Last year I got greeting card written in various languages. This year my Google revenue is down by 60% :(

Google referral was working great but they canceled it that too (Firefox ref was really good). When I reapplied for new referrer program, they declined my application without any information.

So many stupid decision made by Google; no wonder they are loosing market share.

How about gifts of AdWords vouchers? :)

So many stupid decision made by Google; no wonder they are loosing market share.

This morning, MediaPost's Online Media Daily reported that Google has 54.9 percent more active advertisers than it did in in the 4th quarter of 2007. Maybe Google's decisions haven't been as stupid as you'd like to think. :-)

google is considering to let go employees to keep profit margins high and to satisfy wallstreet

(emphasis mine) But what about satisfying people earning Google money?

Of couse I will send out christmas gift to my clients: it's a great way to show them that I appreciate their existence!

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To be honest, I don't care about getting a gift from Google, never have gotten one...

google is considering to let go employees to keep profit margins high and to satisfy wallstreet

Just out of curiosity, where did that rumor come from? Google has talked about cutting back on contractors, but I don't believe they've said anything about laying off employees.

Just wrote my first check, in a long time, to a certain charity and it's not that I have more to give this year than last. It's more like I suspect others may not be giving as much as they have in the past - at a time when the need is greatest.

Webwork, at a time where everyone is thinking of 'me first' it's nice to see others taking the lead to think of others in dire need.

Who cares really, the gifts were always pretty lame if you ask me.

It's the thought that counts!

>>It doesn't make sense for Google to send out gifts when they are firing their employees.

I'd be willing to give up my gift if it helps to save someone's job. Profitability is always relative. There are a lot of profitable companies that cut employees to increase profits. It wouldn't be very smart to wait until you're bankrupt to let people go.

Just thinking out loud...

G has a couple of years of operational cash if they didn't get another dime in revenue.

10,000 contractors @ $100,000 per year is $1 Billion, or 20% of their profit.
So they need to make $6 Billion?

Those 10,000 people couldn't make something interesting software-wise? Perhaps an application that Google would -GASP- try to charge for instead of giving everything away, like a normal sane company.

Maybe if Google raised a couple of nice new apps like, I dunno, some app where you could see the world and zoom in on places or something and charged a tiny fee for it instead of making everyone in the world feel that everything on the net should be free, the net might be a better, more profitable place for everyone. ;)

Everyone complains when some large oil company makes a 10% profit and rakes in $50 billion while producing a vital product for everyone and employing gazillions of people and enabling the entire US economy, but nobody bats an eyelash when some giant search engine company makes a 30%+ profit and rakes in $5 billion while making..... what? And sending how much overseas, out of the US economy, to non US publishers running primarily US targeted ads to primarily US consumers from primarily US companies.

Just talking out loud...

And sending how much overseas, out of the US economy, to non US publishers running primarily US targeted ads to primarily US consumers from primarily US companies.

What about all the money that Google is raking in from overseas by selling ads to non-U.S. advertisers? In 3Q 2008, 51 percent of Google's revenues came from outside the U.S.

just to be clear, google is considering to let go employees to keep profit margins high and to satisfy wallstreet.

Whatever their reasons, they are still dumping employees. The money they use to send gifts to publishers should be used as a bonus to give to released employees.

Google gives me a gift every month in the form of a big fat paycheck. Other ad companies haven't worked for me...if anything I should be sending Google a gift. I can hold off on a gift this year because there aren't a lot of people right now that have been as fortunate as I have.

The best gift from Google was when we could donate $100 to charity of our own choice. I helped my local school buy a projector for a science class.

The other junk that I have received was cheap and useless. An electronic picture frame I once got never really worked. A cute looking radio was useless too.

Google thanks for not sending the gift; it was just contributing to global warming.

Personally, if it were up to me I'd pass a law banning any marketing/promotions gifts that weren't edible, recyclable or quickly biodegradable. I just cringe when we get stuff in the mail that we would never really use and can't be put in the recycling container.

I think if google are letting go employees it would be wrong to send out Chritmas gifts to adsense partners. I think the money should be spent on renumerating employees for good service.

