Google increases US search share

More than four out of 10 web searches conducted in the US are now done using the Google search engine, figures show.

Google's share rose to 42% in February, up 6% on the same month in 2005, while rival Yahoo saw a 4% drop to 27%, according to tracking firm ComScore.

Usage of MSN's search engine fell by 3% to 13% said ComScore, while Ask had a 1% rise to 6%.

In a separate report, analysts Merrill Lynch said Google's advertising revenues was expected to rise.

The Merrill Lynch report said: "We expect Google's increased market share in search queries, and better monetisation of queries to lead to increased share of ad dollars relative to its competitors."

A report by RBC Capital Markets said Google could go on to capture a 70% market share.

It said: "The question really comes down to how long it could take."

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/4857764.stm