Press Release: For Immediate Release
1 April 2010
MELBOURNE, Australia. (April 1, 2010) – ProBlogger, the web’s #1 Blog Tips site, today announced that it has been acquired by Google.
This acquisition will be a part of Googles extension of the ‘Blogger’ brand and a precursor to their new professional blogging suite of applications – ProBlogger.
“Blogging continues to grow in popularity, not only for personal use but by entrepreneurs and businesses around the world. Once seen as a ‘fools game’ – blogging has now grown up.” said a Google representative today. “Google’s new professional blogging suite, ProBlogger, will put an amazing array of tools into the hands those wanting to take their blogging to the next level.” said a Google representative today.
“What better brand to align these new tools with than ProBlogger, a blog that has consistently produced blog tips for professional bloggers for just under six years.”
“Some have called me a ‘fool’ for even considering selling ProBlogger,” said founder of ProBlogger Darren Rowse, “but I’d be a fool not to allow the ProBlogger brand to be developed by one of the world’s most innovative companies. I’m excited to see where Google will take ProBlogger going forward.”
The acquisition of ProBlogger will allow Darren to concentrate on his other projects including his main site – Digital Photography School – and an upcoming project – FoolsMedia.
Darren Rowse will remain a part of ProBlogger over the next 331 days where he plans to to begin a series of posts entitled ‘331 days to Build an Even Better Blog’ – a follow up to the successful 31 Days to Build a Better Blog.
About ProBlogger
ProBlogger is a blog about blogging. Kinda sad really but not as sad as having a blog about Tweeting… or a book about blogging… that’d be sadder! ProBlogger was founded by Darren Rowse on September 23 2004. Since that time Darren has published 5,356 posts and the blog has received 178,448 comments. A Foolish endeavour? Maybe – but perhaps not as foolish as this press release!
Nice gag, Darren.
Though I did think it odd for Google to buy a single blog, you had me until the tag line.
Wooooo…..you got me for a moment.
Great one!
Hmmmmm..,you gave me an idea for my own blog post for today.
Thanks! *running off to post*
Darren, Trust me that you are not so good in fooling people..at least with this post. :0
Let me tell you your problems in this post which easily tells people that you are fooling people as an April Fools joke..
1) Adding that April 1 at the starting easily makes anyone think that it could be an April fools day joke.
2) you have added tags to this post as “April Fools” so that makes a person 100times more sure that it is a joke..
I was all set to say congrats! What a great accomplishment. Good post. I was really fooled until I saw the tag. :)
hahahahahaha! ya got me
Boy…you got me hook, line and sinker. But, after re-reading the post again it doesn’t sound too far fetched.
Paul
Nice joke! Loved it cos i completely fell for it and was going to comment ‘Great job done!” til i saw the rest of the comments ;D
Great job done again! ;p
You got me too! Thanks for the joke but hey, when it happens, you’ll be the one laughing last and all the way to the bank, eh?
swine – you got me, But then it is after midday when it caught me out
You got me here in the States. Good one!
Happy April Fool’s Day! Nice work.
-Joshua Black
The Underdog Millionaire
Wouldn’t the joke be on all of us if it were to come true? Stranger things have happened. Actually, the name ProBlogger would be a stroke of marketing genius for Google’s Blogger.
Google Acquired by PROBLOGGER! Will certainly make it hot news. BTW, happy April fool day.
That was a good one.
Apparently Google didn’t inform ProBlogger that they’ve been renamed to Topeka. :-)
LOL Funny but this might really happen! LOL
You got me! I was already imagining your new lifestyle thinking – well the dude earned it. Clearly I am a fool!
Don’t be surprised though when you get the call!
You have given Google a great idea. :-)
Very Funny. I was fooled until I read the comments and then I read the post again and felt like an idiot. I completely missed the tag line. :)
As one who coaches fiction writers, I have to say, the fact that you had me going there is proof of a job well done.
You really scared me, problogger, but that was awesome.
Congratulations Darren, it’s always nice to see how bloggers out there reach succees like you!
I follow problogger, I run my own blog, managing myself to perform nicely these days, and I ask as many questions an continue reading as many posts I can from others like you, Brian from copyblogger, Chris Brogan and many more successful bloggers I admire.
Perseverance and hard work is the key!
Good luck on your next project.
BTW, I’d like to see you answering some of my questions on
http://startups.com regarding my biz.
