How an SEO can Prepare for Microhoo, the Microsoft-Yahoo Combo

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The hoopla continues surrounding Microsoft’s bid to buy out Yahoo for $34 billion. Google is doing everything in its power to stop the deal from happening and with good reason. I’m not saying that Google would be in danger of being overtaken, but a Microsoft-Yahoo combo could potentially do a lot of damage in eating away at Google’s supreme market share. Combine Microsoft’s dominance in PC desktop applications, the resources they have at their disposal, and Yahoo’s top Internet brand, and you finally have a force that can take Google head on in online search.

Despite all of the drama regarding this issue on both sides, I think this move will benefit the search industry in the long-term.
Increased competition leads to more innovation and ultimately a better user experience for everyone involved with the Internet. Not too much will change in terms of SEO, but every search marketer and online business owner should pay attention and prepare for the coming of Microhoo.

How an SEO can Prepare for Microhoo

• Keep your focus on Google
  Let’s get this straight. Even with Microsoft buying up Yahoo, Google isn’t going anywhere in the near future. I can foresee a lot of inexperienced SEO’s changing their focus to Yahoo/MSN because they think it will soon take over. Not only is this unlikely but Microhoo is still unproven. For now, focus your efforts on Google no matter what happens between Yahoo and Microsoft.
• Pay more attention to Yahoo
  When/if Microsoft buys Yahoo, it’s likely that MSN will phase out Live Search in favor of Yahoo’s more advanced technology. That will give Microhoo a market share of over 30%, making it a search engine that cannot be ignored. Get an early start by paying more attention to Yahoo now.
• Disregard MSN
  As always, ignore MSN and Live Search unless you’re receiving a good amount of traffic from them or if you’re taking advantage of their algorithm (mostly thin affiliate sites). Once Microsoft combines with Yahoo, search will probably favor the methodology used by Yahoo.
• Take Ask more seriously
  Ask is like the Ross Perot of search engines. It has no chance of being the leading winner, but can significantly affect the outcome of the entire search landscape. The merging of Microsoft and Yahoo will leave only 2 big players, creating a void for another search engine to step in. Ask is the likely candidate and will increase its market share in the process. Pay attention to Ask and see where you stand in its rankings at the very least.

In general, SEO won’t change much as an immediate result of a Yahoo buyout by Microsoft. However, it’s good to be prepared because the long-term implications for search are huge. How will you react if Microsoft does in fact buy Yahoo?

Aaron, Loren, and Rand offer commentary on this issue as well.