Claria Exiting Adware Business
By Ed Oswald | Published March 22, 2006, 1:43 PM
Claria, best known for its Gator adware program, said Tuesday that it would exit the adware business in order to focus on personalized search. According to a statement announcing the move, Claria has a number of interested buyers.
There are conditions to a sale, however. Claria said it would only sell if the purchaser agrees to abide by industry standards set by TRUSTe and other groups to govern adware. A sale is expected by mid-year.
The company has been working to change its image since last year, when it first made public plans to shift its advertising model to a more legit model. Claria's technology even apparently interested Microsoft, who reportedly was in negotiations to acquire the company.
Claria also said it was close to the launch of PersonalWeb, a new web personalization application that would make its debut in April. In order for companies to take Claria seriously, the company apparently felt shedding its adware side of the business was necessary.
"We are delighted by both partner and market acceptance of our new personalization technologies," Claria president and CEO Scott VanDeVelde said. "This is an exciting time for Claria as we finalize plans for the beta launch of PersonalWeb and the upcoming announcement of key partnerships."
Personalization has become a big business in search as of late. Google, Yahoo, Amazon.com and Microsoft have all been working on ways to personalize search in order to maximize market share and gain new users.
I wish I was a billionaire, I would buy this piece of crap and then shut it down.
Score: 0
|You mean like, instead of Gator or Bonzi-Buddy they will have "Super-Saver Searcher" and Deals-Searcher Tool-Bar. Ah, slap a new name on it and call it a new product.
Score: 0
|Come on...how many end users do you think know the name Claira? Sure Us Tech Weenies know the name and can recite the names of the crappy adware they distribute, but ask your Mom if she knows the name "Claira,"....as compaired to Gator, Precision Time, Bonzi Buddy.
Score: 0
|Good, more crapware for me to remove :)
Score: 0
|yup, another one "trying" to clean up their act ...
just like 180 solutions ....
and why precisely do they call quits ??
because they're still machines out there infected with their software and by "quitting" they no longer have to provide support or "removal tools"
honesty my b@llz
Score: 0
|That's the most sensible post I've ever seen you post, and I completely agree! :)
Score: 0
|nah the way they do it is they publically stop selling adware, but privately still offer it only through a subidiary company
Score: 0
|it all depends on the time of the day i post ...
believe me, if is in the morning and coffee hasnt kicked in yet, i can be a complete @ss ...
if i post on the afternoon ... well ... the above post can tell :P ....
Score: 0
|...
They need to get out of the adware business, and get into the on-line suicide cult business.
...
The Computer Rodent
...
Score: 0
|That's fantastic if they really call it quits as an adware agency, however, not only will I believe it when I see it, I also don't think anyone will ever trust the business going forward. Their name is too tarnished as far as I'm concerned. It's easier for me to forgive, than forget.
Score: 0
|Reason why I still don't like Skype.
Score: 0
|I totally agree. This company has caused harm and a lot of headaches to everyone for years. I don't believe for a second they will ever do anything honest above board. Their bottom line has always been make the largest profit and screw the users.
Score: 0
|I'll believe this when I see it...I doubt I ever will. Drop the company name and start a new company, using the same name will prevent many people from trusting you.
Score: 0
|