Add to iTunesSemantic Web Gang: Discuss the launch of Glue
Last week, we sat down with part of the team from Adaptive Blue and talked about (among other things) their new product Glue.
The team has definitely been on the ‘podcast circuit’ as today the next edition of The Semantic Web Gang was published (we syndicate SWG) and also discusses Glue. [Note: Alex Iskold, Adaptive Blue’s CEO, is a regular participant on the Semantic Web Gang, so this isn’t really surprising.]
Beyond discussing Glue, Gang members discuss their perspectives on the events, trends and companies that excelled in 2008… and those with work still to do.
December 8th, 2008 at 9:30 am
Although I understand how browser add-ons provide great value for users (including Glue), I struggle to see how a company can be profitable building add-ons. What are some typical profit formulas for browser add-on companies?
December 8th, 2008 at 9:40 am
@JC,
I think most of the monetization options would be the same as any other web tool. You could charge for a premium product, serve ads, etc… In fact, from an ad perspective it’s probably easier as you can override the HTML being shown and insert your own ad - if it didn’t screw up the user experience. (The point being no user could override you.)
Also, while I don’t think this is Glue’s approach. An IAC entity that makes a ton of money distributing a smiley face toolbar (Smiley Central). They make their money channeling users to a specific search engine.
To me the issue is how do you get distribution / or grow users some other way. It seems this is much harder then web apps even. In my interview with AB last week (previous post) I asked Alex about what it was like to build a company on top of the browser. He felt like user adoption was getting much easier. I’m not sure if this is true or not, but it’ll be fun to see what kind of adoption AB gets.
Finally, I’ll be interested in following Add-On-Con from a distance to see what they come up with.
– Sean
January 25th, 2009 at 6:34 pm
I am thinking too monetization options would be the same as any other web tool.