Now that we've got April Fools Day over with, let's talk about some real Google-related news.  I've got a Google two-fer for you to start the day off with.

First off is a report from MarketWatch indicating a Google interest in DoubleClick.  Until now Microsoft was rumored to be the most adamant interested party.  But according to MarketWatch (which cites The Wall Street Journal [sub. required]) Microsoft is joined by Google, AOL, and Yahoo in talks with DoubleClick.

I have doubt that they'd all love to get their hands on DoubleClick.  For one, a DoubleClick purchase would bolster any company's online advertising portfolio.  And DoubleClick has been doing online advertising for a long time (longer than some of the companies that want to buy it).  I'm sure they have more to offer a prospective buyer than some new contracts.

The MarketWatch report raises the question of Google's power… and concerns about its growth.  Ironically enough (or not), BusinessWeek is running a lengthy, in-depth look at some of the concerns surrounding the power, influence, and ultimate agenda of the Google "juggernaut".

While a little fantastical and over-the-top at times, the BusinessWeek article is a really good read.  But for the most part it's nothing new.  We've covered and discussed Google's power and influence a number of times here at the Internet Marketing Monitor.  And a lot of the fear that surrounds that power boils down to an old, simple saying:

Knowledge is power.

And knowledge is something Google is overflowing with.  From the engineers and managers that Google employs (often after stealing them from other companies) to the huge amount of data that Google collects on users from the use of their products, Google is quickly becoming the storehouse of information.  And that's their mission.

I won't be wearing an antennae hat anytime soon.  But I certainly think Google needs to be watched, scrutinized, and monitored just as closely as any other company with the reach and power it wields.

What do you think?  Is Google too powerful?  Should we fear Mountain View?