Perhaps to satisfy there key adsense people google could send them the bean cushion's there former employees sat on.

ASA:

Let’s just say that I made about +/- $850,000 USD this year with AdSense. Not really, but just for the sake of this forum post. ;)

With all things being equal..., no bad economy... what would you have sent me?

A Google key chain?

A Google tie clip?

Oh, wait, a multi-color Google pen, (that would have been cool!)

How about a Google LED candy dish?

Yeah, that’s it, right?

Getting serious below
VVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVVV

Hey Google: Thanks for the pay check, it is all that you and I have ever agreed upon and you have NEVER been late, not even once in 5 years.

Thanks G! Me wishing you a grand 2009!

Works better then a gift.

Send out a letter letting us know that you are having a difficult time getting out gifts this year. Sorry Google we are with you and understand (generally because the gifts were to cheap in the first place).

The letter costs the same as what the gift would be.

The letter costs the same as what the gift would be

I think I would be happy with an email which costs nothing.

Google, please say "Merry Christmas" though, NOT "Merry Xmas"

This is pretty timely. My wife used the donate card they gave us last year to buy some books for a local school. We just got a thank you letter and some pictures last week. It nearly broke my heart to see how many kids were effected by such a simple gift. It actually makes me want to do more.

I agree with the 'don't give it to me, but do give it to others' sentiment. The donate card was a great idea. probably one of the most memorable gifts I've ever received.

With that said, I don't expect anything from Google but good service for the money.

We will however be giving our clients gifts because it doesn't cost that much and I think they appreciate it.

Bill

Are you people insane? The company cleared 5 billion and puts that money in the bank, doesnt give anything to its shareholders and is letting ten thousand people go and you think that its ok and you are buying into a line that things are somehow tough for them?

You do know that even the Republican justice department thinks they have a monopoly that is crushing competitors that might be competing for your inventory and paying you a higher payout percentage.

How is this not an evil company?

As if a few gifts would put a dent into their profits. LOL

Don't care in any case, as I haver never been the recipient of their gifts.

You do know that even the Republican justice department thinks they have a monopoly that is crushing competitors that might be competing for your inventory and paying you a higher payout percentage

Good thing for Google that the Republicans have been shown the door, otherwise they may have found themselves on the Places To Bomb - Axis Of Evil short-list.......... LOL LOL LOL

Well, I sent out pricey ($100)gifts to my major clients. I can't afford to lose any. With Adsense advertisers pulling back on spends fast and furious, I've had to smooze the long time major advertisers in hopes of keeping them. I've lost minor clients to the tune of over $300 in the past two weeks. This is no time to dis those that have been with me for many years.

With Adsense earnings plummeting to 2005 levels, no more advertisers taking the entire block for high cpc, if I make any less, I might have to find work after 17 years of working the web. lol jk

The only thing that keeps me going is the fact that everything I own is paid for. No mortgage, no car payments, no loans. My over head is so low, it may make the difference between me hanging tough, while others crash. While I was making big bucks, I took my own advice doled out here at WW, and paid cash all along the way for all major purchases.

When Adsense revenues began to crash last month, I dumped a pile of domain names I was holding for future projects. I cut back some cell phone perks and quit getting all my email on my Blackberry. I helped out family by giving them cell phones on my account (which they pay for), saving them over $100 a month. It is making it easier for them to pay their own way.

When I go out to eat, I still tip 20%, but I go out a 10th of what I use to. Instead of a month-long vacation this year, I invested $20k (cash) in updating my livingroom and kitchen, making things more cozy while increasing the value of my home. I enjoy lounging about more and go out less in general. That has been a huge savings to me, each and every month.

The money it has saved me in fuel alone has made a huge difference. I use a quarter the fuel I did early in the year and in years past. This winter, for the first time in many years, I did not buy a new fall/winter wardrobe. I am recycling clothing from past years. It is not obvious, because I don't go out much now. That money paid for an elegant upgrade to my main bathroom, with all new paint, window treatments, linens and accessories. This is the room people see when they come to my home for long stays, such as meals. It is simply breath-taking now.

