Google to acquire Meebo

Google finds an ideal fit for Meebo with Google+

It’s official: Google is acquiring Meebo.  The news comes after rumors began churning two weeks ago that Google had its eye on Meebo and was looking to buy the seven-year-old company for $100 million.  While Meebo has not officially confirmed the $100 million price tag, that’s where reports are pegging it.

Google isn’t commenting on the financial terms of the deal, but it did issue the following statement:

“We are always looking for better ways to help users share content and connect with others across the Web, just as they do in real life. With the Meebo team’s expertise in social publisher tools, we believe they will be a great fit with the Google+ team. We look forward to closing the transaction and working with the Meebo team to create more ways for users to engage online.”

A Google spokesperson also said that Google will be evaluating Meebo’s existing products in light of its overall business plans, but the company has nothing concrete to say in terms of how Meebo will be integrated.

Meebo has raised $70 million to date.  Most recently, the company raised $27.5 million in December 2010 from Khosla Ventures, Sequoia Capital, DFJ, JAFCO, and Time Warner Investments.

Since its founding in 2005, Meebo has experienced something of an identity crisis.  Initially launched as a social tool, Meebo was originally known for its Meebo Messenger, which allows users to instant message across multiple platforms, such as Facebook, Google Talk, AOL/AIM, MSN, and more.

These days it looks like Meebo’s moving into the content direction with its main product, the Meebo Bar, which allows users to build an “interest profile” by favoriting things they like.  Meebo then customizes the content users receive via their Meebo Bar, which they can rate to make the content more accurately reflect their interests.