Yahoo’s new algorithm has surprised me, lots of good clean up done there. I’m seeing more sites who place top 3 on Google now making it to top 10 on Yahoo. Both sites have swayed so far a part within the SEO scope, it’s sometimes difficult for small business to rank well on Google and retain that same element on Yahoo. This recent improvement has actually brought them closer to Google as well.

I concur however, Google is “brand search” – Yahoo nor Live can compete with it. Blockbuster films, prime time TV etc are utilizing the term “Google” comfortably in their scripts. I also don’t see anyone outside of the “web industry” worried whether Google or Live is giving them better results, it’s just a matter of who gets in the front of the consumer when he/she needs something.

I’m still in shock when I go to clients offices, and they open up a browser window – see MSN.com then type in google.com to check their rankings. I would be more concerned about relative results and search competition if the search industry were my precise demographics – but if they were, there would be no reason to not throw a hefty budget on Google’s lap. But the Search Industry is just a small part of the broad scope, and I can list you 40 people on my AIM/MSN/Yahoo list that wouldn’t care what came up first or last on either search engine for “coca cola” they just do what the other cool people do, and Google.

I am happy about the 2 engines moving toward better search. They won’t beat Google, but they sure will give users better results, which means more money for sites that deserve it.