Europe 'central' to Microsoft's search success

18th June 2008

A new research centre in Europe is to be a key part of Microsoft's search business development, the software giant has said.

The company has announced the new Search Technology Centre is to open on the continent next year, designed to accelerate Microsoft's investment in Live Search.

Coming after the firm's recent announcement that a new cashback scheme would offer cash rebates to customers who made purchases derived from Live Search, the centre is said to represent Microsoft's commitment to localised research.

"Searchers have different expectations and experiences in every geography in the world," said Satya Nadella, senior vice-president of Microsoft's search, portal and advertising group.

The professional also said that Microsoft wanted to ensure that local expertise was driving research and development activity by investing heavily in multiple markets.

Following a recent search ad deal between Yahoo! and Google, Microsoft has raised concerns about the level of competition in the market and now says that the new European centre is to "disrupt" the sector.