Microsoft's Live Search was the only search provider to gain market share in June, but still trails Google and Yahoo!, with less than a fifth of Google's share. However, according to Microsoft numbers, 60% of Internet searchers use multiple search engines, and 30% of searchers use Live Search from time to time.

Live Search has gained new users by finding new ways to penetrate the Web search market, which strategically positions Google and Yahoo! on the defensivean unusual posture these days for the pioneering Google. Making Live Search a household name by spreading it across the Internet in different channels is the foundation for creating a loyal user base.

Microsoft's senior VP Satya Nadella acknowledged that they were not there in the beginning of this Web search story, we missed it, but we are getting back into the game in a major way. By not being one of the first movers, brand recognition was stunted, but the following excerpt from Intelligent Enterprise analyzes the actions Microsoft is using to intrude the Web search market.

Live Search gaining search share at the expense of Yahoo and Google in June. A recent promotion called Live Search Club that rewards users with ringtones, t-shirts and copies of Windows Vista may have helped bolster Live Search, but one month does not a watershed make.(read more)