Thursday, May 19, 2011

The Conduit Toolbar Deal: A Bing Victory, Or Strategic Move By Google?

Today I read RKG's [as usual] brilliant blog piece on the impact of Conduit switching from Google to Bing. In it, RKG's Mark Ballard shows that, in getting Conduit to switch, Bing has taken ~1% search marketshare from Google. He also showed that Conduit traffic converts at 2/3 the rate of Google.com traffic.

I don't recall this change, which happened during December 2010 & January 2011, being discussed by Google in its Q1 earnings call, despite the fact that it possibly contributed to their Q1 miss (the one that destroyed ~$12-13B in market cap). IMO, Google takes great pains to appear supremely strategic, and sell-side analysts, for their part, are easily fooled because they lack fundamental knowledge of the SEM space.

That said, the big question in my mind is: did Bing take Conduit away from Google, or did Google dump Conduit? AllThingsD's Kara Swisher wrote about this, but commenters to the article disagree on this point. If Bing outbid Google in a deal Google wanted to keep, then one could argue that Google was handed a big, strategic loss. If, on the other hand, Google was no longer willing to pay what they had been paying to Conduit, then Bing took the bait and forked over a lot more dough than they should have for the 1-1.5% search marketshare this gives them.

My opinion? Bing outbid Google, and will do the same on a number of other major search distribution deals to come, including Firefox later this year. Bing monetizes search traffic at roughly the same rate as Google, and MSFT's cash hoard will now be used to wreak havoc on Google's growth in what may, just may become a sustainable advantage to Bing's search business.

My brother once took advantage of Bing's cashback rewards to buy several 1oz gold krugerrands via a Bing merchant for 30% off. That was 5 years ago and it appears Microsoft is not done throwing serious, serious coin around to buy their way into search. Meanwhile, 190 people in San Mateo are about to get a lot richer.

66 Comments:

Blogger seo melbourne said...

I am satisfied with your blog. Your post is dear. Increable trick about searchQuant. Good for seo. Thanks for sharing your precious comprehension with me.
seo melbourne

5:09 AM

 
Blogger Devid Pul said...

I like this concept. I visited your blog for the first time and just been your fan. Keep posting as I am gonna come to read it everyday!!


SEO Melbourne

5:44 AM

 
Blogger colin said...

I don't think Google gave it up - I think they lost it teeth whitening kits

11:36 AM

 
Blogger Zita said...

I am really impressed on the great coming on this amazing principle. It will be much easier to understand the complex in the simpler one. Hosting a website in india

5:22 AM

 
Blogger Muhammad Ashar said...

Thanks for your suggestion. I really appreciate that you took all this time to try and help us. Keep up the good work. Keep on taking action.cheap womens sandals

11:06 PM

 
Blogger Muhammad Ashar said...

Post very nicely written and it contains useful facts. I am happy to find your distinguished way of writing the post. Thanks a lot.what is considered low blood pressure

3:46 AM

 
Blogger Muhammad Ashar said...

I would like to thank you for the efforts you have made in writing this post. your provided information is easy to understand and implement.baby kitten names

9:26 PM

 
Blogger Muhammad Ashar said...

Post is nicely written and it contains many good things for me. I am glad to find your impressive way of writing the post.hair straightening cream permanent

11:19 PM

 
Blogger Muhammad Ashar said...

Really your publish is actually excellent and that i be thankful. You are writing perfectly that is amazing. I truly astounded by your publish regards.point pleasant nj

1:05 AM

 
Blogger Muhammad Ashar said...

It really is well written as well as efficient how old they are quite useful. I must say I experience so great reading your content regularly Because i choose to promote.hormone therapy for women

10:34 PM

 
Blogger ashishmaihu said...

Whats up, This is a wonderful summation, I located your blog checking google for any similar subject and observed this. I couldn't find as well significantly other tips and information on this posting, so it was fantastic to discover this one. I will almost certainly be returning to think about a number of other articles which you have written another time. bridal sarees online

10:54 PM

 
Blogger Muhammad Ashar said...

This is such a great resource that you are providing and you give it away for free. Keep it up of your great work.click here

2:04 AM

 
Blogger Muhammad Ashar said...

Pretty good post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that i have really enjoyed reading your blog posts.visit site

3:52 AM

 
Blogger Muhammad Ashar said...

It is a pretty good post. This post contains useful information which helps us a lot. I visit your website often and share with my friends.click here

9:31 PM

 
Blogger Muhammad Ashar said...

There's a lot to understand about media rss 1.5. We were able to provide you with some of the facts above but there is still plenty more to write about in subsequent articles.click here

10:29 PM

 
Blogger Muhammad Ashar said...

