From a search advertising perspective, the merger/acquisition makes sense. Although Google, Yahoo!, and Microsoft make up the 3 dominant PPC search advertising platforms, Google is AT LEAST 1-2 full generations ahead of Yahoo! and Microsoft on virtually every possible metric/feature.
The integration of 2 vastly different corporate cultures however could prove to be a VERY daunting task.
There's a LOT of history here. As a little as 4-5 years ago, the 3 search giants were still in arrangements where they were displaying some of each others' organic search results data.
Microsoft was the last one to get into the PPC advertising business. (They were originally working with LookSmart on the paid side and Inktomi on the organic side if I remember correctly.)
And although Yahoo! (GoTo/Overture) was really first in PPC advertising, Google has REALLY chipped away at their once dominant position over the past several years.
Regardless of knowing whether it is going to work well or not, it's nice to see someone trying to create something that will give those looking for iPhone-type devices other options if they don't like a particular interface or product. Options are always important in technology and help people find things that are going to work with their particular preferences and current products. It's nice to see some competition entering. If there was just one great piece of technology available, things wouldn't be half as interesting. I know many computer consultants that prefer not to support Apple products will welcome a new option.
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From a search advertising perspective, the merger/acquisition makes sense. Although Google, Yahoo!, and Microsoft make up the 3 dominant PPC search advertising platforms, Google is AT LEAST 1-2 full generations ahead of Yahoo! and Microsoft on virtually every possible metric/feature. The integration of 2 vastly different corporate cultures however could prove to be a VERY daunting task. There's a LOT of history here. As a little as 4-5 years ago, the 3 search giants were still in arrangements where they were displaying some of each others' organic search results data. Microsoft was the last one to get into the PPC advertising business. (They were originally working with LookSmart on the paid side and Inktomi on the organic side if I remember correctly.) And although Yahoo! (GoTo/Overture) was really first in PPC advertising, Google has REALLY chipped away at their once dominant position over the past several years.
Regardless of knowing whether it is going to work well or not, it's nice to see someone trying to create something that will give those looking for iPhone-type devices other options if they don't like a particular interface or product. Options are always important in technology and help people find things that are going to work with their particular preferences and current products. It's nice to see some competition entering. If there was just one great piece of technology available, things wouldn't be half as interesting. I know many computer consultants that prefer not to support Apple products will welcome a new option.