U.S. Search Engine Market Share

Microsoft and Yahoo Change Search Marketing

On July 29, 2009 Microsoft and Yahoo announced a new alliance that will have a far-reaching impact on search engine marketing.

Under the terms of the ten-year agreement (which will require regulatory approval), Yahoo will deploy Microsoft's well-received Bing search engine, while Yahoo will field a global advertising sales force representing the Internet properties owned by both firms.

On the whole, search marketers welcome the new deal. The chart below shows why.

U.S. Search Engine Market Share June 2009

With 65% market share, Google dominates search in the US. Google actually added 2% to its market share in the first six months of 2009, so it is well on its way to accounting for 2/3 of all U.S. searches.

Microsoft and Yahoo together accounted for just 25% of market share at the end of June 2009. While less than half Google's share, the new alliance could create a more serious challenge for the market leader.

Search marketers have deep respect for Google, which almost single-handedly created the search marketing industry. However, everybody would like to see more competition in the industry, particularly in advertising rates and service.