Microsoft Search Share May Have Stopped Falling

MarketWatch this morning cites a Bear Stearns analyst's report as providing statistics showing usage share of global online searches actually grew a tenth of a point, to 10.6% from 10.5%. If the analyst's figures are confirmed, this would mark the end of a twelve-month slump for MSN and Live Search.

Microsoft runs the world's #3 search engine behind Google and Yahoo, but it's a distant third place. Recent reports from all three major statisticians -- HitWise, Nielsen/NetRatings, and comScore Networks -- throughout last year showed the gulf between Yahoo and MSN widening. Early indications from the analyst's report appear to signal a turnaround not only for Microsoft, but also for AOL and Ask.com.