Microsoft bid for Yahoo good or bad

temi · Feb 11th, 2008, 16:31

Some people (including Microsoft) argue that if Microsoft's bid for Yahoo successes, it will create a powerful number two search engine that can compete with Google effectively, I personally do not think this would be the case as Google is far head of Yahoo and MSN combined.

Do you think its will be good for us as website owners if MS succeeds?

alexgeek · Feb 11th, 2008, 17:33

Moved to café.
No, I will always use google.
A crap search engine combined with another crap search engine is still.. a crap search engine

I know a lot of people use yahoo, but in my experience the search results were completely irrelevant.

aso186 · Feb 11th, 2008, 19:27

The problem with Yahoo is that it's a very popular website that happens to have a search feature.

unitedcraig · Feb 11th, 2008, 19:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by aso186

The problem with Yahoo is that it's a very popular website that happens to have a search feature.

True, google is "the" search engine, even pensioners are "googleing" now, its got it's own verb lol

delusion · Feb 11th, 2008, 20:47

If you purchase an Acer pc or laptop the Yahoo page is set as default homepage, and Acer is a pretty well known brand.

unitedcraig · Feb 11th, 2008, 20:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by delusion

If you purchase an Acer pc or laptop the Yahoo page is set as default homepage, and Acer is a pretty well known brand.

Not true, mine was set as the acer homepage

mcdanielnc89 · Feb 11th, 2008, 23:36

I will always use google. I do not like using MSN or Yahoo!

Lchad · Feb 12th, 2008, 01:36

I think in most instances reducing the number of competitors in a specified business sector is bad for business all around. The less competition there is, the more price gouging occurs, the less innovator the remainder become, and the less they care about their clients or employees.

delusion · Feb 12th, 2008, 01:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by unitedcraig

Not true, mine was set as the acer homepage

Acer Netherlands does.. But 99% of Holland uses Google anyway

daygon · Feb 12th, 2008, 06:01

in my opinion yahoo is really only used for their stuff for autos, mail, music, games, all that jazz... not really as much of a search engine anyways... a starter search engine... but google is more well know as being more reliable than yahoo... besides yahoo spams like no other... but for microsofts conquest to tap into everything and steal other's ideas... poor steve jobs...

temi · Feb 12th, 2008, 06:58

Well, the plot thickens, Yahoo rejected Microsoft bid yesterday, and Microsoft responded today saying "its rather unfortunate" all eyes are now on what microsoft will do next. They seem to have been stalking Yahoo for over 2 years.

welshstew · Feb 12th, 2008, 08:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by temi

Well, the plot thickens, Yahoo rejected Microsoft bid yesterday, and Microsoft responded today saying "its rather unfortunate" all eyes are now on what microsoft will do next. They seem to have been stalking Yahoo for over 2 years.

Even though they have rejected this initial offer, they have lef the door open for other offers to come through.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7239220.stm

I don't think this acquisition will help MS gain more dominance in the search market. It will, however, increase its reach into the online advertising revenue market. A larger share of a market currently worth approx 15 billion dollars...

temi · Feb 12th, 2008, 08:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by welshstew

I don't think this acquisition will help MS gain more dominance in the search market.

From Microsoft viewpoint, 30% share of the search market is a hell of a lot more than the less than 10% they have at the moment and who knows, if they combine technologies Yahoo developed over the years with Windows and other resources, they may be able to gain another 5-10% of the market.

One other thing Balmer said which I believe is that, they usually get into new market late, but they always succeeds, XBox for example, it was only developed years and years after Playstation and others have dominated the games market but look what Microsoft has turn Xbox to today.

unitedcraig · Feb 12th, 2008, 08:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by welshstew

A larger share of a market currently worth approx 15 billion dollars...

That pretty much sums them up doesn't it, as long as there is a profit...

welshstew · Feb 12th, 2008, 09:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by temi

From Microsoft viewpoint, 30% share of the search market is a hell of a lot more than the less than 10% they have at the moment

Agreed, but there is no guarantee that once they merge the market shares will merge as well. In fact, in light of peoples avariance to MS (shown through only 10% share) I would say they would be lucky to come out with 15% share once all the dust has settled.

Quote:

Originally Posted by temi

and who knows, if they combine technologies Yahoo developed over the years with Windows and other resources, they may be able to gain another 5-10% of the market.

Well, thats the big question for me too. Will they try something new & keep driving the search market forward or will the search market stagnate as there aren't enough competitors?

temi · Feb 12th, 2008, 09:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by welshstew

Agreed, but there is no guarantee that once they merge the market shares will merge as well.

I don't actually think they will merge MSN with Yahoo, they will probably keep both separate entities but since they are not from the same stable, Microsoft can claim 30% of the search market. I don't think it will be a good idea to merge MSN and Yahoo into one entity.

welshstew · Feb 12th, 2008, 09:51

But people will still have an avariance to "Yahoo" as it will be owned by MS. I believe they will use other SE's because of the owner and reduce "Yahoos" share of the market, and therefore MS's overall market share.

Anyway, it's a mute point until we see if another offer comes in & if it is accepted.

temi · Feb 12th, 2008, 10:55

I don't think most people care who owns what, as long as it gives them the service they wanted. I remember the the browser war (IE V Netscape) well, AOL is scrapping Netscape support in March, 2008.

Despite all the hatred directed at IE, it emerge victorious, so, I do not think hostility to MS would affect Yahoo should they buy it.