Microsoft to pay for news content exclusivity on Bing
Microsoft has offered to pay newspaper groups including News Corp to remove content from Google and Yahoo in return for exclusivity on Bing, according to reports.
The deal would mean sites such as The Wall Street Journal and Times Online blocking rival search engines from indexing their news content, meaning it could only be found on Microsoft’s fledgling property.
Microsoft is hoping the proposal will appeal to newspapers which are increasingly looking for new revenues streams.
Last week Times editor James Harding confirmed Times Online will start charging for content in the spring (nma.co.uk 18 November 2009).
Microsoft is increasingly looking to offer unique services and content on the platform to differentiate Bing from Google.
Bing rolled out in full in the UK earlier this month after soft launching in June.
This story first appeared on newmediaage.co.uk
