What will be, will be. We do not concern ourselves with things we cannot control. Thanks for the information, however!

it won't affect our business.... we are listing agents, and most of our business is from offline marketing and referrals from past clients.... we have a steady listing business....

Interesting info, but I don't see an issue with this.  It just helps me target where to advertise!  If they get 2/3 of the revenue, they probably have 2/3 of the eyeballs.

i keep expecting google to get into the real estate business somehow, when they do they will alter it forever

Make me want to go live on a sail boat.

Those entering the business and/or do not have a strong referral base will most certainly be influenced/controlled by these major players.

Just like a GREAT HOARD of real estate agents spend their money on the dark-side due to the devils dominance in real estate, just as many will be compelled to 'pay to play.'

And if one buys into 'It's a numbers game' there are not many alternatives, especially if at the 3 yr mark in this business.

And that's all she wrote! No not concerned.

It won't affect my business at all unless they no longer are FREE to be on.

I never pay either a dime for my exposure. It does concern me that at the very top, about 14 companies own everything in America. Monopolies are a tricky sort for consumers. MicroogleBook-Mart will soon be the only choice we have at this rate.

Boy that could be scary but it could happen and almost there.

I am not concerned.

Doesn't bother me since I don't use either of them!

Nope, they already do. So, nothing is going to change. 

 I am leaving Facebook; I avoid Google like the plague.

Those with listings will attract buyers. Thiose looking for buyers without listing, may struggle 

I am not overly concerned as I know they cannot replace all my organic exposure that just keeps getting better and better.

No. Not at all. People are wise to what the ads are and what they do. 

Ron and Alexandra Seigel are right advertising is on the move daily and changes always taking place. You can spend your time chasing every new avenue and neglect the most important way to communicate your value..in person with meaningful conversations!

It's interesting but I'm of the same mindset as Sandy Padula and Norm Padula, JD, GRI  -- there are things I can control and other things that are beyond my control.   

Like others I have chosen to ignore ads whether in print or online.  I put ear plugs in my ears and blinders on and move forward on course I have chosen.

1)  No

2)  I don't know.

Not concerned because I already periodically advertise with both these giants and use both G+ and FB in my marketing. If I was not active on social media or willing to spend a little of my marketing funds on advertising it would be an issue I would want to address sooner rather than later...or I would need to find an alternative way to reach and cultivate new online prospects.

Good morning Susan,

I am not concerned, let the chips fall where they may

No, not at all.

It's no different then "the old days" when most all advertising was print… is just that the venue has changed. Marketers spend their money where the eyeballs are. What should be of concern, however, is the agreement between Google and Zillow. I'm not a Zillow hater, but we do need to keep an eye on "our" data.

Susan Laxson if we can't beat them. join them...

Susan, I so ignore the advertising Google and Facebook, and I don't think about it that much.  I don't think it is a cost effective way to attract business.

not concerned.  

I am not surprised but I am concerned that "Z" will be one of those big players too Susan.

Good thing that I dong buy adds, I am sure the prices will be very high when these two merge.

Susan Laxson Who pays attention to those ads anyway? This is why ad blockers are so popular.

I think that now - they control everything. They are the majority so you have to play by their rules. Learn them or get left behind.

The mighty buck on the move. What else is new? Everyone mind their own buck

I don't spend $ on online advertising and a good % of my business is referral and from blogging.

Susan,

At the same time, there is an exodus happening off of social media.  And on line advertizing  has had its problems.  There is a phenomena called "banner blindness", so banners are not working any more.  Marketing is not set in stone, it keeps changing constantly.  A

I do not know.