Hate To Be Rude, But Facebook Is Not The Next Google. It's Not Even Close

Hate To Be Rude, But Facebook Is Not The Next Google. It's Not Even Close Information about Facebook's 2011 revenues and operating profits leaked last week, just ahead of this week's expected IPO filing. If CNBC's reporting is accurate, the numbers are disappointing for a company that's supposed to be valued at $75 billion to $100 billion when its shares start trading. Revenues came in at $3.8 billion, less than an expected $4+ billion. Operating profits were $1.5 billion, less than an expected $2 billion. Facebook's results look particularly disappointing in comparison to Google's first seven years of business. We've drawn out that comparison above. The comparison is actually worse than it looks. Remember, Google was born at time when Internet usage, and online ad spending, wasn't even half of what it is today. The fact is, Facebook is a huge consumer hit – 850 million people us the site each month – but it's ad products are not, really. Google's ad products are business magic. Consumers see ads for products that they literally want to see. So far, Facebook hasn't found that kind of magic. Investors looking at Facebook's S1 filing this week will have to wonder if it ever will.   Read »