Google eats Twitter?

Twitter co-founder and CEO Evan Williams at Twitter headquarters March 10, 2009 in San Francisco, California.

Google-Twitter Tie-Up In 'Late-Stage' Negotiations — Or Is It?
April 3, 2009

Jamie Sturgeon

Twitter, the much-hyped social media site that is attracting millions daily it seems, has reportedly caught the attention of the biggest player in the online game: Google.

U.S. technology news site TechCrunch is reporting that the Internet giant is in "late-stage" negotiations to acquire Twitter for an undisclosed amount (a report since disputed by another well-read tech blog, All Things Digital). The Web site, citing two sources close to the matter, said it can be assumed the value of any deal would well exceed the US$250-million the San Francisco-based digital start-up was valued at in January as it was attempting to raise fresh funds from venture capital firms.

Considering that Twitter balked at a US$500-million offer from Facebook a few months earlier, one may suspect the deal value is north of that figure, as well.

After all, Google has demonstrated a willingness to spend if it means acquiring a rising star before it gets out of reach. The Mountain View, California-based company spent US$1.65-billion to buy YouTube in late 2006.

In January, Twitter surpassed entrenched rival Digg in visitor clicks and its popularity has only grown since. Of course, Twitter users have been in a frenzy since the news broke late Thursday, which you can track here.Jamie Sturgeon