, On2 was bought by Google in 2010 for a sum amount of $123 million. The main reason of Google going for On2 was to cut the bandwidth cost at Youtube. The VP8 video codec that Google acquired from this deal has been renamed as WebM and since then Google have continuously been promoting WebM over H.264 which is the widely used standard for Web video.
#8. Keyhole
Acquisition Cost: Undisclosed
Year: 2004
A little known digital mapping service, Keyhole propelled itself into the top spot after being acquired by Google. Google used services of Keyhole to integrate with Google Maps which was mainly used for online directions. A combination of images from satellites and aircrafts along with tera-bytes of data is what Keyhole Technology provides and Google took advantage of this and implemented in their Google Maps, which now is the most preferred software for online directions. Still the financial terms of this acquisition are not disclosed.
#9. GrandCentral Communications
Acquisition Cost: Around $50 million
Year: 2007
Google made the giant leap in the Telecommunications market after acquiring GrandCentral Communications for an undisclosed sum of around $50 million. Google took this Web-phone service and later rebranded it as Google Voice.
#10. Android Mobile Platform
Acquisition Cost: Estimated up to $50 million
Year: 2005
The takeover of Android mobile platform is at number 10 spot in our top 10 expensive acquisitions by Google. Google acquired Android from ex-Danger leader Andy Rubin who started this mobile platform. Since then Android is one of the most preferred mobile operating systems over the world. With a built-in-userbase for mobile search and an annual contribution around $1 billion, there is no doubt that Android is the “best deal ever” by Google.