Very nice post. I simply stumbled upon your weblog and wished to mention that I've truly enjoyed browsing your weblog posts.visit now

11:15 PM

 
Blogger Muhammad Ashar said...

I must say that you are pretty good at blogging and you must need to carry on with this all the time. keep it up.visit

12:03 AM

 
Blogger Muhammad Ashar said...

I am sure this post has helped me save many hours of browsing other similar post just to find what i was looking for. I just want to say thank you.visit site

2:17 AM

 
Blogger Muhammad Ashar said...

Thanks for taking the time out to share this with the readers. I really appreciate the info you showed there. Keep doing what you're doing.visit this link

3:02 AM

 
Blogger Muhammad Ashar said...

This is highly informatics, crisp and clear. I think that everything has been described in systematic manner so that reader could get maximum information and learn many things.via

3:57 AM

 
Blogger Muhammad Ashar said...

Have you written any blog on bingo. As i can judge your quality writing. This is one of the best blogs I have read congrats for a very meaningful efforts.url

10:17 PM

 
Blogger Muhammad Ashar said...

Definitely a great design blog. This can be an individual and compared with your post. Keep it up more posting like this.here

11:14 PM

 
Blogger Muhammad Ashar said...

The post is written in very a good manner and it entails many useful information for me. I am happy to find your distinguished way of writing the post.visit now

12:08 AM

 
Blogger Muhammad Ashar said...

Now you make it easy for me to understand and implement the concept. Thank you for the post really a great efforts. I am really happy to see your blog.visit this link

12:31 AM

 
Blogger Muhammad Ashar said...

This is nice blog. I recently came across your blog and have been reading along. I thought i would leave my first comment. I don't know what to say except that i have enjoyed reading.read more

2:01 AM

 
Blogger Muhammad Ashar said...

Thanks for nice info. It's useful for me. Can you give me some more information with details. I will wait for your next post Thanks a lot.url

2:51 AM

 
Blogger Muhammad Ashar said...

I was looking for some topics that are enough popular and finally founded your blog it has superb topics with great popularity.online

3:33 AM

 
Blogger Muhammad Ashar said...

Appreciate your unusual and at the same time creative way of writing. I like your site very well and continue to do so. I have bookmarked your site.about

4:10 AM

 
Blogger Muhammad Ashar said...

This post is exactly what i am interested. Keep up the good work. We need more good statement. Really i am impressed from this post.visit now

9:17 PM

 
Blogger Muhammad Ashar said...

I wanted to thank you for this great read. I definitely enjoying every little dit of it have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you post.source

11:05 PM

 
Blogger ashishmaihu said...

Wow that was odd. I just wrote an incredibly long comment but after I clicked submit my comment didn’t show up. Grrrr… well I’m not writing all that over again. Anyhow, just wanted to say wonderful blog!
sherwani for grooms

11:16 PM

 
Blogger Unknown said...

Hey this is what Am looking for.
tony stark jacket

4:05 AM

 
Blogger Unknown said...

Download Brian Lara Cricket 2007 Game

Download Need For Speed Most Wanted Game

Download EA Cricket 2012 Game
Very intresting post I like ur website keep it up..!

11:53 PM

 
Blogger Unknown said...

This kind of post is very rare.. its so hard to seek a post like this. very informative and the contents are very Obvious and Concise .I will look more of your post
Indian menswear suits

8:43 PM

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I agree with this article completely, I must thank you for posting such helpful facts. design my logo

2:57 AM

 
Blogger Eliaz Beth said...

Excluding small units, prices in the central region fell 0.6 percent month-on-month, while the non-central region saw prices edge down 0.2 percent. buy instagram likes instantly

12:05 AM

 
Blogger Security Guards said...

This comment has been removed by the author.

2:34 AM

 
Blogger Security Guards said...

I like this concept. I visited your blog for the first time and just been your fan. Keep posting as I am gonna come to read it everyday!
security guard

2:35 AM

 
Blogger Unknown said...

Introducing for the first time in Pakistan, the chance to create your own personal or business website without worrying about costs. We provide professional quality web hosting completely free! Web Hosting In Pakistan

4:51 AM

 
Blogger Unknown said...


FAJ Offers Regular AC Maintenance where you will prevent small problems from becoming bigger problems and ensure optimal performance of your Heating & Ac repair in Dubaithat is why we recommend having the system service twice year.

11:39 PM

 
Blogger Unknown said...

Do not go away if you looking for “dedicated hosting server in Pakistan”. We provides Reliable Windows / Linux managed and unmanaged dedicated servers hosting.

