In what seems to be a response to Gmail invitation auctions, Google has updated their Gmail policy page to reflect these activities. The changes now make it a violation to “sell, trade, resell or otherwise exploit for any unauthorized commercial purpose or transfer any Gmail account.”
Since the announcement of Gmail, a large portion of the Internet community has been hell bent on attaining a Gmail account. Invitations have appeared on eBay, with one notable transaction that had an invite selling for $262. Currently, they appear to be selling for $0.99.
Not only have Gmail invitations been appearing on auction houses, but also there have been a great many Gmail competitions, where winners receive accounts. There is even a site called Gmail Swap, a community-based website that allows people to offer services in return for a Gmail invite.
It appears that Google is going to try and stem this tide, however tardy they may seem. The Inquirer points out that the eBay offerings should not be too hard to cease. Essentially, all Google has to do is request that they stop this practice, and eBay should comply. It’s the private transactions that Google is going to have a hard time stopping.
The Inquirer calls it a case of supply and demand. The demand for invites is high, while the supply is low. Although, if current prices on eBay are any indication, the invite craze seems to has crested, and appears to be falling back to normality.
Chris Richardson is a search engine writer and editor for murdok. Visit murdok for the latest search news.
