Google is trying to buy Digg for $200 million, says TechCrunch

But we've heard this one before. Whether or not it's true remains to be seen...


Google has a history of buying companies -- YouTube, Blogger, Picasa, GrandCentral, Keyhole (Google Earth), Writely (Google Docs), JotSpot (Google Sites), Dodgeball etc -- so this wouldn't be a surprise. Also, as TechCrunch points out: "Most of Digg's revenue comes from a three year ad deal with Microsoft, which will be terminated on a sale to Google." This would add a little spice, and might tempt Microsoft to make a counter-offer.

The trickier question is why Google would want Digg in the first place, apart from the usual: it would provide a platform for Google to place zillions of adverts. Digg might benefit from association with Google, which smooches prime ministers and presidents, but would Google benefit from association with Digg, which appears to be increasingly dominated by jerks?

In any case, we've been round the houses on this one before. During the last "Google buys Digg" inflammation, in March, Digg CEO Jay Adelson posted a note:


Whether this is another non-story remains to be seen....