Part 5: Search Engine History from 2012-2015. Google’s Continued Dominance, Bing’s Rise, and Yahoo’s Demise
To start, it’s important to understand the context of the times. The late 2000s and early 2010s saw a major shift in the way people used the internet. Social media sites like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, were growing at an unprecedented rate, and smartphones were becoming the primary way people accessed the web.
The evolution of search engines from 2012 to 2015 was marked by major shifts in the industry, with Microsoft, Yahoo, and Google. These companies pushed the limits of search technology, resulting in improved user experiences and increased profits.
Google, one of the largest tech companies in the world, has a rich history of innovation and growth. From 2012 to 2015, the company continued to dominate the search engine market and expanded its reach into new areas of technology. In 2012, Google made significant improvements to its search algorithms, resulting in faster and more accurate search results. The company also launched Google Now, an intelligent personal assistant that provided users with relevant information such as weather updates and traffic reports. Google’s dominance in the search engine market was further solidified in 2013 with the release of Google Glass, a wearable technology that allowed users to search the web hands-free. Google Glass was a hit among tech-savvy consumers and helped cement Google’s position as the go-to search engine for many people.
In addition to its search engine, Google was also expanding its reach into the mobile market. In 2012, the company released its first Android-powered smartphone, the Nexus 4. The Nexus 4 was well received by consumers and marked a significant step forward for Google in the mobile market. The company continued to release new Android-powered smartphones and tablets over the next several years, solidifying its position as a major player in the mobile market. Nexus 4s default search engine was, you guessed it, Google Search. Today, Android is the most popular operating system in the world with over 2.8 billion users spanning 190 countries. In 2013, Google continued to push the limits of technology. The company launched Project Loon, a network of high-altitude balloons that provided internet access to remote and underserved areas around the world. Project Loon was a major step forward in expanding internet access and improving the lives of people in underdeveloped countries. Project Loon was discontinued in 2018.
By 2014, Google had reached new heights in terms of market share and revenue. The company controlled nearly 80% of the search engine market and its advertising revenue surpassed $50 billion. To maintain its dominance, Google made major investments in artificial intelligence and machine learning. The company acquired DeepMind Technologies, a cutting-edge AI research company, and launched Google DeepMind, an AI platform designed to advance the state-of-the-art in machine learning and artificial intelligence. In 2015, Google’s commitment to innovation was further demonstrated by the launch of Google Photos, a cloud-based photo storage and management service. Google Photos was a hit among consumers and quickly gained millions of users. The service allowed users to store and manage their photos in the cloud, freeing up valuable storage space on their devices. Today, Google Photos is regarded as the best cloud based storage option for pictures.
By the end of 2015, Google’s dominance in the tech industry was undeniable. The company controlled nearly 80% of the search engine market, was a major player in the mobile market, and was making significant investments in cutting-edge technology such as artificial intelligence and machine learning.
In Summary
In conclusion, the history of Google from 2012 to 2015 was marked by significant advancements and growth. The company continued to dominate the search engine market, expanded its reach into the mobile market, and made major investments in cutting-edge technology. Google’s commitment to innovation and its ability to quickly adapt to new technologies has made it one of the most successful tech companies in the world.
The history of Microsoft from 2012 to 2015 was a time of a major transition for the company as it shifted from its traditional PC-centric focus to a more device and services-oriented approach. During this period, Microsoft saw both challenges and opportunities as it tried to stay ahead of the curve in an increasingly fast-paced tech landscape.
2012 marked the start of a new era for Microsoft, with the launch of Windows 8 and the first Surface tablet. Windows 8 was Microsoft’s attempt to bring a modern and touch-friendly interface to the PC, and it represented a significant change from previous versions of Windows. The Surface tablet, on the other hand, was Microsoft’s first foray into the tablet market, and it aimed to take on the iPad head-on.
However, the initial response to Windows 8 and the Surface was mixed. While many praised the touch-centric interface, others found it confusing and difficult to use. And while the Surface was well-received for its hardware design and build quality, it struggled to gain traction in the highly competitive tablet market then dominated by Apple.
Despite these challenges, Microsoft continued to push forward, with the release of Windows 8.1 in 2013 and the introduction of the Surface Pro 2. Windows 8.1 addressed many of the criticisms of its predecessor, and it added new features such as the ability to boot directly to the desktop and the introduction of more customization options. The Surface Pro 2, meanwhile, improved on the original Surface Pro, offering better performance and longer battery life.
in 2014, Microsoft made two major announcements that would shape its future. First, it acquired Nokia’s mobile phone division, in a move that signaled Microsoft’s intention to become a major player in the smartphone market. And second, it revealed its plans to bring the full power of Windows to a new generation of devices, including phones and tablets, with the launch of Windows 10. Windows 10 released in 2015, and it marked a major departure from Windows 8. It brought back the Start menu, which had been missing in Windows 8, and it introduced new features such as Cortana, Microsoft’s virtual assistant, and Continuum, which allowed users to switch between desktop and tablet modes. Windows 10 also represented a more coherent vision for Microsoft, with a single operating system that would work across all devices, from desktop PCs to smartphones.
