The rumors of Google buying Twitter just seem to keep popping up every so often. With Google+ attracting fewer and fewer users, it’s clear that Google is looking for some way to revive it. Perhaps by purchasing Twitter. According to a report out of CNBC this morning, Google and Salesforce.com are interested in placing a bid for the social network. The report mentioned that Twitter is indeed speaking with both companies, as well as other technology companies. This all comes from a person familiar with the situation, who was not named because the bid is not public.
This isn’t the first time that rumors of a Twitter sale have surfaced, and Google has been a popular buyer among those rumors. However, it’s still important to point out that a deal for Twitter may not happen, still. However, CNBC did note that conversations are beginning to pick up steam. They also mentioned that there could be a deal in place before the end of the year. Google, and others, are interested in Twitter due to the data that the social network has, and their users generate on a daily basis. Twitter is also in a good position as a media company, due to the number of journalists that report directly on Twitter not to mention users being able to report news instantly without the need of a news crew from CNN, ABC or many other news channels. While Twitter may receive a bid from Google, Salesforce.com or another technology company, it doesn’t mean that it’ll actually result in a sale. As Twitter and its board will need to approve the bid before a sale will be finalized.
Twitter has had a bit of trouble over the past few years. Mostly in the way of getting more users, and active users at that. In the second quarter of the year, the company reported that they had 313 million monthly active users. A solid 3 million jump from the first quarter, but the company has been stagnant in terms of monthly active users for the past year and a half now. Deals with the NFL for streaming Thursday Night Football games, and with Bloomberg for streaming the upcoming debates between Hilary Clinton and Donald Trump may help bring in more active users. At least that is what Twitter is hoping for.
Update: According to another report, Verizon is also interested in buying Twitter.