Google in Talks to Buy Groupon

In a big move that would make Google a significant player local advertising, Google is in talks to buy local deals site Groupon, the Wall Street Journal reports.

Groupon's board of directors reportedly will meet by conference call Wednesday to decide how to proceed. The possible offer price 'is a big number,'' the Wall Street Journal reports.

Groupon specializes in coupon and other deals that are intended to drive consumers to local merchants. With Groupon, Google would also pick up contact information for about 12 million consumers. Groupon collects credit card information from users, as well as data it uses to personalize its offers, such as their neighborhoods and the kinds of businesses they have bought web coupons from in the past.

Google in Talks to Buy Groupon - WSJ.com (subscription required)