Back in February, we mentioned the possible Yahoo/Microsoft merger and the effects it might have on small business owners (see: “Is the Potential Microsoft/Yahoo Marriage on Your Small Business Owner Radar?“). The offer is back on the radar, but this time with a different proposition.

Microsoft said Sunday that it was no longer seeking to acquire Yahoo!, which may mean a partnership is in the works instead.

The statement on Microsoft’s site is as follows, “Microsoft is not proposing to make a new bid to acquire all of Yahoo! at this time, but reserves the right to reconsider that alternative depending on future developments and discussions that may take place with Yahoo! or discussions with shareholders of Yahoo! or Microsoft or with other third parties.”

Yahoo’s annual meeting with shareholders is set for July 3rd, which means more information on this possible partnership may be revealed at that time.

A Search Engine Rankings report released by comScore, Inc. on March 19, 2008 shows where major Search Engines stand in regards to their percentage of power in the online market at this time:

February 2008 U.S. Core Search Rankings
In February, Google Sites extended its share of core searches to 59.2 percent, up from 58.5 percent the previous month. Yahoo! Sites ranked second with 21.6 percent, followed by Microsoft Sites (9.6 percent), AOL LLC (4.9 percent), and Ask Network (4.6 percent).

February U.S. Expanded Search Rankings
In the February 2008 analysis of the Top 50 properties worldwide where search activity is observed, Google Sites led with 7.4 billion searches. Yahoo! Sites ranked second with 2.3 billion searches, followed by Microsoft Sites (984 million), and AOL LLC (864 million).”

Regardless of the possible merger, facts show that it would still be highly likely for Google to dominate the market in online searchers and advertising revenue. The merger may, however, be good news for online advertisers. A combined effort between Yahoo! and MSN could help to improve the ease and functionality of their search marketing tools, which remain sub par to Google’s at this time as well.

Learn More:
“Microsoft Approaches Yahoo Again, This Time As a Partner“- Wired.com
Microsoft-Yahoo Partnership Wouldn’t Dethrone Google- USAToday.com
comScore Releases February 2008 U.S. Search Engine Rankings- Comscore.com

-Stacie Leonard, Ecommerce Marketing/Copywriting

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