Receiving a “relatively” significant sum from Google, Adobe Systems has become the official distributor of Google’s Web search tool.
Adobe has announced that it has begun providing Google’s search software to customers using its Shockwave multimedia software package.
This information has also been confirmed by the multimedia application developer on the company’s official website. The agreement with Google replaces a similar deal between Adobe and Yahoo from October 2004.
This agreement, along with several other similar arrangements for pre-installing Google’s search software alongside third-party products, marks a shift in the Web search market. This demonstrates that Google is ready to share advertising revenue with partners to gain a larger audience and bring about more intense competition in the global search market.
Under the agreement, users will receive a free version of the Google Toolbar Web Search when they download Adobe’s Shockwave product for Internet Explorer.
“We are excited to partner with Adobe to bring our latest search features to Adobe’s customers and explore other collaboration opportunities between our two companies,” Google stated.
Countering Microsoft…
Google is currently initiating a race to secure contract agreements with computer and software manufacturers to ensure the easiest access to its search software before the launch of Windows Vista.
Microsoft plans to make its MSN search system the default search engine in Vista. Google will not have a presence in Vista, which threatens Google’s dominance in the search market. This has prompted Google to push Yahoo out in order to secure a partnership with Adobe.
“Adobe’s popularity and the accessibility of its technology provide Google with access to a large customer base,” said Adobe’s CEO Shantanu Narayen in a statement.
The Shockwave application is used on approximately 55% of internet-enabled computer systems, according to Adobe. “We hope that our collaboration with Google will generate additional revenue for Adobe in the coming years,” Narayen added.
The financial terms of this agreement have not been disclosed.
Last month, Google also reached an agreement with leading computer manufacturer Dell to pre-install Google’s search tool on Dell’s product systems.
Still the Leader
Google’s market share in search increased by 1% last month to 44.1%, marking a 6.6% increase compared to the same period last year. Meanwhile, Yahoo holds a market share of only 27.9%, while Microsoft stands at 12.9%.
Hoàng Dũng
