Spinfield: Web marketing trends today, tomorrow, and beyond…

Here are some highlights from the search world this week.

• Microsoft Withdraws Offer. Even though there was the threat of a hostile takeover, Microsoft has decided to withdraw its offer for Yahoo!. In addition to sending a letter to Yahoo! CEO Jerry Yang, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer had this to say regarding the decision:
  

  Despite our best efforts, including raising our bid by roughly $5 billion, Yahoo! has not moved toward accepting our offer. After careful consideration, we believe the economics demanded by Yahoo! do not make sense for us, and it is in the best interests of Microsoft stockholders, employees and other stakeholders to withdraw our proposal.

• Yahoo! Responds. Yahoo! president Jerry Yang posted on the Yodel Anecdotal the company’s next steps. The post lists Yahoo! products and services released in the first quarter, such as Buzz and video on Flickr. He also touches on the withdrawal of the Microsoft offer and how the entire experience has impacted the company.

• More News Now! Google News is available to iPhone and iPod Touch users in over 30 countries, with improved news results, and, in certain areas the ability to see relevant YouTube videos.
• Add a Touch of Class. iGoogle has added world-class artist themes as options to further personalize your iGoogle homepage. Artists and designers including Jeff Koons, Dolce & Gabbana, Oscar de la Renta, and Anne Geddes are among the many artists participating in the iGoogle Artists project.
• Looking for Something? Microsoft released a new version of Live Search QnA. This new release, called the “Renaissance” release, has features including a new look & feel, a new sign-up process, and enhancements to improve ease-of-use. For more details regarding the new release visit the Live QnA blog.

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