How Microsoft can cripple Google

Could a simple design tweak to Facebook
spell the end of Google's Search Domination?

Microsoft has always been about partnerships, and they have an ally waiting in the wings that could destroy their biggest threat.

Facebook already uses Bing to power its web searches, but it's hidden within the interface.  You need to perform a search, and then scroll down the options on the left to select "web results".  This is too difficult for the average consumer to discover, and too many steps to replace the familiarity and comfort of a typical Google search.

The solution is simple.  All Facebook has to do is add a “Search the Web Bar” to its interface.  Game over.  This replaces the need to ever leave the Facebook environment and reduces the number of steps each consumer needs to make.  Consumers will realize this quickly, and will no longer need to go to Google.

With Google’s Search accounting for 90% of its revenue, the Facebook + Microsoft partnership has the potential to put a serious dent in its cash flow, leaving Google with significantly less cash to branch out and invest into other areas; areas where Google threatens to overturn long-held Microsoft monopolies.

Source: http://www.businessinsider.com/chart-of-the-day-microsoft-operating-income-by-division-2010-2

Microsoft’s biggest revenue generators are its flagship product, Windows, and its productivity software, Office.  While no competitor can even shake a stick at Microsoft’s market share in either space, Google Docs adoption has been growing at an insane rate and I expect Chrome OS to follow suit when it is officially launched.  Removing the typical barrier to try new software, cost, it is only a matter of time until each of these products reaches “good enough” status to see more widespread adoption.  By devastating Google’s Search business, Microsoft could delay, if not keep that day from happening.

Facebook Search powered by Bing is coup for Microsoft because they automatically add hundreds of millions of users to Bing’s low market share, grab a piece of the social search revolution that’s coming, and devastate its biggest competitor to its flagship products.  Now they need to convince Facebook to make a simple design tweak, so soon after their major profile revamp.