Microsoft has nabbed search share from Google and Yahoo to grab a fifth of the total desktop web search market in the U.S., according to a report released by ComScore today. Bing’s share of the American search market rose to 20.1 percent, putting it in second place behind Google, which still controls the overwhelming majority of desktop search with 64.4 percent of the U.S. market.
It’s a positive sign for Microsoft, especially since the search market seemed to be largely stagnant in 2014. This year is shaping up to be a bit more interesting, though, with Yahoo picking up share thanks to its deal to become the default search provider in Firefox.
Of course, this report only shows part of the picture. Mobile search on smartphones and tablets is a growing market, and one that’s not showcased in these figures. Google has an advantage in that realm, because of its control of Android. Windows Phone, on the other hand, is struggling to find adoption, though Bing does power Siri, Apple’s virtual assistant for iOS.
There’s likely going to be a new battleground opening up for search companies in the future, too. Apple’s deal making Google the default search provider for the iPhone is set to expire soon, and that means there’s an opening for another company like Yahoo or Microsoft to step in and take the default search provider role.
