While Google remains a virtual equivalent to anything related to the word or idea of “search,” it might be easy to overlook its current moves to ratchet up its dominance both in the states and overseas. There might not be the same amount of buzz that surrounded the hotly rumored “GDrive,” but just a few glances at recent headlines makes it clear that Google is far from satisfied with its dominant position in search.
As many are already well aware of, Google is playing the role of a potential spoiler in the drawn out Microsoft-Yahoo! situation. This was made even more clear when Yahoo! announced that it would try out Google AdSense ad results next to a few of its search results for a two-week period. While comparing Yahoo! to a flirtatious, desirable lady who knows her value doesn’t require too much creativity, it’s clear that this move of “dating” Google (along with talks with AOL) is at least partly intended to get Microsoft’s ire up, which seems to have happened.
Regardless, the move is seen as well past its due time. A New York Times article notes that for every search, Google earns 60 to 70% more than Yahoo! does. Ask.com has already been taking on Google ads in lucrative deals, and given that Yahoo!’s own advertising ventures seem to have flopped, this might not be a bad idea, regardless of how it makes Microsoft feel.
All the while, Google is probably enjoying its role here. Yes, it would enjoy being taken on full-time to serve up ads next to Yahoo!’s search results, but any opportunity to get under Microsoft’s skin seems well worth the time and effort to the search giant. If Google were to be taken on after the trial period, it would be a blow to Microsoft and yet another boon for itself.
Meanwhile, in China, Google has proclaimed that it is eyeing further dominance within five years, hoping to grab hold of the search throne from a strong, well-established leader. Their strategy seems to be based partly upon gaining ground in the social networking and mobile scenes there. Google has already made headway in these areas with small investments.
Homegrown search engine Baidu has done well in fending off Google thus far, growing its search market share in the country from 58 to 60% during the fourth quarter of 2007, compared to Google’s rise from 17 to 26%.
China seems to be the “promised land” that many companies are clamoring to grab a hold of, given its explosive potential and huge, lightly tapped markets. Google seems to be well aware of this as well, and their strong declaration of search leadership there within five years reflects this. There are sure to be privacy and censorship hiccups along the way, but it is interesting to see how Google is still climbing up search ladders that it has not yet topped.
The headlines might not be as loud and buzzworthy, but Google is reminding everyone that they are still a force to be reckoned with, both now and in the future, both in the U.S. and abroad.
Sources:
http://www.webpronews.com/topnews/2008/04/13/
adsense-60-to-70-percent-better-for-yahoo
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/
article/2008/04/14/AR2008041402693.html
http://www.alleyinsider.com/2008/4/
google_we_re_going_to_crush_baidu_in_china_we_think_
http://www.tradingmarkets.com/.site/news/Stock%20News/1364020/
James Kim
e: jamesk@gmail.com
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