Search Engine Wars
Search engine Wars – Where is Yahoo ?
Year 2009 has proved to be very exciting when it comes to new features and enhancements. Many companies, especially big brands, have taken recession as a pause for self analysis and they have been constantly upgrading their infrastructures for the time when economics crisis will be over. Search engines are no way behind and I have noticed some remarkable changes from Microsoft and Google. Yahoo, although being a major player among search engines, has not yet taken active part in the recent Search Engine Wars.
Microsoft is Becoming Social and Responsive:
Major changes/announcements from Microsoft includes a new social media platform “Vine” and a new search engine phenomena coined as “decision engine” ,“BING”. Microsoft had a poor social appearance, as compared to Google, i.e. Microsoft had been less responsive to public opinion and criticism as much as Google. Despite this, Microsoft’s initiatives are very much exciting, positive and appreciable. And this will improve the user experience online in a positive way.
Google is still innovative, creative and exciting:
Google has however no doubt, not failed in maintaining it’s image of an innovative company and has launched some very nice platforms and enhancement to ensure user loyalty with Google. Among many other enhancements that Google has continued to put forward, the most that inspired me are Google Wave, enhancements in Friend Connect gadgets, Google Searchology 2009, Search Options, Google Squared, Rich Snippets etc. not to forget the Google analytics, webmaster tools, publisher network and much more. What Google has succeeded in, is it’s good social image, Google has put a social face and has created an impression that it listens and cares for it’s users. On the other hand, Microsoft has lacked this image but recent changes show that Microsoft is planning to become more social and responsive in coming days.
But where is Yahoo?
Yahoo has a bigger market share than Microsoft and is not much behind Google in terms of technology but has failed to adopt the innovative style like Google. Google has succeed in getting the attention of it’s users by introducing versatile solutions and products and through continuous improvement and enhancement user loyalty and interest is maintained and I do not think people are yet bored with Google ! If Yahoo adopts the new social approach and starts listening and responding to users online, I think Yahoo will have better position than Microsoft in Search Engine Market.
Search Engine Wars !
There seems to be a never ending competition among search engines the shift from “simple internet search” to “Universal Search or Searchology” to “decision engines” to “computational engines like WolframAlpha” the things are no longer simpler for companies lacking innovation and creativity. These competitions are somewhat good for all of since it gives birth to new ideas and technologies, without positive competition there would have no progress like that we see today. Share your thoughts!