Even Yahoo Googles stuff

Everyone and their mother Googles stuff. Whether it’s really the best search engine or not depends on preference, but Google has managed to take over the internet with nearly 64% of all USA desktop searches (according to comScore). There’s no denying the Mountain View giant is doing something good, though, as even Yahoo has decided to use Google for some of its search queries.

During Yahoo’s 3rd quarter earnings report, the company mentioned they have reached a 3-year with the Search Giant. This will allow them to display Google’s search results for certain queries. Why Yahoo would do this instead of using its own search technology is anyone’s guess right now, but the company is no stranger to these practices. Yahoo also holds a deal with Microsoft to use Bing in a similar fashion.

Yahoo’s deal with Google is non-exclusive, so they will continue working with Microsoft as well. There will simply be a system which allows them to pick and choose when to use a search engine or the other. But again – why would Yahoo do something like this?

In October, the Company reached an agreement with Google that provides Yahoo with additional flexibility to choose among suppliers of search results and ads. Google’s offerings complement the search services provided by Microsoft, which remains a strong partner, as well as Yahoo’s own search technologies and ad products.

As the old saying states: if you can’t beat them, join them. This is exactly what Yahoo seems to be up to. Their search engine isn’t half bad. Regardless, it’s hard (and some would say impossible) to beat Google at this point in time, so they might as well reap from the benefits the Search Giant could bring to the table. Yahoo is not saying much about the reasons behind this choice, though, so don’t quote me on this.

The agreement also involves advertising, which Yahoo can manipulate in its own results, allowing them to maximize their profits. In my mind, it works similar to a deal between a wireless network and an MVNO carrier.

I was honestly more surprised to learn that almost 13% of US online searches are done through Yahoo. And guess what – over 1% of US searchers still use AOL! What is this, 2005? How many of you use something other than Google for your searches, and why?