14 DAY TRIAL // Most services on the Internet are looking to be included into the Google search engine because it is currently the best search technology in the world, allowing you to find information quick and easy. Although Google is regarded as the most popular company on the Internet, it seems like China is not quite interested in Google, Baidu attracting all the users to its services. Baidu is currently the web search leader in China, helping users to look for information in almost 740 million web pages, 80 million images and 10 million multimedia files as it is mentioned on Wikipedia.
Baidu is now regarded as the China's Google because it provides almost the same functions as the search giant, containing several similar services such as search technologies, pay per click advertising platforms and Baidu Maps, an interesting solution to allow users to view satellite maps although detailed imagery is available only for big cities.
Because many companies, including Google, are now aiming to improve their presence on the Asian market, it seems like they will encounter a serious problem coming from Baidu that is currently the most powerful firm in the area. At this time, the original Google is quite a piece of cake for the giant "Chinese Google" that reported huge profits for the last year.
"The Beijing-based company, known to investors outside China as 'China's Google' which is a bit misleading because Baidu does what Google does but with a bit of Yahoo! and perhaps eBay thrown it. The expected first-quarter revenue of US$34 million to $35 million - shows a growth of 95% to 103%. Q4 net income for the Beijing-based company rose to $15.7 million, up from just $3 million in Q4 last year. That is staggering acceleration," TECH.BLORGE.com reported.
Let's make a quick analysis of the revenues generated by the well known Google and Baidu. The search giant reported almost a 67% revenue increase in the fourth quarter of the year 2006 while Baidu is now aiming for a 103% increase of their profits. I think this simple comparison presents exactly the financial power of the two companies so it's probably safer for Google to stay away from China. At least for the moment...