Google, Microsoft Arms

Google seems to feel the attack its happily avoided for a while: a competitor is following suit. Google complained recently that the Internet Explorer Version 7 was unfair as it automatically set the default browser to MSN Search. Sound familiar? Just how unfair is this practice? Shouldn't a user be able to open his browser and search immediately, rather than take additional time and steps to set a browser for the first search? People want things and they want them now and they want them easy. What's easier than setting a default browser for the consumer?

Google has cried foul to US and European authorities, though now word on official filings as of yet. Yahoo and Microsoft are calling Google's bluff. Google has set numerous browsers to default to Google Search, some without offering additional options. Mozilla, Firefox, Opera Web browsers and now a new contract with Dell computers was bought to offer Google browsers standard on some computers shows Google is not above paying for a default position. Microsoft embedded its MSN search engine standard into its own browser. Is there a need to point fingers?

This isn't the first blow these two SE monsters have dealt one another, it won't be the last. The real questions seem to be:

Will Google get far with these accusations or are they just causing noise?

Any publicity is good publicity and with Google crying foul its gaining the spotlight when competitor Microsoft should be dazzling. With Microsoft's acquisition of the Amazon A9 system (formerly run by Google) and the new Internet Explorer Version 7 being released Microsoft has plenty to brag about. But somehow Google is the topic on everyone's mind.

What will Google do now?

Some report the IE7 default to MSN is a huge blow to Google. But is it really? "Googling" has now replaced the terms searching or querying in many a vocabulary. With such an absolute presence will this one "blow" really be felt or is it another case of good publicity?

Personally, Google should focus more on its copyright infringement cases and stocks more so than a single defaulted browser. But they didn't ask me for some reason. I don't think this is going to hurt Google as much as some of the other things being done. Google needs to preserve its "honest" image to overcome the sticky, money grubbing corporate image its beginning to reflect.

Google, stay the search engine of choice and keep the people happy. Focus on that and keep your money making schemes a little less open. Many people don't know a lot more than they enjoy using Google search because they are comfortable with it. The IE7 default can be changed; if it's too difficult with its 4 step process people will continue typing www.Google.com into the browser.

But I think Google knows that already. Again, any publicity is good publicity. It's even better when you can steal the spotlight from a competitor while you're at it. Bravo, Google. Mr. Gates, the move is yours.

Kristen Owen is the composer of this blog. To reach her with questions or comments, please feel free at Blog@ContentWorth.com.