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Microsoft search head to leave as battle against Google and Yahoo intensifies
Microsoft's head of web search is believed to be leaving the US software company to start his own business, at a time when rivals including Google and Yahoo are upping the ante in the search market.According to Microsoft sources, who have insisted on anonymity, Christopher Payne will leave and begin his own firm in Seattle.
The move comes at a time when Microsoft is struggling to compete against its arch-rival in the search sector, Google.
Bill Gates' company managed to improve its position in February, increasing its share of the search sector from eight to nine per cent, website Compete reports, but this is still far behind market leader Google, which has 63 per cent, and Yahoo, which has a 21 per cent share.
Analysts believe that Microsoft's new Vista operating software will help with the development of its Live search service.
Payne rejoined Microsoft after spending three years at online retailer Amazon, where he managed to persuade the firm to develop its own search engine.
Small businesses can take advantage of the strong search market by using link building.
Microsoft News posted on 09 March 2007
