Google's deal with Yahoo Japan comes under fire

By: Mediarun Search

 

Search engine optimisation has definitely matured and SEO agency is much more sophisticated about the website optimisation techniques they use to promote their clients' wares. What's more the proliferation of search engine marketing qualifications is testament to the industry's power.

But there are other markers that show search engine optimisation for what it is – an extremely cost effective means of engaging with millions of potential customers. One of those is the big business wrangling that takes place as the major search engine players buddy-up.

The most unlikely of partnerships are being created around the globe as major players on the search engine marketing scene realise that there is more money to be made if they work together. But, as search engines consolidate, the number of legal challenges to their data-serving supremacy increases.

The latest case has been filed in Japan, where Google and Yahoo recently announce that they were set to tie the SEO knot, so to speak. The announcement came as a mighty blow to Microsoft, who up until then was the exclusive provider of third-party search engine technology to Yahoo. But it seems that other organisations – not just Microsoft - are unhappy with the partnership, which will undoubtedly cement Google's place as the first port of call when it comes to search engine optimisation in the country. Japan's biggest e-commerce firm, Rakuten, said: "The tie-up between the two firms would result in Google monopolising information, which could hinder the development and growth of not only search engines but many internet-related services in Japan. "We are calling on people to join the debate and ask again whether this [deal] is really appropriate."

It's hardly surprising that Rakuten is up in arms about Google's domination of the online sphere – particularly when it is not just search engines that the firm is looking to get rid of. Google's competition hit-list reads like a who's who of top businesses, with eBay, Amazon and Facebook featuring prominently. And if Google is happy to take on the biggest online retailers, it can surely force smaller players – no matter how big they are – out of the limelight.

If the challenge is successful, then Google's penetration in Japan could be hindered. This could alter SEO in the country, but could also pave the way for legal challenges elsewhere.

 

About the Author

Mediarun is a SEO agency in London providing search engine optimisation, pay per click advertising, search engine marketing and social media services to clients with quality traffic.

(ArticlesBase SC #3518670)

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/ - Google's deal with Yahoo Japan comes under fire