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By Jefferson Graham, USA TODAY


Internet search giant Google, which defied gravity this year, is set to become the world's most visited Internet site in 2007.

Google's revenue hit $7.2 billion for the first three quarters of 2006. Its stock topped the $500-a-share mark (now at $468). Most significant, Google in October acquired highflying video site YouTube for $1.7 billion. Measurement services ComScore Media Metrix and Nielsen/NetRatings plan to add YouTube to Google's overall rankings next year.


That "assures that Google will be No. 1 in both worldwide and U.S. visitors," says Danny Sullivan, editor of the Search Engine Land blog.
Even without YouTube, in November Google (GOOG) surpassed Yahoo for the first time as the second-most-visited site worldwide, ComScore says.


Microsoft is the top site in ComScore's worldwide rankings — fueled in part by downloads of Microsoft software updates. In the USA, ComScore has Yahoo as the top site, with 130 million visitors, to 108 million for Google.


Yahoo has been the most-visited Internet property in the USA for more than 10 years, thanks to its popular e-mail, instant messaging and directory applications. But it trails Google in revenue: Yahoo reported revenue of $4.5 billion in the first three quarters of 2006.


Google taking the No. 2 spot in worldwide traffic "is a big deal," Sullivan says. "Google's critics say the company is a one-trick pony, and is focused too much on just search. This just shows how powerful search is."
Only 10% of Yahoo's traffic comes from search, according to rival measurement firm Hitwise. At Google, meanwhile, 87% comes from search. Yahoo's top traffic generator is e-mail, at 33%.


Yahoo has struggled in the shadow of Google this year. Its revamped search advertising system was delayed until early 2007. Its stock trades at around $26 a share, from more than $40 in January. And it has announced a restructuring to get back on track.


Earlier this year, Citigroup analyst Mark Mahaney predicted Google would top Yahoo and Microsoft in traffic even without YouTube. "It's a matter of math," he says. "The Internet population is growing at 10% a year, and Google's audience is growing at 9% to 15%," compared with 6% to 12% for Yahoo, and 4% to 7% for Microsoft. He also says Google's stock will hit the $600-a-share mark by the end of 2007. "The rise in traffic shows that the new applications they've been adding are being widely accepted," he says.
Posted 12/27/2006 10:03 PM ET



Experts say Google will be No. 1 in visitors in '07 - USATODAY.com