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.
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:
Comments
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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...
Posted by: Mircea | September 28, 2008 5:28 PM
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?
Posted by: Mircea | September 28, 2008 5:30 PM
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.
Posted by: Ted Murphy | September 28, 2008 5:46 PM
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.
Posted by: David Mackey | September 28, 2008 7:50 PM
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.
Posted by: Mishulescu | September 28, 2008 11:11 PM
If eBay sells StumbleUpon...
Posted by: arkadaşlık | September 29, 2008 2:50 AM
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.......
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Posted by: Techwriters | September 29, 2008 3:26 AM
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
Posted by: mabisa
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September 29, 2008 8:03 AM
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.
Posted by: Ad Manager | September 29, 2008 8:42 AM
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.
Posted by: Garden Furniture | September 29, 2008 1:48 PM
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.
Posted by: How To Pirate | September 29, 2008 6:07 PM
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.
Posted by: Rajeel | September 30, 2008 11:00 AM
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.
Posted by: Colin | September 30, 2008 6:19 PM
Not a good idea but they may be tempted by the money.
Posted by: versace 4127 | October 9, 2008 10:57 AM