I decorated for the holiays with outdoor lights, but used energy efficient lights and put them on a timer. The high number of solar lights have added to effect without the monthly cost. I could spend the day listing the changes I made this year, that have saved me thousands of dollars a month, without anyone being able to tell I had cut way back.

These are the kind of cuts you make, not cutting holiday gifts to those who feed you. That is an upfront cut back that people really notice. You cut back things people do not notice, if you're smart.
To all those who think they know me, I am living large. It doesn't look like I have cut back at all, in fact it appears I am doing better than ever. That is the key to sucessful cut backs. The new 52" television in the livingroom above the new fireplace is very deceptive. That alone I recouped in only one month of staying home and not throwing money around. Now, after a long day at the computer, I go unwind for a couple hours in my new livingroom, instead of dumping an easy $100-200 out on the town.

I personally think there are many ways a company can cut back, without killing the holidays. It is a low blow to those who are struggling. The plex could have cut the free breakfast and lunch, and just kept supper for their employees at the begining of the year.

Come on, nobody feeds the help, except restaurants and sometimes hotels that also have a restaurant on site. Less perks could have saved jobs. I bet there are people kicking stones now, wishing Google had cut meals and perks to all employees and kept them working. When you terminate workers in lump sums, while other continue to enjoy outrageous excesses, it is hard to find logic in that.

While Google has been worried about giving their employees more than any other employer in the world, they were alienating advertisers and publishers, who form their bread and butter. That is not very bright for people who collectively have a combined IQ higher than the entire population of some nations.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to get my holiday cards made out today and mailed for all my small clients. Then, I am off to buy the gifts for the USPS letter carrier. When I have packages he hunts me down, will come back around after he is done, to see if I am back and can receive my package. I get alot of packages, since I bargain hunt on the web and grab all that free shipping. He knows I am good for a great holiday gift, and goes the extra mile for me all year long.

While I am at it, I have to grab my usual gifts for the UPS Store.
When I was ill with cancer this year, and made the payments on my mail boxes a few days late because I was in the hospital, they didn't charge me any late fees, which would have really added up. That is what smoozing with nice holiday gifts gets you ... devotion when you REALLY need it.

These are the kind of cuts you make, not cutting holiday gifts to those who feed you.

So the gift you're sending to the Google AdSnse team this year is....? :-)

How is this not an evil company?

Any place that helps me avoid having to get a real job is all right with me. :)

I got a 12v refrig from Adwords for Christmas... haven't tried it out yet but it has adapters for 110v too and a car plug. I plan on taking it to the boat. Its decent sized.. I was really surprised when it showed up UPS.

Any place that helps me avoid having to get a real job is all right with me. :)

You blow me away mate. Then again, I'm a notoriously lazy 66 year old retiree.

Well the frig and the mug package others have reported, blows the "no gift" rumor out of the water. Sounds like the truth is, some are getting great gifts, others are getting a note in WW saying they are getting nothing. Just a wee bit tacky.

I think vccubed may be stuck in a timewarp... ;)

Ouch, one company was desperately waiting on that massive yearly Google order i'm sure. In the end none of us get a token or trinket but the people working at the company who would have produced the stuff don't get the sale.

It doesn't bother me one bit not to get anything from Google but I feel for those who depend on something Google makes possible when Google cancels the Google love. We all need more Google, Google it!

I got a really cool Christmas gift from Google. It's a credit card-sized memory stick. 2 Gig of storage (USB drive). It's got like a cut-out hinge which you flip when you want to use it.

It's got the Google logo on both sides of the card. It's accepted by all major computers. :)

p/g

P.S. It came in a nice brown leather pouch, but fits neatly in a wallet/purse.

[http://www.everythingusb.com/hardware/resize.php?size=320&filename=google_2007_flash_drive_news.jpg]

Gee and ASA said they couldn't afford the pennies and it would give a very bad impression in these so called penurious times.

Hah! I'm dead set odds on favourite for a "Merry Christmas" email.

Haven't had a real pressy for two years, how easy it is to fall from grace.