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Google gains ground on Baidu in China-Study
(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-01-19 09:55
U.S. Internet search giant Google is gaining on local rival Baidu in the race
to dominate the fast-growing Chinese search engine market, according to a
research firm's survey.
The study, conducted by Internet performance research firm Keynote Systems,
bodes well for Google, which has made major moves to set up in China, the
world's second-biggest online market with 120 million users.
Google's Chinese site came out on top in 11 out of 13 categories, including
general, news and image searches, and more consumers saw Google's search results
as relevant, according to the survey, released on Wednesday.
The monthlong survey of 1,200 Chinese Web users rated usage on Google, Baidu,
Sohu.com Inc.'s Sogou, and e-marketplace specialist Alibaba, which is 40 percent
owned by Yahoo.
Baidu declined to comment on the report. Google, which owns 2.6 percent of
Baidu, could not be reached for comment.
Baidu and Google were about even in customer preference, despite Baidu's
brand recognition and market advantages in Asia, where it commands more than
one-third of all traffic among China's over 100 million Web surfers, Keynote
said.
Baidu is facing growing competition from both domestic and international
players, which have all made major moves in a bid to reap profits and growth
similar to Google.
EBay has invested $180 million in Shanghai-based EachNet. InterActiveCorp
paid $168 million for 52 percent of Chinese online travel agent eLong.
Online retailer Amazon.com purchased Joyo.com for $75 million, and job search
provider Monster.com paid $50 million for a 40 percent stake in ChinaHR.com.
Google was down 3.3 percent at $451.58 per share and Baidu was down 2.8
percent at $62.93 in mid-day trading on the New York Stock Exchange, following
on Tuesday night's weak results reported by Yahoo, which dragged down other
technology companies as well.
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