Bing Pressuring Google
January 1, 2011
Keep in mind that Google controls a big chunk of Web and mobile search. I am not sure what the mid-tier consulting firms report as Google’s share, but it is hefty. The number 65 percent of US searches is one that I see from time to time. Microsoft, therefore, is in catch up mode. “Can Bing Take on Google with These New Features” reported:
“Starting today, if your search results include a specific link that has also been ‘liked’ by someone in your Facebook network the link will be highlighted as ‘Liked’ within Bing,” Microsoft’s Bing team explains. “This gets especially interesting for a query like ‘Xbox’ where my friend ‘Liked’ the ‘Kinect’ site and while our algorithms didn’t feel it was relevant enough to make it the ‘answer’ we reference above, we are still able to indicate that my friend liked that link that happened to show up within the results.”
The new functions are interesting and aimed at individuals who do popular or what I call “soft” searching. There are social features with Facebook hooks, information about sports, and new local search services.
Three observations:
- Microsoft is hooking into other information providers; for example, for restaurant information, OpenTable. This interlocking is useful, and it is a model that may give Microsoft an advantage as Google races to gain ground in social functions and refine its consumerized offerings.
- Microsoft is pushing the user experience angle. Right now, Bing.com looks quite good to me, and I have a hunch that consumers will respond positively to polish and gloss.
- Google is the clear leader. With refinements to Bing.com, Google faces 2011 with the knowledge that Microsoft is not prepared to concede defeat in search and search-related services.
However, the punishing costs of delivering consumer information services are unlikely to go down in 2011. Both Google and Microsoft have the cash to keep the search arms race operational. The downside is that companies with solid Web search technology enter 2011 with foreknowledge of the costs of competing in general purpose, consumer centric search and search related applications.
It looks like a two horse race for search in 2011. Which horse has the prettier one trick revenue pony?
Stephen E Arnold, January 1, 2011
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This is a good thing to finally bring some healthy competition in search.