Google Launches Coupon 'Offers'

Google-Offers-B2

Google rolled out a beta version of its long-awaited daily deal coupon offering, testing the service in several cities. The program will operate similar to Groupon and LivingSocial. Specials will land in email in-boxes related to local deals for those who sign up, and consumers will have a limited time to take advantage of the offer.

The service launches in Portland, Ore.; New York, NY; Oakland/East Bay California; and San Francisco.

Signing up for Offers is easy for those who sign into Google. One click on the city of choice triggers an email that reads: Thanks for subscribing to Google Offers BETA -- San Francisco! We're excited that you've joined us as we partner with some of the best local businesses in your area to bring you great deals at 50% off or more. Once Google Offers is available in San Francisco we'll send you regular emails letting you in on amazing offers in your area. We'll be in touch."

For those who live in a town or city where the service is not offered yet, Google provides a link to request service by entering an email address and ZIP code.

Google Offers launches after a failed attempt to acquire Groupon for $6 billion, but the daily coupon site pushed back with no deal.

 

2 comments about "Google Launches Coupon 'Offers'".
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  1. Joseph Szala, April 22, 2011 at 8:57 a.m.

    It'll be interesting to see how this plays out. Already the effectiveness of Groupon and LivingSocial are questionable from a restaurant's side of the table. Some say it works. Others say it brings people in but they lose money on the deal. Not sure how I feel about it.

  2. J S from Ideal Living Media, April 25, 2011 at 11:24 a.m.

    I agree, Joseph. Restaurants do lose out on the overall deal, due to Groupon/Lvg social's enormous cut.

    So, many restaurants have stopped using Groupon, whose deals are now a parade of "day spas" and other high-end services -- the kinds of services which target high-end consumers, who don't use/need coupons.

    Food coupons are a great idea. Moving coupons from direct mail and Sunday newspaper models was long overdue.

    The Groupon model is not a great idea. Their non-funny, god-cat nonsense blog, along with their get-help-please-you-need-it deal intros, suggest that the company fundamentally lacks good judgement. Which, again, does not bode well for the model. Their false-local presence is a problem they are not likely to overcome.

    And Google attempting the same model, with their nobody-home, anti-local, anti-customer support worldview is ludicrous.

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