Google Offers is a deal-of-the-day website that will be localized to major geographic markets in the United States and abroad. Google confirmed the website in January 2011, after an attempted buyout by Google of established competitor Groupon for a reported sum of US$ 6 billion was turned down. Nate Tyler, a Google spokesman, stated that the company is "communicating with small businesses to enlist their support and participation in a test of a prepaid offers/vouchers program. This initiative is part of an ongoing effort at Google to make new products … that connect businesses with customers in new ways."^[2] Users receive an e-mail with a local deal of the day. They then have the opportunity to buy that deal within a specific time limit (usually 24 hours). Unlike Groupon, an offer on Google Offers is valid regardless of how many people take it.^[3][4] Google Offers is powered by Google Checkout^{[citation needed]} and integrates with Google Wallet.^[1] It will also include Facebook, Twitter, Google Reader, Google Buzz and e-mail sharing options.^[5] Google Offers development information was leaked after a failed attempt by Google to buy Groupon for US$6 billion in December 2010.^[6]

Beta begins in Portland[link]

On April 21, 2011, via Google Places Facebook page, it was announced that "Offers BETA is coming", and provided a link to a signup page listing a few select cities, with the first beta city being Portland, Oregon.^[7][8]

On May 26, 2011, the service was officially launched; the first offer was on June 1, for Floyd's Coffee Shop in Portland.^[1] During its first month, the most popular deal was $20 worth of Powell's Books merchandise for $10: "5,000 Powell’s vouchers sold out in a matter of hours."^[9] That deal's price turned out to be Google Offers' median offer price for the month.^[9]

Service expanded to New York and SF/Bay Area[link]

On July 12, 2011, service was expanded to New York and the San Francisco Bay Area^[10]

Competitors[link]

Google Offers competes with Groupon^[9] and LivingSocial, among others.

October 2011[link]

In October 2011, Google announced that Google Offers business will distribute daily deals from at least 15 other daily deal sites, including Gilt City, kgbdeals, TIPPR, Plum District and Juice in the City. San Francisco bay area subscribers will be getting the new deals first and new deals will be offered to other cities in the future.^[11]

April 2012[link]

Google Offers Chrome extension launched.

References[link]