SearchEngineUpdate with Vanessa Zamora - 06-27-2008 Part I
Abstract: 1. Microsoft May Buy Semantic Search Engine Powerset For $100M Plus, 2. Russia's Yandex Search Engine Firm Set To Go Public
Vanessa Zamora
Video Content Producer, SearchEngineWorld
5:20 pm on June 27, 2008 (utc 0)
Transcript
Friday June 27, 2008
Microsoft May Buy Semantic Search Engine Powerset For $100M Plus
Reportedly Microsoft is set to acquire natural language search engine Powerset for somewhere around $100 million. Microsoft hopes to scale the competition with the integration of Powerset's technology that attempts to understand full meanings of phrases typed in by users while searching and respond accordingly. This is the latest move by Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer in his quest to accomplish what he says is the most important task for Microsoft, improving its search service. The move follows Microsoft's recently rolled out new “Cashback” program that offers cash back to users who make purchases using the Microsoft Live search engine. An official announcement regarding the acquisition is expected next month.
Russia's Yandex Search Engine Firm Set To Go Public
In attempt to ward off search engine Google, which is for once trailing behind by 10 points, Russia’s leading search engine Yandex, with 44 percent of the Russian search market, is expected to go public this fall. Yandex also holds the number two spot for search market share in Europe, according to web measurement firm comScore. In what may be Russia’s largest ever initial public offering in tech, Yandex is expected to earn as much as $2 billion, valuing the company at $5 billion. Yandex has plans to stay ahead by diversifying its offerings beyond it core search business to include a net payment system that lets customers make online purchases using scratch cards bought at kiosks, a travel information service that provides users traffic information in Russian cities, as well as a social networking site specific to businesspeople. Google, which estimates the market for search related ads in Russia will rise from $200 million in 2007 to $1 billion by 2010 is most likely planning its own strategy to make gains on Yandex.
