Comments for RWW Predictions: Will eBay Sell StumbleUpon?

RWW Predictions: Will eBay Sell StumbleUpon?

2008-09-29T00:00:00Z

Last week rumors were swirling that eBay was looking to sell StumbleUpon. eBay purchased StumbleUpon in early 2007 for a bargain price of $75 million.

We've still yet to have these rumors confirmed, but what if eBay were to actually sell StumbleUpon? Help us predict whether eBay will sell the service by the end of this year and if so, the price tag that it might fetch.

]]> Fast Facts

Reports claim that eBay is in touch with Deutsche Bank to find a buyer.
eBay purchased StumbleUpon for $75 million 16 months ago.
In July 2008, StumbleUpon had 1.3 million worldwide visitors, down from 4.4 million a year prior.

Stumble Upon Our Discussion

In addition to reading your predictions, we'd also like to know your thoughts on what this might mean for StumbleUpon community members. Here are some things to discuss in the comments section:

Will StumbleUpon's growth continue to decrease if the rumors are true?
If you're a StumbleUpon user, what are your thoughts on how the StumbleUpon community may be affected by a sell?
If StumbleUpon doesn't sale, what do you think eBay will do with the service?

Comment from Mircea on 2008-09-28

2008-09-29T00:28:39Z

StumbleUpon will be sold in the end. I don't see what value brings to eBay in this current state.

Maybe a StumbleUpon for e-commerce sites only would be more valuable? (when users are stumbling on e-commerce sites then eBay can show them the same product(s) on ebay? Just an idea...

Comment from Mircea on 2008-09-28

2008-09-29T00:30:53Z

BTW, when I click on your link "Help us in predicting" I am redirected to your Movable Type blog control panel login. Are you sure that's what you wanted?

Comment from Ted Murphy on 2008-09-28

2008-09-29T00:46:43Z

Entrecard and now StumbledUpon? And Google fired the head of marketing at Youtube? These are all black eyes for the advertising business model. The only advertising that works presently is keyword search and classified. Everything else is ecommerce.

Comment from David Mackey on 2008-09-28

2008-09-29T02:50:34Z

If eBay sells StumbleUpon...Well, I think it would be a very bad decision on eBay's part. StumbleUpon is an amazing property. I use it constantly.
I disagree with Mr. Murphy on the nasty state of the advertising business model...and think that every business (practically) should drop at least a small portion of their advertising budget into StumbleUpon. Its quality traffic with viral potential for a bottom dollar price.

Comment from Mishulescu on 2008-09-28

2008-09-29T06:11:57Z

Based on your stumble preferences, they can serve you more relevant ads (eg. current bids). I can live with a small twitter-like election "toolbar" or something like that, as long as i can still use the service.

Comment from arkadaşlık on 2008-09-29

2008-09-29T09:50:01Z

If eBay sells StumbleUpon...

Comment from Techwriters on 2008-09-29

2008-09-29T10:26:41Z

Stumble upon is a good social networking area....
often we use stumble for our research work....
It will be a big loss for the Ebay guys who are willing to sell this kind of property.......

www.futuretechwriters.com
mail@futuretechwriters.com

Comment from mabisa on 2008-09-29

2008-09-29T15:03:15Z

I suppose I am one of those several million who have stopped using StumbleUpon. While I always liked the concept behind it, there are simply other social sharing services which are either more useful or less time-consuming. I've found that del.icio.us is as effective a 'random website' browser as stumbling, but with more graduated controls (and hugely more effective as a means of bookmarking), and using Google Reader Shared Items is a lower barrier means of broadcasting. There are only so many social services one can use before diminishing gains begin to kick in, and while I've dabbled in my fair share of bookmarklets and extensions that claim to streamline the process, it is simply easier to stick to the one or two services one finds most useful. The numbers noted in the post here show an alarming drop-off in a relatively short amount of time; unless the service is radically revamped in someway, I only see their user numbers further decreasing--eBay sell or no. I say they try to load it off sooner rather an

Comment from Ad Manager on 2008-09-29

2008-09-29T15:42:08Z

I only use StumbleUpon on an occasional basis. It works well as an independent company since I don't see any current or potential relation to eBay's business. They might want to diversify, but too much with too little value will only make eBay away from focus.

Comment from Garden Furniture on 2008-09-29

2008-09-29T20:48:28Z

I don't think is a good idea to sell Stumble Upon. It is getting so pupular that the benefits are just around the corner.

Comment from How To Pirate on 2008-09-29

2008-09-30T01:07:39Z

Google should buy Stumble! I didn't like Stumble the first couple times I used it and then it just kinda grew on me. I like Stumble! a lot more than I do Digg.

Comment from Rajeel on 2008-09-30

2008-09-30T18:00:29Z

We can't predict it . As a big company in e-marketing,i think eBay are very rich and they didn't need to sell stumble upon.

But if they are selling ; It'll be for the highest amount,Maybe more than $75 million .

It's not any other company.
Its eBay - The king of e-marketing.

Comment from Colin on 2008-09-30

2008-10-01T01:19:50Z

I think Stumble stumbled when it was bought by eBay in the first place. for an incredibly useful site, it's been hemorrhaging users and this is probably because eBay has stifled innovation of the platform to hold down costs.

We use it on my blog, current.pic.tv, to find some way cool little corners of information and find this to be very useful. However, it's stayed pretty static since eBay bought it and it needs to keep up.

I hope it's sold, but only to a more proactive owner.

Comment from versace 4127 on 2008-10-09

2008-10-09T17:57:10Z

Not a good idea but they may be tempted by the money.