Yahoo China Testing Niche Markets?

[AussieWebmaster]

The move of Yahoo China to develop as a finance/business search engine is interesting. Could it be a test market for future global shifts?

It is not that far fetched an idea. Yahoo China is number two in this market - one with major potential but not huge numbers right now. Yahoo has been know for giving away international search - but their efforts lately have been shrewd. The acquisition of Terespondo, the growth of International PPC into India and other moves have shown some well thought out plans.

[Discovery]

Heck Aussie, from a look into my PPC stats I thought Yahoo had partnered up with China years ago! SHANGHAI must have one heck of a profitable YPN account.

I think certainly SE's are trying to build in-roads to foreign markets and China is a huge target. My thought is how will Y! deal with the negative PR associated with working with and creating huge profits for a communist party that represses its people and in some circles is not necessarily a "good friend" of the U.S. I know many U.S. companies do business with China, but Google does not (or can't) and this could generate a controversy for Yahoo.

I think they should target more PR friendly markets first.

Discovery

[AussieWebmaster]

Actually Google is in there boots and all.... they own about 5% of Baidu - China's largest engine.