Microsoft has definitively denied that its Bing search engine takes its cues from its rival. Nonetheless, the Google allegations highlights the challenges Microsoft faces in addressing the "long tail" market in search, or the obscure searches that collectively account for a huge portion of search traffic.
In the latest battle between tech giants Google and Microsoft, Google has accused Microsoft of "cheating" by using Google's search results to improve Bing's. Microsoft says there's nothing wrong with that.
Move over, Michael Jackson. The BP oil spill topped the list of most popular Yahoo searches in 2010, ejecting Jackson -- the hottest search in 2009 -- from the top spot. Other top searches included Miley Cyrus, Lady Gaga, Megan Fox, Justin Bieber and American Idol.
Online advertisers may see up to a 78% price increase in paid-search rates once Yahoo and Microsoft wrap up their search alliance. Cost-per-click will likely rise sharply as advertisers shift to the single Bing search platform.