Microsoft Says to Take Aim at Google

[Sharon & Roy]

Hi Forum-Mates,

Just came across a brief article we thought would be a good quick read to keep abreast of Microsoft's plans ...

Microsoft Says to Take Aim at Google (http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=internetNews&storyID=2497128)

Some excerpts ...


Wed April 2, 2003 04:01 PM ET

PALO ALTO, Calif. (Reuters) - Microsoft Corp. MSFT.O , the world's No. 1 software maker, on Wednesday said it is taking aim at privately held Google Inc., the Web-search company that's so popular its name is used as a verb.

"We do view Google more and more as a competitor. We believe that we can provide consumers with a better product and a better user experience. That's something that we're actively looking at doing," Bob Visse, director of marketing for Microsoft's MSN Internet services division, said.

Visse said the company was making some significant investments in developing a better search engine. But the company has not offered specific plans.

Google, the No. 1 Web-search provider, has become so pervasive that it is not uncommon for people to refer to searching the Internet as "googling."

A Google representative could not be immediately reached for comment.

[stevew]

Perhaps a pre-emptive anti-competition lawsuit might be best, to stop the nightmare before it begins???

Better product? Better user experience? Ambiguous corporate-speak.

No mention of "Better search results" ...

[ihelpyou]

We believe that we can provide consumers with a better product and a better user experience.
What a joke that is.

What he meant to say was "We hope to line our pockets better and faster than before."

Better product my ass.

[mncsc]

"We do view Google more and more as a competitor."

I'm sure Google feels more secure now that M$ has recognized them as a competitor. :lol:

[metastones]

I always enjoy the way you stir the pot Shron and Roy. You bring to the fore one of my worst fears. As a small e-commerce, niche business, based in South Africa with most of my clientele in America PPC becomes expensive because of the exchange rate. Thanks to the advice I have received in this forum we come up on the first page of Google for most of our selected search terms. After that good PR and competative prices do the rest.

If for any reason Google or it's feeds become less powerful we are in trouble. For example prior to Google and Yahoo getting into bed together $300 to Yahoo would be a substantial investment in local terms. Of course recently the US$ has weakened substantially but thta alson reduces our profit margin so makes little difference to the equation.

Any posative suggestions?

[Advisor]

We believe that we can provide consumers with a better product and a better user experience. :green:

I guess they're going to get rid of LookSmart and Inktomi then???

J

[metastones]

LoL Jill

I expect the firstpositive suggestion I will receive is to spell check.... Sorry Sharon.

[stevew]

If for any reason Google or it's feeds become less powerful we are in trouble. I'd say:
If for any reason MS becomes more powerful we are REALLY in trouble.