A9 dumps Google for search, switches to Live.com

by Darren McLaughlin

Another win for Microsoft in the search engine wars. Although the deal is probably not big in terms of revenue, it can hurt in esteem. Google has enjoyed a reputation as a superior search engine, but how long that hold can last is uncertain.

Earlier today I reported about news that Microsoft is investing heavily in web technologies. Coupled with the deal with Amazon, this may represent a turning point for Microsoft. If Live.com is promoted heavily in conjuction with the wide release of the new Vista O/S, which it likely will be, we can expect them to turn into a formidable opponent in the next few years.

Google has relied on their reputation carrying them for quite some time, and many people have been un-impressed with their results lately.

Asked whether Microsoft’s search engine is better than Google’s, Tennenhouse said, “It will be up to users to try that out.”

The users will get the chance now on one service. Google didn’t respond to the news of the change at all. Microsoft is planning a direct attack on the very part of the sector that has made Google grow so fast, so they’re surely scrambling for ways to protect their current partnerships. Time will tell if this is a big deal, or just a blip on the road.