Google’s acquisition of DoubleClick has been in the news for many reasons.

First, at $3.1bn in cash, it is the biggest takeover till date.
Second, Google now commands 80% of the online ad market
Third, Yahoo! and MSN bring in monopoly law to stop the take over

However, what has been overlooked is that Google has also become the first search engine to own a SEO company. Performics, a SEO and online lead generation company, is owned by DoubleClick. With the current acquisition, it became Google property.

So what does Google do with its very own Google AdWords Certified Company? Search Engine Journal has reported that Google has decided to keep the company for now. According to the DoubleClick Acquisition FAQ:

Performics is part of DoubleClick, and we are acquiring it as part of the transaction. We have no plans to dispose of it at this time. 
  
Honestly, I trust Google. I know that Performics will not have access to Google algorithms, nor would it wear the “SEO Company Owned By Google” badge on the cuffs. But how ethical is it for Google to own a SEO company? Or, as Michael Gray said “let’s remember Google is a for profit company” and forget about ethics.

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