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[online.wsj.com...]
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Great press for a public offering down the road...
Rising Clout of Google Prompts Rush by Internet Rivals to Adapt
As More Users Go There First, Its Wider Influence on Web Threatens Microsoft, Yahoo.
Counterattacks are Beginning
The Wall Street Journal, July 16, 2003, Vol 242 No 11, Page A1
Quick and dirty summary:
"Google ranks the Web sites users see after searches, based on how many other Web sites provide link to the sites. It's a novel concept that delivers fast and relevant results, though Google has to be vigilent against attempts to game its system."
The link farm folks should be THRILLED with this sentence. They sure do love the "game."
[edited by: martinibuster at 3:44 pm (utc) on July 16, 2003]
A search engine built into Longhorn could pose a strong challenge to Google. Microsoft won't comment on plans for Longhorn.
2005 seems like the lead-up to a high-noon showdown in the Search Engine wars.
Google News shook Yahoo. On the day it appeared, Yahoo Chief Operating Officer Dan Rosensweig grilled employees about what it meant for Yahoo, says someone familiar with the matter. Worried Yahoo executives began calling industry contacts to see if they thought Google News signified a threat, say two people who received calls
Also it seems still Microsoft dont understand much about the search business or Google's Strategy ... "Search results that aren't influenced by advertising" are the key to attract people , but from the following quote it seems they still want to fill the SERPS with crap
Yusuf Mehdi, a Microsoft vice president said Microsoft saw a strong search engine as one of a key set of features essential for MSN's long-term growth. One possible use of search: to drive growth of subscription services. As Ms. Gurry explains, a search on "Madonna," for instance, could direct the Internet user to a Microsoft online music service.
Although Google has revolutionized the Search Engine business with their sophisticated algorithms, it stands to reason that Microsoft and Yahoo have the resources to come up with powerful improved algorithms also. Competition is a good thing... I look forward to these new engines.
a search on "Madonna," for instance, could direct the Internet user to a Microsoft online music service
Wow, people unclear on the concept. Microsoft is so "last century" sometimes.
Wow, people unclear on the concept. Microsoft is so "last century" sometimes.
Not sure its so bad as that. The goal of search isn't necessarily to give you a list of web sites. It's to provide you with the answer to your question or drive you to your goal. Being the "provider of choice" for a big portal could be do or die in the next wave of search engines.
If I am under the umbrella of MSN (I'm not, but many are) - and I search for "Madonna", I want a site with information about Madonna, and may want to listen to her music. I don't necessarily need every "Madonna" fan site out there.
This was the original goal of Ask.com - something that is tremendously difficult to do. Google is closer than most, the fact that they have an "I'm feeling lucky button" - something that skips the entire process of searching through the site - is representative of the fact that many people don't care to do the choosing themselves, they are happy if an "authority" chooses the best results for them.
There are many examples of this - Yahoo's new "context sensitive" search tries to drive you to the answer to your question without making you click a link.
It's always dangerous to underestimate MS. ;)
It's always dangerous to underestimate MS. ;)
Those who do, always, ALWAYS lose.
