Last week presented some good news and bad news for the players in the search industry:
- Microsoft announced their spring updates to their Live Search Platform. In their (and everyone else’s) continued attempts to compete with Google, they have added a news search capability. Users will be able to search stories, photos and videos from around the world. Another feature will include providing local news based on the user’s IP address for location.
- Microsoft has purchased Farecast, a travel search site. Farecast helps customers decide when to purchase tickets by providing predictions of increases of decreases in cost. It is reported that the deal was made for somewhere in the $100-$115 million range.
- Yahoo is being sued over claims of click-fraud, from 2002-2006. BigReds.com says they were charged for fraudulent clicks due to the affiliate marketing program they enrolled in before Overture was bought by Yahoo in 2003. Big Red is claiming the affiliates of the program fraudulently clicked the ads to increase their own commissions.
- Lycos has announced their partnership with Click Forensics. Lycos, another player in the search world, is following in the footsteps of Yahoo, who signed a deal with Click Forensics about a month ago. Click Forensics works to find sources of bad traffic and click-fraud.
- Google has reported a 31% increase in profits in Q1 this year, compared to 2007. Despite some questionable reports from comScore and current market conditions, Google continues to dominate.
- Google was once again named as the Top Global Brand, according to Millward Brown’s “Top 100 Most Powerful Brands.”
Would you like to learn more? You may:
- Fill out our information request form.
- Review information found on our Web site.
- Or contact me directly at 216-674-1600 x 109
Tags: Click Forensics • Farecast • Google • Lycos • Microsoft • Search Engines • yahoo
Copyright © 2008 by IdeaStar. All rights reserved.
Add a Comment