tedster - 10:11 pm on Jun 15, 2009 (gmt 0)

I wouldn't be so overly literal about what percentage is ideal - but we really do need healthy competition in the search market, rather than near-monopoly market dominance.

And not only "we" as webmasters need competition, but "we" as citizens of the planet. There are many unhappy consequences after any monopoly gets established, including government regulation and meddling of many kinds.

Google has often stated that they welcome competition. Still, I'm certain they would rather not lose even one percent of their market share, espcially during this challenging economic period. I certainly don't see Google quaking in fear, but they certainly do need to be vigilant.

It is interesting whenever there is any press coverage of anything at all to consider why this story is published at this time. The NY Post is not exactly the go-to source for tech news, after all! But this headline is getting a lot of attention in other media - and it mostly spins out from "unnamed sources" innuendo. Mission accomplished, I'd say, whatever the mission was.