Microsoft sets its sights on 40% market share

According to reports from Reuters, Kevin Johnson, Microsoft’s platform and services president, believes the company can gain a 40% share of the search market in the next 3-5 years. This is an ambitious target by anyone’s standards with Google holding a 80% market share at present it is difficult to see how they can achieve this from their own 6% hold at the moment.  Apparently they have a “10,20,30,40” plan suggesting this will be a slow build rather than a quick win. It certainly suggests they may be looking at acquisition to help them gain some share, perhaps a purchase of yahoo, and maybe even ask as this would tip them over the double figures mark and make the deficit a lot smaller. It could be a very interesting few years for the market if they are hell bent on achieving their goals as they certainly aren’t short of a bit of cash.  Mind you, neither are Google so it would be a very exciting shoot off if it comes to it.  Personally I cant see 40% begin achievable unless Google hit the self destruct button and do something which turns people against them.