The Microsoft and Yahoo! Alliance
This new alliance will involve a transition of Yahoo’s operations and paid search platform to Microsoft. Resulting in Yahoo becoming the exclusive sales force for global search advertisers.
Both Yahoo and Microsoft claim that when everything is finalized and up and running it will be a better overall experience for consumers.
So, how will they work together?
- They will use the combind search ad inventory from Yahoo, Microsoft and partners.
- Microsoft will be acquiring an exclusive license to certain Yahoo search technologies.
- Microsoft will manage the technology platforms (Bing and adCenter.)
- Yahoo will exclusively support high volume advertisers, SEO and SEM agencies, resellers and their clients. While Microsoft will support self-service advertisers. And Microsoft adCenter will be the platform for all search campaigns.
What does this mean for Google?
I’m not sure if Google will ever lose it’s #1 spot as the best search engine. When people want to get quick, instant information they “google it.” Not only is it where they choose to search (over Yahoo and Bing) but Google has become an every day term in the English language.
Don’t know something? Just “google it!”
I am definitely interested to see how this alliance turns out. But I can’t see Google hurting any time soon.
Sources: Searchalliance.com, mobilemarketer.com