Start Your Search Engines: Microsoft's Bid to Join Race
Who would have thought that your online search for “actor that played Kramer on Seinfeld” would actually make someone money? Well Microsoft wants your business, and in an emphatic attempt, is trying to buy Yahoo to get in on the action. Why the sudden urge? What does this mean for the online community? In “search” of these answers, Marlene Burkhardt, assistant professor of economics and business administration, provides some insight. Now displaying 5 of 2,623,789 results:
Question
Why would Microsoft have interest in a company like Yahoo?
Answer
I believe they have a desperate need to acquire a company like Yahoo, so they can become better ingrained in providing online services. The whole online search field is an area where that they haven’t been able to successfully compete.
Q
Why is Google against the bid?
A
Google is the big competitor. Yahoo and Google are the big rivals in the search industry. The business in this is online advertising, of which Google is the leader, and the hope for Microsoft is to take number 2 and eventually become number 1 by buying Yahoo. People say it will be a culture clash, but I think they will blend well together.
Q
What would the acquisition mean for Internet users?
A
I actually think that it will benefit to have Microsoft merge with Yahoo because anytime you have an increase in competition, and Microsoft is going to be an extreme competitor, you will have better service provided. There will be cheaper services and there will be an ad war.
Q
Will this hinder competition?
A
The whole reason Google will push an antitrust lawsuit is because it will be more of a monopoly, but Microsoft will still have to contend with Google. And I feel this competition is going to be fierce.
Q
Would it be in Yahoo’s best interest to keep or sell?
A
I don’t think Yahoo believes it is in its best interest, but there are some people who realize the value that it would also bring to Yahoo. I really think that Yahoo could benefit from a merger with Microsoft; there is no reason why they couldn’t value and appreciate what Microsoft has to offer, while Microsoft is able to gain the technical expertise and the youth that Yahoo has to offer.
- Christopher Bender '10, Juniata online journalist