AOL has decided that it should focus on search ads, somewhat like Google does, instead of prolonging the inevitable crash due to the massive flocking to broadband its customer will do. AOL is the world's largest and most well-known Internet service provider (ISP) and is now realizing that it takes something different than millions of dial-up users to remain successful in today's wizz-bang fast-paced business world. AOL's focus on ad-based revenue is a necessary reinvention of a classic American brand. Unfortunately, this means about 5000 people will loose their jobs. Despite the layoffs, AOL is doing what they think is needed to remain competitive (not that this is any consolation to former employees). Look for AOL's coming services in the advertising venue, possibly to consist of some type of ad network to mirror Google's AdSense and Microsoft's AdCenter. AOL already has a partnership with Google for some of its advertising, but many analysts are thinking AOL will come out with its own.[note: Weblogs, Inc. is a stand-alone subsidiary of America Online.]
