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Friday, 31st October 2003

Microsoft and Google: Partners or rivals

Web Search--Google
Source: The New York Times
"Microsoft and Google: Partners or rivals?"
With all of the talk lately that:
1) Google will have an IPO early in 2004
2) Microsoft is going to develop its own search product this article will sure to kick the speculation of "what will happen" meter into overdrive. According to this NYT article talk about a possible purchase or partnership of Google by Mr. Gates continues.
From the article:
* Microsoft approached Google within the last two months to discuss options, including the possibility of a takeover.
* Though seemingly spurned, Microsoft may still be interested in pursuing Google at a later date, according to an executive briefed on the discussions.
* The auction route is said to appeal to Google's founders, Sergey Brin and Larry Page, who are known for their fascination in pursing technical solutions to many different kinds of problems. But it appears that Google is more likely to take the traditional path of using Wall Street to sell its initial offering. It is still toying with the idea, executives said, of using an online auction for a possible secondary offering as a way to allow its millions of users to have a better opportunity to buy its shares.
* Microsoft as a search competitor could change the market's assessment of Google's value.
One of the MANY things that Google has going for it is how the company is perceived and though of by its loyal user base. No one doubts that some of Google's success, to this point, has been carefully developing and building its public image.
A formal relationship with Microsoft (of all companies) would be likely viewed as the ultimate sell-out and strongly weaken how the company is viewed and used by its most loyal users. However, the role that this would play on the masses who just want to use a search engine is most likely small. However, if word-of-mouth/viral marketing can make "to Google" a verb in just a few years, can it work the other way? A gut feeling on my part, the end of talk between MS and Google (GoogleSoft?) is not over.
See Also: Friendster Says No To Google Buyout (via SJ Mercury News)

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