Is Google Really the 500-lb. Gorilla?
Eighteen months ago, the top three search engines had about the same number of users. Google has added so many services in that time, including Google Local and Google Mobile Search, and delivering your Gmail to your cell phone, that their share of market has climbed to more than 45% according to ComScoreMedia Matrix. The Buzz is that Google intends to created the world's largest marketing platform. Yahoo continues to lose share as their new advertising platform has been beset by delays.
Barry Diller, the guy who put Fox TV on the map, purchased AskJeeves back in March 2005 for nearly $2 billion. After losing a distribution deal with Dell computers, and discovering that "Ask Jeeves," had a reputation for poor quality, they lost market share and dropped poor Jeeves. Interestingly, Ask.Com is included in the "Google Search Network" and advertising purchased through Google can also run on Ask automatically.
The New York Times reports that broadband access in Britain surged in 2002 and now 47.4% of British homes have broadband compared with 43.9% in the US. The Internet is gobbling up a greater share of advertising dollars, too. One reason is that they have few TV outlets compared with the US. Another is that advertisers deal directly with Web publishers while Americans are reluctant to advertise through networks that place ads on member sites (Google Content Network). Most astonishing, I saw this recruitment ad for search marketing experts painted on the wall at a Tube stop! British Ad Agencies are actively recruiting for top-notch people with experience in search advertising. To find out more, visit 