Barney's Blog

Blog archive

Microsoft and Monopoly: This Time, Google/Yahoo Is the Culprit

\Alanis Morrissette made the word "ironic" famous in her song "Isn't It Ironic?" Well, Microsoft may be the black fly in Google and Yahoo's chardonnay as Redmond is trying to get the U.S. Congress to put the kibosh on the Google/Yahoo ad deal. According to Microsoft, the deal would create a monopoly in Web ads, as the duo would control some 90 percent of the market.

Here's the ironic(al) part. Microsoft has been trying to buy Yahoo and ultimately wants to corner that same market. And what kind of share does Microsoft have in desktop operating systems, productivity suites and browsers? Isn't that ironic, don't you think?

What do you think? Shoot your thoughts, ironic or not, to [email protected].

Posted by Doug Barney on July 16, 2008


Featured

  • Microsoft Offers Support Extensions for Exchange 2016 and 2019

    Microsoft has introduced a paid Extended Security Update (ESU) program for on-premises Exchange Server 2016 and 2019, offering a crucial safety cushion as both versions near their Oct. 14, 2025 end-of-support date.

  • An image of planes flying around a globe

    2025 Microsoft Conference Calendar: For Partners, IT Pros and Developers

    Here's your guide to all the IT training sessions, partner meet-ups and annual Microsoft conferences you won't want to miss.

  • Notebook

    Microsoft Centers AI, Security and Partner Dogfooding at MCAPS

    Microsoft's second annual MCAPS for Partners event took place Tuesday, delivering a volley of updates and directives for its partners for fiscal 2026.

  • Microsoft Layoffs: AI Is the Obvious Elephant in the Room

    As Microsoft doubles down on an $80 billion bet on AI this fiscal year, its workforce reductions are drawing scrutiny over whether AI's ascent is quietly reshaping its human capital strategy, even as official messaging avoids drawing a direct line.