Google, Yahoo and Microsoft are vying for control of the fast-growing market for Web advertising. The departure of Yahoo chief executive Jerry Yang could clear the way for an acquisition of the Internet portal, perhaps by Microsoft, some analysts say.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
Microsoft
The maker of the Windows operating systems, it has long been the dominant player in PC software.
Strong positions in gaming with its Xbox, and in software for Internet servers.
As consumers have turned more and more to the Internet, Microsoft has struggled to make a mark. Its search engine consistently ranks third. Nine percent of Internet searches in the United States are conducted on Microsoft.
Market capitalization: $176 billion
YahooThe undisputed leader on the Internet when it comes to display advertising, according to eMarketer. It counts 141 million unique visitors monthly. That kind of mass audience is still very popular with advertisers and one of the key reasons, analysts say, that the acquisition of Yahoo could still be on Microsoft's to-do list.
Twenty percent of Internet searches in the United States are conducted on Yahoo.
It also owns photo-sharing site Flickr.
Believed to be the largest e-mail service.
Market capitalization: $16 billion
GoogleThe dominant corporate player on the Internet, largely due to its overwhelming lead in search and search advertising.
More than 60 percent of Internet searches in the United States are conducted on Google.
The revenue from search advertising is what fuels the Google juggernaut. It also owns YouTube, Picasa and DoubleClick.
Its Google Docs product offers free, stripped-down alternatives to Microsoft's popular Word and Excel products.
Market capitalization: $94 billion
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