So, the Enquirer that is the interweb is abuzz about the prospect of Microsoft purchasing Yahoo! Personally, I see it as a lame attempt by Microsoft to, in very simple terms, gain ground on Google in the search and advertising market. Put aside all the fluff about how the acquisition would advance the goals of openness, innovation and the protection of privacy on the Internet (paraphrased from Microsoft's response to Google's questioning the proposal); Microsoft is losing the war when it comes to the multi-billion dollar search advertising game, and they know it.
What's even more interesting is how Google views the potential partnership/purchase. To wit (click the link above to see the full posting from Google): "Could the acquisition of Yahoo! allow Microsoft -- despite its legacy of serious legal and regulatory offenses -- to extend unfair practices from browsers and operating systems to the Internet?" Pretty harsh words, and not unexpected, especially since Microsoft cried "Foul!" when Google bought Double-Click. However, is Google really living it's "do no evil" mantra true? See this story that broke in the Wall Street Journal today: "Google could potentially offer money, or guaranteed revenue in return for a Yahoo advertising outsourcing pact" said folks familiar with the discussions.
So, Google spreads some decent FUD regarding Microsoft's acquisition bid from one end of the Googleplex, but extends the proverbial olive branch to Yahoo! from the other end - it's all good, folks, we're just trying to help our brethren out; loan them some cash with a reasonable interest rate (we don't expect to gain anything on this deal) to keep them on their feet, keep them viable, protect their brand, and further our own desire to protect the world from the beasts in Redmond. Do no evil, hell - Google does nothing but.
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