YahooSoft

YahooSoft...the word just rolls off your tongue like Google, or AltaVista or better yet, ...bad idea! In an almost gossipy sounding article today (sub required), WSJ announced that Microsoft and Yahoo have been secretly consipiring to take on Google head-on with Microsoft buying an equity stake in Yahoo.

Microsoft has been busy sipping their Caramel Macchiatto's up in Redmond, trying to come up with an idea to take on the mighty Googlers. Yesterday, it was reported that Microsoft's new version of IE will contain a browser built-in search bar that will query results from Microsoft. Google, in turn has threatened to call in the Anti-Trust bouncers and remind them them about the really mean guys up in the state of Washington. (And I thought nerds never played dirty). I digress.

Taking on Google when it comes to Search is a bad idea - a very bad idea. Google already has a loyal, dedicated following of users. I heard/read something recently that most Web-saavy users already use Google because of how consistantly Google delievers top-notch search results.

Here's an idea (and one that's been echoed across mainstream media for a few weeks now) if Yahoo and Microsoft et al want to take-on Google, why not do it where it's going to hurt Google the most - advertisements. Where could they do this? They could take advantage of PPC marketers who seek to drive traffic to their websites, or websites owned by others. Google has been a real stickler by only allowing one Display URL per website.

If I were Microsoft or Yahoo, I would allow as many Display URL's to be displayed as PPC Marketers wanted to display. There would be no cost to you as you collect a fee every time a person clicks on an ad, regardless of what URL they are taken to.

If Microsoft and Yahoo did this, Affiliate Marketers and Web Marketers would FLOCK away from Google to these other search engines. And Terry, and Bill would be lauging all the way to the bank.