So what do you think about the Yahoo and Microsoft announcement? I find the search engine wars fascinating. In fact, I find all business competition fascinating so this announcement just feeds my curiosity. What is Google with its 65% of the search market going to do to make sure that its biggest competitor (together MSFT and Yahoo combine for 28% of the market) doesn't encroach? Because after hearing Steve Ballmer at WPC a couple of weeks ago and the partner's reaction to his keynote, encroachment doesn't begin to cover it so Google get ready!
Below is an excerpt of an email I received this morning from Microsoft's Voice of Innovation group.
"Microsoft and Yahoo announced an agreement to combine their search and search advertising businesses in an effort to accelerate innovation and deliver an improved online experience.
Here are a few excerpts from Yahoo CEO Carol Barz and Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer regarding the agreement and how it creates a stronger business than either company could create on its own.
"This agreement comes with boatloads of value for Yahoo, our users, and the industry. And I believe it establishes the foundation for a new era of Internet innovation and development."
-Yahoo! CEO Carol Barz
"Through this agreement with Yahoo, we will create more innovation in search, better value for advertisers, and real consumer choice in a market currently dominated by a single company. Success in search requires both innovation and scale."
-Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer"
Here's a link to a New York Times Article.
From a user perspective, I just want accuracy and the best results. It doesn't faze me if I see advertising up top since I know that is what it is. I am a marketer so I've paid to rise to the top. That's why this search war is so intriguing. My guess is that pretty soon I am going to see more advertising on BING since that is really the underlying purpose of this deal, more revenue for MSFT and Yahoo. I just hope that this deal improves my search results!
Of this post I BING and no longer Google it!
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