11:04 PM

 
Blogger Unknown said...

Thanks for your kind information and useful working services
Online Masters Degree

11:12 PM

 
Blogger Unknown said...

Softhof provide a verity of Hosting Services In Pakistan, ranging from the Shared Hosting package to high quality Business Hosting and reseller web hosting. Our domain reseller and hosting reseller packages are managed through totally different control panels. For hosting reseller and domain reseller packages there are no minimum deposit

1:54 AM

 
Blogger Unknown said...

Softhof is offering web hosting in Pakistan at cheap price. Our Shared Hosting there is no hidden restriction present. We have our own dedicated servers managed by our staff to ensure 99.99% Uptime. We have Cpanel as a web hosting panel which is the most advanced and rich in features and most used in the world. Our server performance is near 100 % and our server downtime is NIL.

11:01 PM

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

It’s amazing in support of me to truly have a blog site, which will be valuable meant for my knowledge. Thanks admin. MRC SEO consulting

12:50 AM

 
Blogger Unknown said...

Thanks for the entire information you have given here to impart knowledge amongst us?Mark Curry

9:58 PM

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Webitech is one of the best and more reliable company to provide you best and most professional Web Hosting
in dubai. . Our unlimited Web hosting in dubai is meant for clients that are looking for a single or multiple domain hosting under one business hosting plan and one control panel.
Web Hosting in Dubai

2:45 AM

 
Blogger Microhost said...

This comment has been removed by the author.

3:23 AM

 
Blogger Unknown said...

This comment has been removed by the author.

5:38 AM

 
Blogger Unknown said...

This comment has been removed by the author.

9:48 PM

 
Blogger Unknown said...

Great post your given information does help me a lot knowing that you have shared this information here freely.
Web hosting

10:58 PM

 
Blogger charu sharma said...

nice informative...
Best Advertising Agency

12:37 AM

 
Blogger Priyanka said...

Thanks for sharing informative article...
Advertising agency in Hyderabad

3:05 AM

 
Blogger Priyanka said...

Thanks for sharing...
Ad agency| Branding agency

2:03 AM

 
Blogger Creativehighs said...

Thanks for sharing!!
Advertising Agencies in Gurgaon

4:32 AM

 
Blogger reverhomes said...

Thinking of constructing your dream home in Gurgaon? Well, there is no better option one could come across than Rever Homes. When people think of building their dream home they look for the best construction services provider in the industry. And, Rever Homes have left no stone unturned to establish themselves as the pioneers of the construction industry, thus earning the bespoke title of best construction service providers in Gurgaon. It is a name which has become a synonym of reliability and perfection in the field of construction service providers.
best construction company in gurgaon

3:45 AM

 
Blogger L Marco said...

HiTech FM Offers Regular AC Repair Dubai where you will prevent small problems from becoming bigger problems and ensure optimal performance of your Heating & Ac repair in Dubai that is why we recommend having the system service twice a year.

6:21 AM

 
Blogger AlanBarlow said...

One thing everyone needs to keep in mind that everything happens for a reason yes there might be a few different factors but it happens for a specific reason. Just like you will be clicking the link down below to get a custom logo for your business.
logo design

1:57 AM

 
Blogger Amaan said...

Is your cooker Gone bad and you want our service at affordable cost then make a call visit through our website and we will be there in a few minutes to serve you.
Cooking Range Repair in Dubai

11:53 PM

 
Blogger mir said...

this is really a great blog thanks for sharing it with us,
we are always here to design the best websites & logos with a discount also with a guarantee are you interested?
Online Logo Designer

1:47 PM

 
Blogger best digital watch said...

Phenomenal post that you have shared here. I regard your made work aptitudes and all the finding that you have shared here.
sports watch for kids

4:34 AM

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

First I want to tell you that. Thank you for sharing it with us.
I am really happy and impressed to see this blog!
Cheap law essay

5:55 PM

 
Blogger Haris said...

Thank you for sharing it with us.
I am really happy to see this blog.
It is very helpful for me.

Nursing assignment help

4:52 PM

 
Blogger Promark Pvt Ltd said...

It's difficult to come by proficient individuals on this subject, Thank you for this article!
smart classroom solutions
interactive flat panel

6:03 AM

 
Blogger best digital marketing agency in delhi said...

I feel immovably about it and love learning more on this subject. If possible, as you procure capacity, would you mind reviving your blog with more information? It is exceptionally helpful for me.
top digital marketing company
best digital marketing company

5:15 AM

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

This is a unique and useful article.
Thank you for the share.

law dissertation help Uk

1:08 AM

 

Post a Comment

<< Home

 
Google Analytics Alternative