[Thehostingnews] Yahoo!, Microsoft Merger Speculation, as Worldwide Market Share Report Released
Sunnyvale, California - (The Hosting News) - May 18, 2007 - Webmaster e-marketing tool and utility resource, Net Applications, has released its April 2007 Search Engine Worldwide Market Share results, which includes Google US in the top spot, and Yahoo in the number two position, with a 9.87% market share, compared to 9.49% for March.
In addition, Google UK has dropped to a 9.28% market share, after three straight months of hovering above 10%.
There may be speculation as to how the news that Microsoft and Yahoo are considering a merger to better compete against Google is affecting the newest higher Yahoo ratings. The long-term battle appears to be heating up between Microsoft, Yahoo and Google.
To analyze the future potential for the big 3 in internet traffic, we have to start with understanding the present. The numbers show that between Microsoft, Yahoo and Google, Microsoft has the most traffic, Yahoo has the 2nd most traffic but keeps visitors the longest, and Google is 3rd in traffic but makes the most money off of that traffic.
Questions concerning whether Microsoft can increase its stickiness and online profitability as the Internet revolves around search and advertising remain. Whether Microsoft can catch up to Google better by continuing to enhance its own MSN search, or it is quicker and easier to buy Yahoo with its new Panama search/advertising platform that is reportedly competitive with Google's technology, remains to be seen. Microsoft will try to merge with/buy Yahoo, and come up with a Live vs. MSN strategy that includes online versions of its Office tools. They have the operating systems and Office cash cows for now, but competitors are developing better and better offers.
Yahoo is still in an extremely strong position. Website stickiness is Yahoo's strength, and that can sometimes be underestimated. Yahoo still has the best online content of the big 3. Merging with Microsoft would add an enormous amount of traffic to Yahoo's search and advertising platform, Panama (assuming the merged companies would adopt that system for both). But, Yahoo could make a comeback in search without Microsoft. And, the merger itself may become enough of a distraction to negate any benefits in additional traffic.
Google continues to increase its traffic and stickiness, with purchases like Youtube. However, the copyright lawsuits from that and the potential competition and privacy concerns from its recent purchase of DoubleClick may force Google to handle more litigation. Google may actually welcome a Microsoft Yahoo merger, because neither company is accustomed to big mergers and the time it will take to gain any benefits.
Since 1999 Net Applications has been a leading source of tools and utilities for webmasters and eMarketers for the small to medium enterprise. Headquartered in Aliso Viejo California, Net Applications distributes its services through over 7,000 partners and affiliates. These services may also be found at www.hitslink.com, www.submitter.net, www.1stwarning.com, www.searchterms.com and www.toolshack.com.
Yahoo! Inc. is a leading global Internet brand and one of the most trafficked Internet destinations worldwide. Yahoo! is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California.
To learn more about Net Applications, please visit: www.netapplications.com.
For more information about Yahoo!, please visit: www.yahoo.com.
http://www.thehostingnews.com/news-yahoo-microsoft-merger-speculation-as-worldwide-market-share-report-released-3313.html
Sunnyvale, California - (The Hosting News) - May 18, 2007 - Webmaster e-marketing tool and utility resource, Net Applications, has released its April 2007 Search Engine Worldwide Market Share results, which includes Google US in the top spot, and Yahoo in the number two position, with a 9.87% market share, compared to 9.49% for March.
In addition, Google UK has dropped to a 9.28% market share, after three straight months of hovering above 10%.
There may be speculation as to how the news that Microsoft and Yahoo are considering a merger to better compete against Google is affecting the newest higher Yahoo ratings. The long-term battle appears to be heating up between Microsoft, Yahoo and Google.
To analyze the future potential for the big 3 in internet traffic, we have to start with understanding the present. The numbers show that between Microsoft, Yahoo and Google, Microsoft has the most traffic, Yahoo has the 2nd most traffic but keeps visitors the longest, and Google is 3rd in traffic but makes the most money off of that traffic.
Questions concerning whether Microsoft can increase its stickiness and online profitability as the Internet revolves around search and advertising remain. Whether Microsoft can catch up to Google better by continuing to enhance its own MSN search, or it is quicker and easier to buy Yahoo with its new Panama search/advertising platform that is reportedly competitive with Google's technology, remains to be seen. Microsoft will try to merge with/buy Yahoo, and come up with a Live vs. MSN strategy that includes online versions of its Office tools. They have the operating systems and Office cash cows for now, but competitors are developing better and better offers.
Yahoo is still in an extremely strong position. Website stickiness is Yahoo's strength, and that can sometimes be underestimated. Yahoo still has the best online content of the big 3. Merging with Microsoft would add an enormous amount of traffic to Yahoo's search and advertising platform, Panama (assuming the merged companies would adopt that system for both). But, Yahoo could make a comeback in search without Microsoft. And, the merger itself may become enough of a distraction to negate any benefits in additional traffic.
Google continues to increase its traffic and stickiness, with purchases like Youtube. However, the copyright lawsuits from that and the potential competition and privacy concerns from its recent purchase of DoubleClick may force Google to handle more litigation. Google may actually welcome a Microsoft Yahoo merger, because neither company is accustomed to big mergers and the time it will take to gain any benefits.
Since 1999 Net Applications has been a leading source of tools and utilities for webmasters and eMarketers for the small to medium enterprise. Headquartered in Aliso Viejo California, Net Applications distributes its services through over 7,000 partners and affiliates. These services may also be found at www.hitslink.com, www.submitter.net, www.1stwarning.com, www.searchterms.com and www.toolshack.com.
Yahoo! Inc. is a leading global Internet brand and one of the most trafficked Internet destinations worldwide. Yahoo! is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California.
To learn more about Net Applications, please visit: www.netapplications.com.
For more information about Yahoo!, please visit: www.yahoo.com.
http://www.thehostingnews.com/news-yahoo-microsoft-merger-speculation-as-worldwide-market-share-report-released-3313.html
