Confirmed: Yahoo’s Dr. Qi Lu Left to Head Microsoft’s Search Efforts

Friday, December 5th, 2008 by Andy Beal

Confirmed: Yahoo’s Dr. Qi Lu Left to Head Microsoft’s Search Efforts

A couple of weeks ago, we reported on rumors that Yahoo’s Dr. Qi Lu had left the company to join Microsoft. Whether or not he left Yahoo with a Microsoft offer-letter in hand–we suspect he did–Dr. Lu has indeed resurfaced at Microsoft.

According to the official release from Microsoft:

Dr. Lu will lead Microsoft’s efforts in search and online advertising and all the company’s online information and communications services. Dr. Lu will report to Microsoft Chief Executive Officer Steve Ballmer.

Dr. Lu played an instrumental role in the development of Yahoo’s search platform, which begs the question; what did Microsoft just achieve?

Is it a) why acquire Yahoo, when you can hire the guy that built its search platform? Or b) hire the guy that built Yahoo’s search platform–which has never lived up to its full potential and still lags way behind Google.

Whatever the answer, Dr. Lu will officially start work at Microsoft on January 5th.

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13 comments on “Confirmed: Yahoo’s Dr. Qi Lu Left to Head Microsoft’s Search Efforts”

George Nobles Says:

December 5th, 2008 at 6:59 am

This is the online war where every company need expert for there company. This is the best example of it.
Nicole Price Says:

December 5th, 2008 at 8:06 am

You were indeed bang on. Good move by MS.

Nicole Price’s last blog post..Offbeat Gift Ideas
SeoBrain Says:

December 5th, 2008 at 9:56 am

Where Microsoft can’t acquisition yahoo, they hijack the yahoo people.. nice move Steve.
Jayson Says:

December 6th, 2008 at 1:26 am

Great question Andy – I guess time will tell if it was a good move, but you have to wonder how true “b” is. I guess MS figures anything is better than where we currently are. Qu Lu may have been hindered somehow over at Yahoo! hopefully this increases competition – it will only be good for all users if it does.
Saad Kamal Says:

December 6th, 2008 at 5:45 am

I think the answer is A.

Yahoo is not a bad search engine actually. Try using it for a day or two and you would notice that its not ‘that bad’ . Some may even find the results better than Google.

I guess the problem of Yahoo is somewhere else not with their Engine.

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Patrick Says:

December 6th, 2008 at 9:30 am

This is not a good sign for Yahoo. If other companies like Google and Microsoft can take some of their best workers, they will have a tough time keeping up.

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Ken @ Money From Home Blog Says:

December 6th, 2008 at 8:14 pm

That’s so funny. No wonder why they were so stern in saying that they weren’t interested in buying Yahoo anymore. Can’t wait to see how this plays out.
Jacques Seoman Says:

December 7th, 2008 at 3:43 am

And the MicroHoo saga continues…..it makes sense to recruit the designer of the race car if you can’t buy the team……much cheaper this way. I see this as a good solid foundation to maybe come up with something really competitive?
Busby SEO Says:

December 7th, 2008 at 4:33 am

“War” everywhere. This is the online war, to win every move and strategy is legal LOL

Busby SEO’s last blog post..By: Chalicious
Super Affiliate Traffic Says:

December 7th, 2008 at 5:12 pm

I am sure dr Lu has some kind of contract not allowing him to speak about Yahoo. Or, at least, I could imagine. I used to Work for Canon. Xerox approached me, but I was told by Canon to not tell anything. Contract is contract. How about dr Lu?

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Goran Web Design Says:

December 8th, 2008 at 2:31 am

I’ll believe that Microsoft can realisically compete with Google when I actually see it.. But I’m not holding my breath
George Nobles Says:

December 8th, 2008 at 3:57 am

It is really great news for the microsoft.
JT Says:

December 11th, 2008 at 2:11 am

Microsoft always “buying” the expert from other companies. That’s what they do.

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