According to figures released by Hitwise, Google’s share of the U.S. search market increased to 72.07 percent in December 2008, from 71.97 percent in November, and 65.98 percent in December 2007.

Yahoo’s share also increased slightly from 17.70 percent in November to 17.79 percent last month, but is still significantly below its 20.88 percent share a year ago. Microsoft’s share also grew slightly – from 5.45 percent in November to 5.56 percent in December. But this, too, was below its 7.04 percent share of a year ago.

The gains achieved by Google, Yahoo and Microsoft seem to have come at the expense of Ask.com. Ask had a 3.15 share of the U.S. search engine market in December 2008, down from 3.35 percent in November, and less than its 4.14 percent in December 2007.

All in all, Google increased its market share by a significant margin in 2008. Based on Hitwise’s numbers, Google accounted for 69.48 percent of all U.S. searches in 2008, higher than its 61.48 percent share in 2007.

Source: Eric Savitz, “Google Again Gains U.S. Search Share, ” Barrons, January 12, 2009

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