Time Magazine, in its list of the best and worst business deals of the year, has put Google’s acquisition of DoubleClick at No.3 in the best business deals section. In comparison, rival Microsoft picking up 1.6 % stake in Facebook is No.4 in the worst deals section. Google bought DoubleClick in April 2007, and paid $ 3.1 billion, while Microsoft spend $ 240 million, effectively valuing Facebook at $ 15 billion.

DoubleClick started out as Internet Advertising Network ( IAN) with Kevin O’ Connor and Dwight Merriman as its founders in 1995. It was given the name DoubleClick after IAN was acquired by Poppe-Tyson. DoubleClick merged with Abacus Direct in 1999, and the resulting company was acquired by Hellman and Friedman in July 2005. In December 2006,  Hellman and Friedman sold Abacus to Epilson Interactive.