When Web-analytics provider StatCounter reported that Microsoft's
Are searchers tiring of Bing now that the novelty has worn thin? Did the deal to power Yahoo!'s
Well, the first two questions are still debatable, but Experian's Hitwise unit has now checked in with its search-engine metrics for September. If Bing was looking forward to a second opinion, it's not going to like what Hitwise has to say.
Company |
August |
September |
Change |
---|---|---|---|
|
70.24% |
71.08% |
1% |
Yahoo! |
16.96% |
16.38% |
(3%) |
Microsoft |
9.48% |
8.96% |
(5%) |
Ask.com |
2.37% |
2.56% |
8% |
Source: Experian Hitwise.
The numbers don't line up exactly the way they did in the StatCounter report, but the end result is the same. Google gained market share last month at the expense of Yahoo! and Microsoft. IAC's
The heat is on at Bing. Now that two independent analytics specialists are confirming that Bing is slipping -- for the first time since its springtime launch -- Microsoft needs to stop a further slide.
Its first wave of "decision engine" ads were effective, if annoying. Now Microsoft needs to pick up the tempo, even if it means calling out Google by name.
There's nothing wrong with calling out the market leaders. It has certainly worked for Apple
It may also be time to take charge of emphasizing its shopping tab and cash-back rebate offers as we head into the holiday shopping season, just as Ask.com has done with this week's Ask Deals makeover.
Microsoft can't stand still. One monthly slip is a blip or an anomaly. Back-to-back monthly slips would be a trend.
Did Bing peak in August, or is there hope for Microsoft's search engine? What do you think? Let us know in the comment box below.