Google on Yahoo?
Submitted by smile66603 on Fri, 05/02/2008 - 04:27.
Did anyone else read the story on news.com that Yahoo may start showing Google ads? Does this mean if we're advertising on Yahoo, we'll be competing with Yahoo and Google advertisers, or is this just with the content network?
James
It Won't Happen
They're talking about doing a full-blown sponsored search syndication with Google. I'm not sure if it will get by anti-trust regulators though...
If Yahoo starts using Google for search inventory it would kill what little competition is left in paid search. That being said, it will never get approval.
Strategic move perhaps?
Perhaps Yahoo is thinking if it uses Google for it's search results, more people will use the SE making it more popular thereby increasing it's stock price and making it more expensive for Microsoft to purchase?
If Microsoft does buy Yahoo,
If Microsoft does buy Yahoo, do you think it will have a big effect on how Yahoo Search Marketing is run, or will they probably keep it the same?
I've had enough changes lately; I'm ready for a break. Unfortunately, in affiliate marketing, things are always changing, so search campaigns constantly have to be updated.
James
It's hard to say what would
It's hard to say what would change. I think a MSFT/YHOO announcement is coming Monday. Once we know what's happening with the merger things should become more clear.
Microsoft drops bid after Yahoo rejects higher offer
Microsoft drops bid after Yahoo rejects higher offer...
http://www.usatoday.com/tech/techinvestor/2008-05-03-microsoftyahoo_N.ht...
The dust hasn't settled
The dust hasn't settled quite yet. I see 1 of 2 things happening in the next few months.
1- Yahoo's stock price could plummet, making it possible for MSFT to try a hostile takeover.
2- Microsoft goes fishing for another sizeable player - e.g. Ask.com, or a big social network (FaceBook).
I don't think we've seen the last of Microsoft, but they really do look like a lumbering giant after this failed attempt to pick up Yahoo.
Personally, I'm happy that Yahoo is still on their own. I have a vested interest in Yahoo and want to see them continue down their current path. It's going to be hard for them to challenge Google in search, but I think they could carve out a nice slice of the market.
All part of the plan
I think this is all part of the MS game plan. They're calling Yahoo's bluff and hoping that, a few weeks or months in the future when Yahoo is still having problems, they'll be more receptive to the initial offer made by MS.
It's similar to an old car salesman's trick to make the customer take the price offered and not negotiate. If you won't bite at that price, I withdraw my offer.
I too would like to see Yahoo fend off any takeover attempts by MS. I think the more competition in the paid search market the better for all concerned. Having said that, Yahoo will have to do something pretty spectacular to not be a target for a takeover attempt.
Why is it that every article
Why is it that every article I read talks about Yahoo being in trouble, or struggling to catch up, but then they also mention that Yahoo is worth $30+ billion dollars. Maybe the business teachers I had were wrong, but I thought a company being worth $30 billion dollars was a good thing and a sign of success. If this is failure, then I hope I'm cursed with the same success, I mean failure that Yahoo has. I'd love to be a CEO with a net worth of 1.9 billion. Sure they’re not number one, but you don’t always have to be number one. They’re number two and everyone has heard of Yahoo, so they have great brand recognition.
Someone told me the quote, "Don’t let perfect be the enemy of good enough”. Just like in Affiliate Marketing, there is such a thing as over optimizing. You get to a point where you actually start hurting your business instead of helping it. Stop trying to be perfect and just find the niche that works for you and do your best at it. I don’t see anyone trying to replace Yahoo, so it looks like they’re in good shape to me. As far as search marketing goes, I prefer the Yahoo interface and really like the new features they just added, especially the keyword function that lets you look at all of your keywords on one screen.
James
I think the Microsoft offer
I think the Microsoft offer was a ploy. They came in and made a reasonable offer just below what they thought Yahoo would take. Then they dragged their feet after Yahoo rejected it as a stalling tactic knowing they were diverting Yahoo's attention and resources. I feel like they never intended to make the purchase but intended on causing Yahoo's stock to fall. Google will never be able to buy Yahoo because it won't pass anti-trust laws. So that option is out. The only option for Microsoft is to let the stock continue to fall and then make a hostile takeover or keep looking. Either way, Microsoft has won.
Cheers,
Jason Woods
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