It was pretty obvious that Rupert Murdoch’s recent announcement that News Corp would prevent its content being indexed by Google was an appeal to other search engines to step up to the plate.  I have half expected other publishers to make their own ‘anti-Google indexing’ announcements but it seems that they are keeping quiet for the time being to see what eventuates.

The FT reported today that News Corp and Microsoft are in ‘discussions’.  Microsoft is determined or desperate to catch up with Google in search, the latter being streets ahead.  Microsoft has made it clear that it will invest heavily to achieve its goals. 

Could Microsoft turn the tide in search through exclusive partnerships with publishers? 

Update: Some interesting perspectives on today’s developments…  

Tom Foremski at SiliconValleyWatcher: Is Murdoch Setting Up a Bidding War for News Corp. Index?

Danny Sullivan at Search Engine Land: Why an Exclusive WSJ Deal Wouldn’t Help Bing

Tags: bing, Google, Microsoft, Murdoch, news, newscorp, Print, Publishing, Search, Yahoo!