From Google Fans Fill Web With Buzz Over IPO (TechNews.com)

"As a public company, "if they are not developing a particular product and their competitor has it, they may feel pressure to go in that direction to please investors," said Danny Sullivan, editor of Search Engine Watch, a site that provides analysis of the search industry. "It's 'I've got to keep up with the Joneses whether or not the Joneses are doing the right thing.' Right now they have the luxury of avoiding that." "

Yup-- it's a lot more than just paying the piper....