My stomach twisted up in knots when I thought about having to blog without your input. You’ve helped so much. And google wouldn’t keep the standard up. And even when I finally understood it was a joke, my stomach is still clenched. Not funny, pretty mean, and I don’t care if you think I can’t take a joke.
Brilliant!! You had me until “331 Days…” As a writer and editor, however, I immediately went, “331 posts in a row on a single topic–this is suicide!”
Love that Oz sense of humor :)
At first I thought, Wouw! Then I reread it, why it’s only announced by Problogger and not a join announcement?
I reread the whole email, and saw the Tag. Hahaha, nice try, Darren!
I fooled with the tags, I think it’s all true! April Fool!
Brilliant! So far, you and Google are running neck and neck this April 1st!
Oh! I almost believe this is the truth. I totally forgot about the April Fool. Anyway, this article still inspired me. Maybe one day, my blog will acquired by Google. Haha! :)
As I read this press release, I progressed through several stages of grief: shock, denial, anger, reflection, then acceptance. Not once before the end did I suspect I was the fool. Not even with explicit clues, like ‘Fools Media’, which I mindlessly clicked on.
This was a happy discovery, however, since I like you just the way you are.
You are so full of it…lol
1th of April….ahahah
Darren,
This post was a really funny idea…the ironic thing is that with Google buying up things left and right you never quite know. Sometimes it seems like they’re just shooting around in the dark now just trying to find something…look at Google Wave and Buzz.
Thanks for the joke.
Rumored to be in the 10 digits.
The real state of Problogger–you had me there til I saw FoolsMedia!
This was a good one! Won’t be surprised if next year it will be “ProBlogger acquires Google’s Blogger.com”. :)
Hey Darren,
Thanks for the heads up.
You forgot to mention that Problogger had acquired TwitterThoughts!
Congratulations on building a brand with this level of value. Our hats are off to you. Good luck in your next internet life!
April Fools?
You would have sold it to me bro! Anyways Happy April Fools Day!
Oh my god. When I first read this post in my Mail, I was shocked and happy to hear this..But after 5 minutes, I had a doubt whether its a Foolish kind-a post for April 1. Yes, its happend. Anyway I laughed and cheer to see this post. If it really happens, I am one of the person which feel really happy for Darren’s Hardwork
:) Cheersss
Many Congrats! Well done my blogger bud. Well derseved Darren.
Pamela
OMG! Not as foolish as I! I fell for it. Tsk! Slap!
Hey, I have another cold. I’m excused for having a “soft-white” moment. :p
Frick! I was worried and then felt better when you felt good about it. OMG, what an idiot moment!
best April Fools joke I’ve seen today. Well done, sir! ;)
LOL… what a perfect joke! When I looked on the headline when I checked my email, I immediately thought it’s a joke…
Just seen this! – hahaha nice one Darren…..”331 Days to Build an Even Better Blog” – hahaha
Luke
Got me!
Found myself immediately scanning the post for how much Google paid….
Nice one :)
:) That was almost as good as our local Press’ story that Obama would be changing all tap water to wine and beer on the day of April 15th ….”From 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 15, water to every tap and fountain in the U.S. will be turned off, according to the bill. Instead, wine will flow from all warm water taps and beer from the cold taps. Fountains or other devices with only a button or one handle will provide the drinker a mixture of wine and beer”…..” a new government bill aimed at easing the stress on Americans during the recession. The Coeur d’Alene home was one of a handful across the nation to take part in a preliminary test of President Obama’s plan. ”
If only………..
I guess we all fell for it! Have the best April Fool’s day ever!
Good one you had me going on this one. Ha Ha! Aprill fools day. How much did they pay again?
LOL. Good April Fools joke.
-Paul
lol! I can’t stopped laughing when I was reading this post Darren, you’re talent Darren! I’m sure you successfully fool a few people, haha.
Anyway, happy April Fool!
Regards,
Lee
Darren!
This was the most terrible joke (in a brilliantly deviant sort of way!). As I read it, my heart was pounding with great anxiety. My thoughts were… how could he possibly leave??! I need him! And then I thought… well, I hope Google is paying him millions… in that case, I can’t blame him for selling. But I was still sad. Until I clicked on Fools Media. What a slap in the face. I don’t think anyone has ever gotten me that good on April Fool’s! Anyway, I am totally glad that you are not leaving.
You totally had me believing.
Right up there with my son telling me he’s getting “F’s” in three of his high school classes! “April Fools, Dad”!