Original URL: http://www.theregister.co.uk/2010/02/13/microsoft_yahoo_clearance_close/
Microsoft's Yahoo! pact closer to clearance
Who's number two?
Posted in Business, 13th February 2010 00:40 GMT
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Microsoft's plan to become a credible number two to Google in online search could be a step closer.
Reuters has reported [1] that Microsoft is expected to secure approval for its 10-year search pact with Yahoo!, as a European Union deadline to approve or reject the deal approaches on February 19.
A source quoted by Reuters said: "I expect clearance without any concessions next Friday."
The companies' agreement was announced in July 2009. Senior vice president for Microsoft's online audience business Yusuf Mehdi said [2] last week that as soon as Microsoft closed and implemented the Yahoo! deal, Microsoft will have achieved a milestone. "For advertisers, we are a credible No. 2."
Microsoft in January continued its US search market share gains, with Bing again inching up to hit 11.3 per cent - half a per centage point higher than December. Google, meanwhile, saw its market share fall by 0.3 per cent to 65.4 per cent. ®