Baidu and Microsoft may expand their partnership to offer English-language search results from Microsoft’s Bing search engine for queries on Baidu made in English, according to an industry source cited byMarbridge Consulting.
Baidu senior VP Haoyu Shen toldBloombergthat the two companies “won’t rule out” expanding on their existing collaboration, but refused to reveal other details. This partnership may be Baidu’s catalyst to speed up its overseas expansion. It seems like the Chinese search giant is ready to challenge Google in foreign lands, after the Beijing-based company overcame competition from Google to dominate in China.
Shen adds that Baidu is developing products in 12 foreign languages, without giving any indication when they will be rolled out. While it isunlikelythat Baidu is going to be a “Google-killer,” having substantial experience in providing search and other online services will certainly make it a force to be reckoned with.
According to another industry source, Microsoft and Shanghai MSN Network Communications Technology will be responsible for operating Bing in China.
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Baidu holds a 75.8 percent market share in China, while Microsoft Bing has less than 1 percent, according to research company Analysys International.
Baidu currentlyranks 29thin The World’s Top 100 Brands.
Story byFrancis Tan
Francis Tan is the Asia editor of TNW, who is based in the Philippines. He is particularly interested in Asian Internet startups, social me(show all)Francis Tanis the Asia editor of TNW, who is based in the Philippines. He is particularly interested in Asian Internet startups, social media and e-commerce. Get in touch with him via Twitter@francistanor Emailfrancis@thenextweb.com.
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