Google's oh-so-clever ad system has an Achilles heel: As consumers cut back on spending, they also cut back on Google searches for stuff they want to buy. Furthermore, many shoppers now click on more links in search of a bargain. An official statement from IAC, which uses Google to serve ads on Ask.com, says search trends "have not been good over the last 30 to 60 days ... particularly on commercial-oriented queries." On the upside, the WSJ's reporting didn't find an analyst willing to forecast anything gloomier than 11% growth for Google in 2009. On the downside, 11% growth at Google means no more buying jets to park at Nasa next door.

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