In addition to these major product launches, Microsoft also made several strategic acquisitions during this period, including the purchase of Minecraft, the popular sandbox game, and the acquisition of the popular email app, Acompli. These acquisitions demonstrated Microsoft’s commitment to expanding its reach into new markets and building a more comprehensive ecosystem of devices and services.
In Summary
During this period, Microsoft’s financial performance remained strong, with its stock price rising from around $27 in 2012 to over $50 in 2015. The company’s revenue and profits continued to grow, and it remained one of the most valuable tech companies in the world. In conclusion, the period from 2012 to 2015 was a time of significant change and transition for Microsoft. Despite some challenges along the way, the company continued to push forward, with the launch of new products and services, and the acquisition of new businesses. Today, Microsoft is a more diverse and dynamic company, with a range of products and services that reach far beyond the PC, and it remains a major player in the tech industry.
In the face of this change, Yahoo found itself struggling to keep up with the times. While it had once been the go-to destination for millions of users, it was now facing increasing competition from new, nimbler startups. In 2012, Yahoo was still one of the biggest names in the tech world, but its stock price had been declining for years, and its core business was under threat. The company had long relied on its search engine and advertising revenue, but as people spent more time on social media and mobile devices, that revenue was starting to dry up.
Marissa Mayer was appointed as CEO of Yahoo in July 2012. Mayer was a rising star at Google, she brought with her a wealth of experience in technology and a reputation for innovation. In her first few months on the job, Mayer made several big moves that signaled a new direction for the company. She acquired several startups, including the popular blogging platform Tumblr, and launched a major redesign of the Yahoo homepage.
Despite these initial successes, Mayer faced several challenges in her first few years at the helm. One of the biggest was the decline of the search engine business, which had been the core of Yahoo’s revenue for years. In 2012, Yahoo’s share of the search market was under 7%, down from 20% just a few years before. This decline was due in part to the rise of Google, which now controlled over two-thirds of the search market, but also to the increasing popularity of mobile devices and social media. To combat the decline of its search business, Mayer launched several initiatives aimed at improving Yahoo’s search results and making them more relevant to users. Even though Yahoo! was still utilizing the more popular Bing as it’s search results, Yahoo was unable to reverse its downward trend.
Despite these efforts, Yahoo’s search business continued to decline, and by 2014, the company was facing mounting pressure to find a new source of revenue. This issue led Mayer to focus more on mobile, an area where she believed the company had a major opportunity to grow. Under her leadership, Yahoo acquired a number of mobile-focused startups, including the popular news aggregator Summly, and launched a number of new mobile apps, including a weather app and a news app.
These efforts paid off, and by 2015, Yahoo’s mobile business was starting to grow. The company’s mobile revenue was up over 80% year-over-year, and it was seeing strong growth in its mobile advertising business. However, despite this success, the company was still facing major challenges. Its search business continued to decline, and its stock price was still well below where it had been just a few years before.
In the end, Yahoo’s history between 2012 and 2015 was marked by a series of ups and downs. Mayer’s efforts to turn the company around had some successes, but they were ultimately not enough to prevent Yahoo from facing a decline in the years that followed. Despite her best efforts, the company’s search business continued to decline, and it struggled to compete with newer, more nimble players in the tech world.
In Summary
Thistory of Yahoo between 2012 and 2015 was marked by a period of change and transformation. Despite facing major challenges, the company’s CEO, Marissa Mayer, was able to make some important strides in the mobile space and help the company to remain relevant in an ever-changing tech landscape. However, the decline of the search business and the increasing competition from newer players would ultimately prove too much for Yahoo to overcome. Even so, the company’s legacy will continue to shape the tech world for years to come.
In Conclusion
the history of search engines from 2012 to 2015 was marked by significant advancements and improvements. Microsoft, Yahoo, and Google all played a role in pushing the limits of search technology, resulting in faster, more accurate, and more personalized search results. While Google maintained its dominance in the market, Bing made strides and established themselves as strong players in the industry. Yahoo! Although attempting to penetrate new markets and innovate continued to decline in market share and profits. The continued innovation and competition in the search engine market has undoubtedly benefited users, and it will be interesting to see what the future holds for these companies and the search industry as AI is implemented.
Interesting Developments in 2023
Bing was the first to implement AI functionality into its search engine, Google is chasing them with the introduction of “Bard”. So far, I must say, I like the layout and UI of the Bing AI search much more than Bard. Moving forward I hope the AI driven search engines will cite the sources referenced in the answers, a feature neither have so far. In my opinion, this is going to lead to a multitude of questions over the AI generated content being plagiarized. As a writer, if we reference someone else’s content, it is common practice to cite that source and give them credit. I agree with the majority and believe AI should be held to the same standard.
