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Microsoft Joins Alibaba to Test New Search Service
14
Oct
Oct
Microsoft and Alibaba testing Etao search engine
As we wrote in one of our previous posts, China's giant eCommerce site Alibaba recently launched a new beta shopping search engine, named Etao.
Microsoft takes part in the test since Etao site combines both Alibaba's shopping search engine and a Chinese version of Bing.
Search results are displayed in several groups : first, Taobao listings, then links to related online forums, and finally informational websites and web search results provided by Bing.
Winhi.net, Microsoft’s new partner in China
Microsoft also recently announced that it teamed up with Shenzhen-based web-hosting and eCommerce site Winhi.net to jointly promote Bing in China.
The one-year strategic agreement makes Winhi.net Bing's exclusive agency in Guangdong.
Microsoft clearly wants to take avantage of Winhi.net's experience in the Chinese eCommerce and online promotion fields. It is important to note that Winhi.net has over 30,000 quality SMS enterprise clients.
Microsoft wants to boost Bing’s market share in China
Even if Baidu outclasses China's search market with a 70% market share, there are some shares to grab for other search engines, notably after Google’s episodes in China.
Indeed, the US search engine's market share fell from 31% in Q1 to 24% in Q2 according to Beijing-based market research firm Analysys International. China’s overall search engine market reached approximately CNY 4.6 billion.
Bing has currently only 2.4% of the market. Will Microsoft’s partnerships with Chinese firms be enough to boost Bing’s market share in China ?
Taobao to launch a shopping search engine
4
Oct
Oct
China's largest online retailer, Taobao, is about to launch a new shopping search engine, named Etao.
Etao, Taobao's new shopping search engine
Taobao, which is part of Alibaba Group, wants to enhance its position as the leading online retail and auction site in China.
According to Beijing research firm Analysys International, Taobao currently holds a 75% share of the online retail market in China.
Even if Taobao specializes in eCommerce, the company has also been developing its own search engine technology.
Last year, Taobao launched a search engine for products being sold on its website. Moreover, Alibaba also recently acquired shares in Sogou search engine.
Search war between Taobao and Baidu continues
The launching of Etao may be seen as a new episode in the search war between Taobao and Baidu.
Analysts say Etao will bring more users to Taobao and will put the eCommerce site in more direct competition with Baidu.
Indeed, a lot of people use Baidu for shopping searches. In 2008, the search engine giant launched its own eCommerce site called Baidu Youa, which only holds 0.11% of the online retail market.
