Microsoft Yahoo Search Partnership

Microsoft Yahoo Search Partnership
by Andrew Grinaker, VP Biz Dev/Strategy

For those of us that have been following SEO and the search engines for quite some time now, this is huge news.

For others, this just means that when you search on Yahoo.com, you will be using the "decision" engine Bing for your search results, along with other technology integration that should become seamless over time.

From TechFlash.com; "Under the arrangement, Microsoft Bing would "power" Yahoo search, while Yahoo would sell premium search advertising for both companies, using Microsoft's AdCenter system. The deal will require regulatory review, and the companies say they hope to complete it in early 2010."

Challenging Google

As a constant follower of SEO, social media and online marketing trends, the news that Yahoo and Microsoft are partnering up to share technologies is a monumental step forward in challenging Google. Its step forward, but a step forward in what will need to be several hundred steps forward in order of breaking into Google's ridiculous 60% market share of the search industry. But it's a start.

Combined, Yahoo and Microsoft will have a 30% market share and definitely provide a more staunch competitor that acting alone. I believe Yahoo and Microsoft are taking the right approach to try and unseat Google's dominance. They are attempting to combine the best of breed technologies while delivering one search experience. They have both tried to go their own way in competing with Google and finally understood they had to combine forces to make a dent in that 60%.

SEO Implications

As for the implications of optimizing sites for the search engines, the game just got easier. SEO strategists and firms now have two major players to worry about, as opposed to three. Sure, Google will still be the search engine clients are most worried about, but dealing with two search algorithms will be inherently easier.