Google buying social-media startup Wildfire

New York: Google is buying a company that specialises in social media marketing as it intensifies competition with Facebook for ad dollars and attention.

The company, Redwood City, California-based Wildfire, helps businesses such as Cirque du Soleil and Spotify manage social media efforts across the Internet.

It's an important area for Google as people spend more time on social networks such as Facebook and as advertisers follow them. Google's social network, Google Plus, hasn't had the traction that Facebook enjoys. Wildfire will let Google play a role whether the ad campaign is on Google Plus, Facebook, Twitter or elsewhere.

Wildfire's co-founders and other staff will join Google. The deal's financial details were not disclosed.

Wildfire's co-founders and other staff will join Google. The deal's financial details were not disclosed.

In recent months, Oracle and Salesforce.com also have reached deals to buy similar startups.

Also See

• Digg sold for half-a-million dollars
• Oracle buys social media company Involver
• Google to buy social media startup Meebo

(For updates you can share with your friends, follow IBNLive on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Pinterest)