mediajunk

Time magazine has published a feature on Google and how it is about to face stiff competition from "a gang of web search companies", in a market that looks increasingly lucrative. Google’s success with its AdWords programme, helped by its recent and controversial algorithm update, has certainly proved that the search market is a cash-cow. But I personally don’t see any other company being able to compete with Google any time soon. Not even Microsoft. The Time article interviewed Kirk Konigsbauer, general manager of MSN Search, who conceded that Microsoft’s much-anticipated foray into internet search is a long way from being ready. "This is a really hard computer-science problem,” he explained. “In fact, our engineers say this is the hardest computer-science problem they've ever had to face." Google realised that internet search was a computer science project right from the outset. That’s why they’ve got so many PhDs on their staff. Google not only got a headstart -- it changed the search paradigm. And as others struggle to catch up, it continues to change it. Like it or not, the Florida update was part of that ongoing commitment to changing the paradigm. It hurt Mom 'n' Pop business -- but the average web searcher doesn't seem to notice that anything has changed behind the scenes. That so many entrants to the web search market are trying to emulate Google’s marketing success -- rather than focus on the quality of their own results -- is testament to the strength of Google’s brand. Names like Mooter and Kanoodle have a, well, coopycat feel. The pack may be chasing. But Google is increasing its lead.