Let's start with the obvious reason this isn't going to happen: Buying Groupon would crush Google's stock. These may be encouraging reasons to push both companies together, but there are some other harsher realities. Antitrust resistance doesn't seem as likely now that Groupon's flagship business is in a state of decline. The rumored dealbreaker at the time was that Groupon wanted a stiff breakup fee, hoping to make a good chunk of change if regulators balked at the mammoth combination.Folks would actually start using Google+ with financial incentives. Google could use that viral gimmickry to its advantage by emphasizing Google+ sharing over Facebook. The company gets voucher buyers to promote the deal through Facebook, promising that the voucher will be free if they can sway three of their Facebook friends to sign up. Groupon went viral on the back of Facebook ( META 2.20%).Groupon's model has hit some rough patches lately, but it's still connected to 250,000 local merchants that Google would love to know a little better.If Google liked Groupon at $6 billion, it should love Groupon two years later at $3 billion.Granted, you can understand why people would lend credibility to the rumors: Shares of the daily-deals dealer soared 23% on Friday as a rumor began to make the rounds: Google ( GOOGL 3.65%), which was reportedly rebuffed in its efforts to acquire Groupon two years ago for $6 billion, is ready for another go at the out-of-favor dealsmith, or so the chatter goes. It was a good day for Groupon ( GRPN 3.69%).

Groupon sign in with google