Click image above for a larger view. Comscore has released its May search market share numbers (prior data through April is here).
Key points: Google and Yahoo edged higher in search share to 61.8% and 20.4%, respectively. That’s the first up month for Yahoo this year.
Microsoft dropped from 9.1% to 8.5% for the month. It’s important to note that Microsoft’s new Cash Back search program didn’t go live until May 22, so it will be interesting to see how they do next month.
Search volume is increasing rapidly – about 18% per year. Notes from a report by J.P. Morgan’s Imran Khan:
- According to the data, total US core search volume increased 16% Y/Y in May vs. 18% Y/Y growth in April. Thus far in 2Q, comScore shows17% Y/Y growth in total US core searches vs. 18% Y/Y growth in 1Q.
- Google domestic core search market share increased to 61.8% in May from 61.6% in April. Thus far in 2Q, Google domestic core search volume was up 29% Y/Y vs. a 31% increase in 1Q.
- Yahoo domestic core search market share increased to 20.6% in May from 20.4% in April. Thus far in 2Q, Yahoo! domestic core search volume was down 2% Y/Y, consistent with 1Q performance.
- MSN domestic core search market share declined to 8.5% in May from 9.1% in April. Thus far in 2Q, MSN domestic core search volume was up 7% Y/Y, slightly below 1Q’s 9% Y/Y growth.
- AOL May domestic core search market share declined to 4.5% from 4.6% in April. Thus far in 2Q, AOL domestic core search volume was down 2% Y/Y vs. 1% growth in 1Q.
- Ask Network domestic core search market share increased slightly to 4.5% in May from 4.3% in April. Thus far in 2Q, Ask Network domestic core search volume was up 9% Y/Y vs. an 11% Y/Y increase in
1Q.